If you’re a fan of the Star Wars franchise, you might have noticed that there are many movies, TV shows, and spin-offs that are set in the same universe. With so much content to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start or how to watch the movies in order. In this tutorial, we’ll discuss the correct Star Wars movie order and provide some insights into why it matters.
Why Does the Order Matter?
Before we dive into the correct movie order, let’s talk about why it’s important. The Star Wars franchise has been around for over four decades and has a complex storyline that spans across multiple mediums. Watching the movies out of order can lead to confusion and may impact your understanding of the story.
For example, if you watch Episode VI: Return of the Jedi before Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, you’ll miss out on key developments in the plot and character arcs. Additionally, watching prequels before sequels may impact your emotional investment in characters since you’ll already know their ultimate fate.
The Correct Star Wars Movie Order
The correct Star Wars movie order is as follows:
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
This order follows the chronological order of events in the Star Wars universe, starting with the prequels and ending with the sequels. Solo and Rogue One are spin-off movies that take place between Episodes III and IV and just before Episode IV, respectively.
Alternative Viewing Orders
While the chronological order is the most straightforward way to watch Star Wars, there are other viewing orders that you can consider. Here are a few examples:
The Machete Order
The Machete Order is a popular viewing order that was proposed by Rod Hilton in 2011. This order aims to improve the pacing of the story by skipping Episode I entirely. Here’s how it works:
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
By skipping over Episode I, the Machete Order aims to preserve the surprise of certain plot twists while still providing enough backstory for the main characters.
The Release Order
The Release Order is another option that involves watching the movies in the order they were released. Here’s how it works:
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- The Clone Wars animated series (2008-2014)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
This order provides an authentic viewing experience and allows you to see how the franchise evolved over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are multiple ways to watch Star Wars depending on your preference. While watching in chronological order is recommended for first-time viewers, alternative viewing orders such as Machete Order or Release Order can provide a unique and enjoyable experience.
Regardless of which order you choose, make sure to have fun and enjoy the epic adventure that is Star Wars. May the Force be with you!
