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Correct Order To Watch Star Wars Films, Movies or Shows

By Rahul Shukla

Posted on August 26, 2021

Star Wars is a universe in itself, literally and metaphorically. It all started back in the late 1970s, and the megahype is still on. Be it Gen Zs, millennials, or Gen Y, who would not like to know about something from “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away?”

However, the Star Wars universe is huge, and understanding the sequence in which it should be watched is very important to feel the essence of the movie. If you are watching it for the first time, we advise you to watch it as per the theatrical release order. For anyone who has yet to enter the Star Wars world, the original trilogy, the big reveals (let’s keep it till there…) do work the best if they aren’t familiar with the events of the past.

However, rewatching them chronologically would be a great choice if you are already well-versed in the movies. Here is how to watch the movie Star Wars per the release order. Going to a frightening new galaxy 44 years back:

The Original Trilogy comprises of

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – Darth Vader has held Princess Leia, the leader of the Rebel Alliance, hostage. Luke and Han Solo need to free her and destroy the gigantic weapon created by the Galactic Empire.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Darth Vader is determined to turn Luke Skywalker to the dark side. Master Yoda trains Luke to become a Jedi Knight while his friends fight the Imperial fleet.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)-The Rebels plan to destroy the second Death Star while Luke tries to bring his father back.

The Prequel Trilogy comes after the first saga. It has:

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999): The Jedi Knights set out to stop the Trade Federation from invading Naboo. They meet a boy during their travels and learn that the Sith has returned.

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002): Obi-Wan uncovers an evil plot to destroy the Republics. The fate of the Galaxy is hanging in the balance, and the Jedi must do something to save it from the sinister Sith.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)-Anakin joins Obi-Wan. Together, they set Palpatine free from the evil clutches of Count Doku. But, Anakin falls prey to the mind games of Palpatine and the Jedi.

The fourth saga is the Sequel Trilogy.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)-A new order threatens the New Republic. Finn, Rey, and Poe, along with the rest, must find a way to stop them. Luke, the last surviving Jedi, needs to be found.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)-Luke Skywalker trains Rey on the Jedi’s ways to strengthen the Resistance’s power against the war with the First Order.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)-The legendary conflict of the Jedi with the Sith Lord comes to a head. The Emperor of Palpatine is revived. A battle resurrects between the Resistance and the First Order.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) are single movies set in the past.

If you are acquainted with Star Wars, you know that the real deal is watching it as per the timeline. So, to help you travel the universe, we have the Star Wars movies in chronological order.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (set 32 years before A New Hope)
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (22 years before)
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (19 years before)
Solo: A Star Wars Story (about a decade before)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (ends moments before A New Hope begins)
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Three Years after A New Hope)
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (four years after)
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (34 years after)
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (34 years after)
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (35 years after)

What to expect from the Star Wars franchise in the future?

In early 2019, Rian Johnson, the writer and director of The Last Jedi, confirmed that two more movies were in the works. As of June 2021, the projects are still active; no release date or title has yet been revealed.

In mid-2018, Lucasfilm confirmed that multiple anthology films were in production. Rogue Squadron’s potential release date is 2023. Two more films are in queue for mid-December 2025 and 2027.

Star Wars was one of the first sci-fi movies many generations saw. It is passed down in families like a legacy that needs to be continued. People of all ages, spread across three generations, are excited to see what the next story holds.