4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9
Doesn’t make sense, right? Well, apparently this is the release order for Star Wars movies. The original trilogy movies were actually movie no. 4, 5, 6. Then came the prequels to give a back story, followed by movies 7, 8, and 9.
Not only this but a few animated series ‘The Clone Wars’, standalone movies like ‘Rogue One’ and ‘Solo’ and standalone series like ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Bad Batch’ were also added to the Star Wars universe.
But the question remains, what is the best way and how to watch star wars in order?
There are many ways but the one that helps you make sense of all the jumbled-up movies is the chronological order. This will help you understand the universe and help fit in the timeline and plots of the new movies as they are released.
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Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The first film in chronological order, The Phantom Menace is set 32 years before the original trilogy. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn along with his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi are tasked to protect Queen Padme Amidala of Naboo amidst an interplanetary trade dispute that can lead to invasion of Naboo.
They are joined by Anakin Skywalker, who quickly rises in the ranks of Jedi.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of The Clones
Set 10 years after ‘The Phantom Menace’, the majority of the planets have opted out of the Galactic Republic and joined the confederacy, but this has brought the galaxy to the brink of a civil war. Followed by an assassination attempt on Senator Padme Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi is tasked to investigate the accident and Anakin Skywalker to protect the senator.
Obi-Wan discovers a secret clone army of the republic and the threat of war.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of Sith
3 years after the ‘Clone Wars’, a war led by the Galactic Republic against the separatist movement, Obi-Wan Kenobi is dispatched to eliminate the separatist leader and put an end to the war.
On the other hand, Anakin Skywalker, whose wife Padme Amidala has recently died in childbirth, is tasked to spy on the supreme chancellor of the Galactic Republic, but the supreme chancellor manipulates Anakin into the dark side and makes him his apprentice, Darth Vader.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (Standalone)
Although a standalone movie, Solo is set 10 years prior to the original Star Wars trilogy (Episode IV, Episode V, Episode VI).
The movie explores the early adventures of Han Solo and his friend Chewbacca as they work in the criminal underworld.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Set just a few weeks before Episode IV the story follows a group of rebels that come together to steal plans for the Death Star, the most feared superweapon of the Galactic Empire.
And how the Rebel Alliance gets their first effective victory against the Galactic Republic.
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Continuing the story from Rogue One, the schematic of the Death Star stolen by the Rebel Alliance was transferred to 2 droids R2-D2 and C-3PO. Luke Skywalker comes in possession of the 2 droids.
On his way to hand over the droids to the Rebel Alliance, Luke is joined by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and rebellion leader Princess Leia.
Meanwhile, Darth Vader is in pursuit of the schematics and rebellion secret base.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Set 3 years after Episode IV, the conflict between the Galactic Republic and Rebel Alliance turns into a full-fledged war.
Luke Skywalker comes under the apprenticeship of Jedi master Yoda, who trains him to control the force.
The movie has the biggest reveal of the whole Star Wars universe, i.e. Darth Vader is the father of Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Set 1 year after ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ the Galactic Republic, under the orders of the Emperor, is rebuilding the Death Star in order to eliminate the Rebel Alliance entirely.
And the emperor wants to personally oversee the finalization of the Death Star. Rebel Alliance on the other hand plans to destroy the Death Star and kill the emperor in order to bring an end to the war.
Luke finds out that Princess Leia is his twin sister as he struggles to bring his father Darth Vader back to the light side of the force.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Set 30 years after ‘Return of the Jedi’ the 7th Episode follows the aftermath of the war, in which after the Galactic Republic is defeated, a small successor group called ‘First Order’ is formed that continues fighting the Rebel Alliance.
Meanwhile, Han Solo along with his group is in search of Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
The First Order begins to get an upper hand over the resistance, Rey seeks Luke Skywalker’s help, who is in self-imposed exile, to teach her to become a Jedi in order to defeat the First Order.
The film houses Carrie Fisher’s posthumous performance, as the film was released 1 year after her death.
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Emperor of the Galactic Republic, Palpatine, reveals that he was alive all this time and was secretly controlling the First Order.
Rey, General Leia, and others get to know that the emperor is still alive and they plan on finding his location and finishing him.
Meanwhile, Kylo Ren comes to the light side of the Force and reclaims his identity as Ben Solo.
Once the location of the emperor has known the resistance attacks with full force and after an epic battle, the emperor dies and so does the First Order, while resistance is victorious in the whole galaxy.
This movie is the final episode of 9 part ‘Skywalker Saga,
But this is not the only order in which you can watch Star Wars.
Theatrical Release
One very obvious order is the theatrical release one which goes like
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of Jedi
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Rogue One
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Solo
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Machete Order
Another popular viewing order is the Machete Order. This order focuses entirely on Luke Skywalker’s story and preserves the biggest reveal on the Star Wars Universe i.e. Darth Vader is the father of Luke Skywalker.
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of Jedi
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
The Machete Order brings in Episodes II and III as a flashback for Anakin Skywalker’s story. Because of which it gives the story a proper narrative and structure.
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