Star Wars is a beloved and iconic franchise that has been captivating audiences for decades. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, watching the movies in the right order can make a big difference to your experience. This article will provide a step-by-step guide to watching the Star Wars movies for the first time.
Step 1: Watch the Original Trilogy
The original trilogy consists of the movies A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983). These movies tell the story of Luke Skywalker, who joins forces with the Rebel Alliance to take on the Galactic Empire. This is the classic Star Wars story and should be watched first.
Step 2: Watch the Prequel Trilogy
The prequel trilogy consists of The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), and Revenge of the Sith (2005). These movies take place before the original trilogy, and tell the story of Anakin Skywalker, who eventually becomes the villainous Darth Vader. The prequels offer more insight into the Star Wars universe and should be watched after the original trilogy.
Step 3: Watch the Sequel Trilogy
The sequel trilogy consists of The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). These movies take place after the original trilogy, and tell the story of Rey, a young woman who discovers her own connection to the Force. The sequel trilogy should be watched after the prequel trilogy.
Step 4: Watch the Spin-Offs
There have been several Star Wars spin-offs, including Rogue One (2016), Solo (2018), and The Mandalorian (2019). These movies are not officially part of the main trilogy and can be watched in any order.
In conclusion, the best way to watch the Star Wars movies for the first time is to start with the original trilogy, followed by the prequel trilogy, and then the sequel trilogy. Finally, the spin-offs can be watched in any order. Watching the movies in this order will ensure that you get the full Star Wars experience.
Are you a Star Wars fan looking to get into the franchise but unsure where to start? With nine feature films, two anthology movies and a couple of TV series, it can be difficult to know what order to watch Star Wars for the first time.
Founded by George Lucas in 1977 with the release of Star Wars: A New Hope, the Star Wars saga is set in a distant, galaxy-spanning future in which the Empire, an autocratic government ruled by a Sith Lord, is in a long conflict with the Republic, a democratic government governing over many planets. Lucas’ tale of a far-away struggle between good and evil, has become one of the most beloved and successful cinematic sagas of all time.
The recommended viewing order for someone watching the Star Wars saga for the first time is to start with the Skywalker saga movies in chronological order, before delving into the anthology movies and TV series. Begin your journey with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, then watch Episodes II – Attack of the Clones, III – Revenge of the Sith, IV – A New Hope, V – The Empire Strikes Back, and VI – Return of the Jedi.
Once you’ve finished the story of the Skywalkers, you can move on to the anthology movies. These offer stand-alone stories in the same universe. Start with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which offers a nod to the Skywalker saga by telling the story of the daring mission that obtained the plans for the original Death Star. Next up is Solo: A Star Wars Story, focused on the iconic smuggler’s early adventures.
Finally, you can check out the TV series, starting with the Emmy-nominated The Clone Wars. The prequel series is set during the Clone Wars and follows the action of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the other heroes of the Republic. Following The Clone Wars is Star Wars Rebels, which is set five years before the events of A New Hope.
Although this recommended viewing order should get you up-to-speed with the world and characters of Star Wars, you can customize it by shifting the order of the films and TV series depending on your personal preference. Regardless, welcome to a galaxy far, far away – you’re in for a spectacular journey!
