Watch the Star Wars films in chronological sequence, or in order of release.
A Disney Plus membership is all you need to view the Star Wars films in chronological sequence. There are no Hulk or Spider-Man movies missing from the MCU, yet Star Wars has a more unified structure than the MCU. With the reappearance of the legendary Jedi master, fans will be clamouring to see the original and prequel trilogies, making this a perfect moment to catch up on the canon.
The prequel, prequel trilogy, and sequel trilogy, as well as the solo spinoffs, are all included in our guide to seeing the Star Wars movies in sequence. Keep your old VHS and DVD tapes in case you ever wish to watch the unaltered originals in stunning 4K HDR quality.
There are several methods to view the Star Wars films in chronological order, which is mostly due to the three unique trilogies being released in a non-chronological sequence. Details on how the non-mainstream Star Wars films and TV shows fit in are also available. As for what’s next, I don’t know. As soon as the Obi-Wan Kenobi programme debuts on Disney Plus, it’s going to be a high-ranking show.
In our discussion on how to watch the Star Wars films, we stated that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to experience the saga (watching them with the coolest Star Wars LEGO and other toys is optimal, though, so check out our guide to the best Star Wars Day deals). Some fans like to watch them in the sequence in which they were released, while others choose a chronological chronology, while still others prefer a mix of the two. As previously said, it’s a lot simpler than going through all of the Marvel films sequentially.
Some people, on the other hand, choose to deny the existence of certain occurrences. For your convenience and enjoyment, we’ve put together a list of the most common Star Wars viewing orders.
Where to watch the Star Wars movies in order
With Disney Plus, you can view all of the Star Wars films in sequence for a low monthly fee of $7.99 ($7.99/£7.99/AU $11.99).
The whole Skywalker saga (Episodes I-IX) as well as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Solo are available on Disney’s streaming service.
Additionally, the Star Wars films may be purchased or rented separately via various online retailers like as Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play.
Star Wars movies in order of release date
There was a prequel trilogy before a sequel trilogy in the Star Wars saga, therefore the tale is out of sequence. Chronological sequence allows you to witness the development of characters like Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi throughout the course of the Star Wars films, as well as their transformations from apprentice to sage Jedi.
Here are the Star Wars movies in chronological sequence if you choose to start at the beginning of the Skywalker Saga.
Before and after the Battle of Yavin are listed in parenthesis next to each film. Episode II: Attack of the Clones was released in 22 BBY, which indicates it occurred 22 years before to the Battle of Yavin.
A reminder that Rogue One takes place immediately before A New Hope, while The Last Jedi takes place directly after Awakening, in order to avoid any misunderstandings.
- 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)
- Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII —The Last Jedi (2017)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
In chronological sequence, the Star Wars films.
Release order is the best method to see the Star Wars films as they were first released. Personally, I’d suggest this sequence for newbies since you’ll get to see how the Star Wars tale has progressed over time.
The original trilogy, the prequels, and The Force Awakens and its sequel are all here in chronological sequence.
- 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)
- Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII —The Last Jedi (2017)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars movies in machete order
As first proposed by fan Rod Hilton, the “machete order” combines release and chronological order to retain The Empire Strikes Back’s great surprise while still offering some context via the prequels.
There is a Machete order for the original trilogy that begins with A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, then returns to A New Hope and The Empire Struggles Back, and finally returns to the present with Return of the Jedi.
Yes, The Phantom Menace is not included on this list because some fans believe it isn’t necessary to the overall story (sorry, Jar Jar). It’s important to bear in mind that this sequence was put up a long time ago, so it doesn’t include the sequel trilogy or spin-off films (as well as subsequent Star Wars programmes on TV and Disney Plus).
- 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)
Upcoming Star Wars movies
Forget everything you’ve read about these new Star Wars films. Those December 2022, 2024, and 2026 release dates are out of the question today. It’s possible some of the agreements have been struck, but not all of the specifics have been finalised. What we know thus far:
Marvel filmmaker Patty Jenkins will helm Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, which will be released on Christmas Day, 2023. This was announced during Disney’s 2020 Investors’ Meeting. Rogue Squadron was put on hold as a result of internal concerns, but this seems to have lasted the test of time.
Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, What We Do in the Shadows) also has a new Star Wars movie in the works, as revealed by Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy. Production has already started, despite Kennedy’s claim that Waititi is still working on the script.
It was believed that Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi) may helm an entire new Star Wars trilogy, which would stoke the flames of those who have publicly criticised TLJ. However, according to sources, those films have been put on hold.
Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, has signed on to direct a Star Wars film alongside Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm, Variety reports.
Old and new Star Wars television series
Of course, the Star Wars world isn’t only movies; there are a number of live-action and animated television programmes that have been established as canonical entries in the narrative. Furthermore, all of them can be accessed through Disney+. As a starting point, here’s a rundown of some of the most important shows:
Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano are the stars of this famous animated series set between Episodes II and III of the Star Wars saga. Disney Plus has all seven seasons.
Between Episodes III and IV, a rag-tag collection of warriors, including Ezra Bridger, Hera Syndulla, and Kannan Jarrus, combat a budding Galactic Empire in Star Wars: Rebels.
Following the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch introduced in Clone Wars, this animated series explores the Bad Batch’s journey.
Learn what Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) did between Episodes III and IV after the killing of the Jedi by the Empire. Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the original films, will reprise his role in the new series. Coming on May 27th, 2022..
For this prequel to Rogue One, we anticipate it to take place between Episodes III and IV. Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and K2S0 (Alan Tudyk) are the stars.
After the events of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, a lone bounty hunter is left to fend for himself in the post-Empire world of The Mandalorian. During season 3, what will Din Djarin and Grogu be up to?
The Mandalorian introduced us to Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s former Jedi padawan. As a result, she now has her own television programme.
This spinoff follows Boba Fett and Fennec Shand, a bounty hunter and Fennec’s partner-in-buttkicking in The Mandalorian. The reviews were, to put it mildly, a mixed bag.
Justin Simien’s Lando Star Wars series has little specifics so yet (Dear White People). Nobody knows whether Billy Dee Williams or Donald Glover will return to play the charming rogue in the next instalment.
Consider cancelling Disney Plus if you don’t have enough new Star Wars to watch (which you could also do by calling up Disney Plus customer service).