Greatest, chronological & launch date

Disney+’s latest Star Wars content material is a TV collection known as Ahsoka, which stars Rosario Dawson as Anakin Skywalker’s former Jedi Apprentice. It is the most recent in a lineup of thrilling new Star Wars installments, however to actually perceive all this contemporary content material, it is best to watch or revisit the complete Star Wars Universe. Whether or not it is the primary episode of the Mandalorian showcasing the Mos Eisley Cantina from the primary Star Wars movie or massive elements of Obi Wan Kenobi going down on the planet Coruscant from the prequel trilogy, every new version to the franchise is loaded with callbacks to all the varied installments.

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As an illustration, the occasions of The Mandalorian and The Guide of Boba Fett happen 5 years after Return of the Jedi, or close to the center of the recognized Star Wars timeline, which at the moment additionally consists of 11 characteristic movies. The critically acclaimed Disney+ collection Andor is a prequel that takes place simply earlier than Rogue One, and Rogue One is a direct prequel to the very first Star Wars movie. Confused? Effectively, when you actually need to know what is going on on, it is time for a watch or re-watch.

Daunting, proper? No worries.

Simply comply with our watch information under. A spoiler-free model is on the backside of this web page, together with another orders price contemplating – such because the chronological and theatrical order, and even the Machete and Rinster orders. (The “Machete Order” takes a machete to The Phantom Menace by reducing it out of your re-watch.) For probably the most conclusive viewing order, which incorporates all of the animated Star Wars collection so far, take a look at our Full Star Wars Saga order, which can be on the backside.

Disney+

You possibly can watch the complete Star Wars Universe on Disney+ within the US. It begins at $7.99 monthly for a subscription.

The very best Star Wars viewing order defined

There are various methods you’ll be able to revisit the Star Wars saga. You possibly can watch the films and exhibits by launch date order or in chronological order, as an illustration. Whereas the chronological order is likely to be the plain alternative, some argue it is not as pleasant since you begin with The Phantom Menace, our least-favorite movie. Watching chronologically additionally spoils the most important twist within the collection by prematurely revealing the identification of Luke’s father.

The discharge date order additionally has unsatisfying factors. The “I’m your father” shock stays intact, however the storyline is jumbled.

You hop between Episodes IV-VI (the unique trilogy launched between 1977 and 1983), then Episodes I-III (the prequel trilogy launched between 1999 and 2005), and Episodes VII-IX (the sequel trilogy launched between 2015 and 2019). After which there’s the Anthology movies: Rogue One (2016) and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). They happen between the originals and prequels however launched throughout the newest “sequel” trilogy. Plus, there are the Disney+ collection.

You possibly can see how all this turns into a multitude. This is the reason we’ve created the right order that solves these issues. We included all 11 characteristic movies in addition to The Mandalorian, The Guide of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the Andor and Ahsoka collection.

1 A New Hope

The beginning of every part

Whereas technically the sixth film, chronologically, within the Star Wars franchise, A New Hope is price visiting first in your re-watch purely as a result of it is the beginning of every part. It options the Battle of Yavin, which is the occasion Star Wars followers set up the timeline round. It’s additionally the one Star Wars movie that treats viewers as in the event that they’ve by no means watched the saga earlier than.

So, you will begin with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) assembly Obi-Wan (Alec Guinness). He will get a lightsaber from Obi-Wan and in the end learns concerning the Power and Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) from him earlier than heading off to save lots of Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and destroy the Loss of life Star.

2 Andor

Set proper earlier than the occasions of Rogue One

Andor is an espionage thriller set proper earlier than the occasions of Rogue One. It tells the story of Cassian Andor whereas additionally fleshing out the rising rebel and what life was like for common residents below the Empire. It is also a lot grittier than the opposite Disney+ collection with extra grownup themes and a surprising lack of lightsabers. It was just lately introduced that the second season of Andor will not premiere till 2025.

3 Rogue One

Crammed with A New Hope backstory

The primary of the brand new “Anthology” movies, Rogue One is full of A New Hope backstory. It follows the daughter of the Loss of life Star’s creator, Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), as she is freed by the Insurgent Alliance and tasked with discovering the plans that result in the last word weapon’s destruction.

Sure, it ends the place A New Hope begins, however as a result of it is so reliant on you figuring out A New Hope already, we expect it is best to observe them in reverse, particularly if that is your first time watching Star Wars. You may study who created the Loss of life Star, why it is so simply destroyed, and you may meet the various Bothans who died to steal the Loss of life Star plans.

4 The Empire Strikes Again

One of many best sequels of all time

We’re leaping again to the unique trilogy with The Empire Strikes Again, which is broadly thought to be one of many best sequels of all time.

After the preliminary battle on the frozen planet Hoth, Luke heads to start his Jedi coaching with Yoda, whereas Han Solo and Princess Leia head to Cloud Metropolis to satisfy with Han’s previous pal Lando Calrissian. However Han and Leia are betrayed after which used as bait by Vader to lure Luke. All of it culminates in a showdown between Vader and Luke and the reveal that Darth Vader is Luke’s father. The rationale have been slotting Episode 2 right here is that it is extra enjoyable to see the daddy reveal earlier than watching the prequel trilogy.

George Lucas did not return to direct this movie after the stress directing the primary movie and its subsequent success had on him.

5 The Phantom Menace

One of the loathed

And, similar to that, we go from one of the beloved installments of all time to probably the most loathed.

This movie follows Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his grasp Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) as they try to guard the Queen of Naboo and bump into a younger slave boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd). You are additionally compelled to sit down by two hours of Jar-Jar Binks and sleep-inducing Galactic Senate negotiations. So, when you’ve seen this movie earlier than, simply fast-forward to the lightsaber duel on the finish, which is among the finest in the complete collection.

6 Assault of the Clones

The highway that led Anakin towards the Darkish Facet

Assault of the Clones begins to point out us the highway that led Anakin towards the Darkish Facet, with the loss of life of his mom by the hands of Tuskan Raiders and his rising love affair with Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman). In the meantime, Obi-Wan Kenobi stumbles upon a clone military for the Republic that may kind the muse of the Empire’s Stormtroopers.

7 Revenge of the Sith

Closing movie of the prequel trilogy

The ultimate movie of the prequel trilogy exhibits Anakin’s coronary heart flip to black. Whereas initially excited upon listening to of his spouse Padme’s being pregnant, visions of her dying start to poison Anakin, permitting Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) to lure him to the Darkish Facet of the Power. This then results in the destruction of the Republic and the homicide of many Jedi, together with all of the younger Padawans, on the hand of the newly named Darth Vader.

8 Obi-Wan Kenobi

A continuation of the prequel trilogy

This Star Wars collection is a continuation of the prequel trilogy set round Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). It is set years after the occasions of Revenge of the Sith whereas Obi-Wan is watching over a younger Luke Skywalker on Tattooine. When a younger Princess Leia is kidnapped, Obi-Wan is compelled out of his hiding to search out the opposite Skywalker. Hayden Christensen additionally returns as Darth Vader for yet one more showdown.

9 Solo

A ton of backstory

The origin story for the good man within the Star Wars Universe offers a ton of backstory even when no person requested for all of it.

Apparently, Han Solo (Alden Ehrinreich) simply needed to behave like Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and date Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke) in his prime, which is comprehensible, nevertheless it’s a little bit eye-rolling. Nonetheless, it’s an entertaining heist movie that offers us extra details about a very powerful ship within the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, together with how Han made the Kessel Run along with her in below 12 parsecs.

10 Return of the Jedi

Luke tries to defeat his father

Now that we have discovered Darth Vader/Anakin’s background, it is time to watch him form of redeem himself with all that data in hand.

After saving Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, we see Luke making an attempt to defeat his father and the Emperor, all whereas Han and Leia work to demolish an almost accomplished second Loss of life Star. Additionally, there are teddy bears with stone-age know-how that assist destroy the Empire, too.

11 The Mandalorian Seasons 1 and a pair of

Child Yoda

This live-action Star Wars TV collection has develop into a smash hit on Disney+, and there is one very small, lovable reason for that.

The present follows Pedro Pascal because the titular Mandalorian who we ultimately study is called Din Djardin. He is a gunfighter and bounty hunter who makes his method within the furthest reaches of the galaxy 5 years after the occasions of Return of the Jedi, inserting it properly earlier than the occasions of The Power Awakens and the creation of the First Order. The second season sees Mando in search of extra data on the historical past of Child Yoda, whereas the third delves deeper within the Mandalorian house world of Mandalore.

The primary two seasons happen again to again, however the third series really takes place after the Guide of Boba Fett, which is up subsequent. You must take a break between season two and three of Mandalorian to observe that collection. Jon Favreau serves as showrunner for the collection and Dave Filoni helped to put in writing it.

12 The Guide of Boba Fett

Undoes the ending of season two of the Mandalorian

The Guide of Boba Fett, which premiered on December 29, 2021, options the return of Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett, a job he performed within the Star Wars prequel trilogy and The Mandalorian. On this collection, he groups up with Fennec Shand, portrayed by Ming-Na Wen, in an formidable plot to take over Jabba the Hutt’s former legal empire. The present affords a singular exploration of the Star Wars universe’s underworld, revealing a aspect of the galaxy not usually seen.

This collection made waves amongst Star Wars followers for its daring narrative selections, significantly in relation to The Mandalorian. On the finish of The Mandalorian’s second season, there is a vital second the place Grogu, also referred to as Child Yoda, leaves Din Djarin to begin Jedi coaching with Luke Skywalker. Nevertheless, The Guide of Boba Fett revisits and alters this plotline, unexpectedly reuniting Grogu and Din Djarin and steering away from Grogu’s anticipated path as a Jedi.

Jon Favreau, recognized for his work within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Mandalorian, serves because the showrunner for The Guide of Boba Fett.

13 The Mandalorian Season 3

Grogu and Din reunite

Earlier than leaping into season 3 of The Mandalorian, it is actually vital to atone for The Guide of Boba Fett. Here is why: On the finish of The Mandalorian season 2, there’s this actually touching second the place Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) and Grogu (Child Yoda) say goodbye. Grogu leaves with Luke Skywalker to start Jedi coaching. However, it seems, Grogu’s time with Luke leads him to a giant realization – he is meant to be a Mandalorian, not a Jedi. This choice is a game-changer, bringing him again to his adoptive dad, Din, simply in time for the beginning of season three. Given how large successful The Mandalorian is on Disney+, you will not need to miss this important piece of the story.

14 Ahsoka (2023)

Ahsoka’s post-Mandalorian Star Wars chapter

Ahsoka picks up proper the place season three of The Mandalorian leaves off. The present is all about Ahsoka Tano’s mission to search out her buddy, Ezra Bridger, who disappeared with the dangerous man Normal Thrawn right into a wormhole. For individuals who need the complete scoop on Ahsoka’s backstory, you will need to watch Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: Clone Wars. Dave Filoni, the mind behind Ahsoka and these two animated collection, even says Ahsoka is just about like a fifth season of Rebels.

To get the complete image of the place every part suits within the Star Wars timeline, it is a good suggestion to lookup a viewing information for these animated collection. Ahsoka first confirmed up in Clone Wars as Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice and shortly grew to become a fan favourite in Rebels. Now, Rosario Dawson brings her to life in live-action in Ahsoka, and you may even see a bunch of acquainted faces from Rebels popping up within the present.

15 The Power Awakens

Set 30 years after Return of the Jedi

The primary Star Wars movie made by Disney after it bought the franchise is ready 30 years after Return of the Jedi. We see that there is a new battle rising between the budding Republic, led by Leia Organa-Skywalker and The First Order, which rose from the ashes of the Empire. Caught between this all is a younger lady named Rey (Daisy Ridley) who appears to be actually robust with the Power. It was written and directed by J.J. Abrams.

16 The Final Jedi

Rey wants to influence a reluctant Luke

In The Final Jedi, Rey’s fundamental problem is to influence a reluctant Luke Skywalker to coach her within the Power. Luke, haunted by his failure with Kylo Ren and disillusioned with the Jedi Order, initially refuses. Nevertheless, Rey’s dedication and her distinctive Power connection slowly break by his resistance. On the identical time, Normal Leia Organa’s Resistance is on the breaking point, cornered by the highly effective First Order led by Supreme Chief Snoke and Kylo Ren.

With their forces dwindling, the Resistance desperately wants a breakthrough.

As Rey strives to search out her place and Luke grapples along with his previous, their paths develop into essential to the Resistance’s survival. Their choices and actions in opposition to the First Order develop into key to figuring out the galaxy’s destiny, including a way of urgency to their private journeys.

17 The Rise of Skywalker

Conclusion to the Skywalker saga

The conclusion to the Skywalker saga sees the return of Emperor Palpatine as Kylo Ren’s The First Order and the rebels led by Rey put together for a closing confrontation on the planet often called Exegol. The movie was broadly panned, however continues to be sitting at an 86 per cent ranking on Rotten Tomatoes. Nonetheless, the movie underperformed (for a Star Wars movie) on the field workplace and that, together with a number of canceled new initiatives, has led to The Rise of Skywalker being the final Star Wars movie in practically 5 years.

For extra on what’s subsequent for Star Wars, take a look at rundown of every part that is being planned in a galaxy far, far away.

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Greatest Star Wars film and present order at a look

OK, so right here is the at-a-glance, spoiler-free model of the order above:

Star Wars chronological film order at a look

If you wish to watch movies so as of the occasions that occur, and thus spoil the identification of Luke’s father for first-timers, right here you go:

Star Wars theatrical (launch date) film order at a look

That is the order through which the films have been launched in cinemas. Whereas it retains the twist of Luke’s father intact, the storyline is jumbled. You begin with the originals, then go to the prequels, and finish with the sequels. That is complicated, particularly for youths being launched to Star Wars.

Star Wars Machete order at a look

The “Machete Order” mainly cuts The Phantom Menace out of your film rewatch, as a result of many individuals do not get pleasure from that movie. It preserves the “I’m your father” second. However it was created in 2011, so it does not embody the sequels and is not a whole order.

Star Wars Rinster order at a look

OK, here’s a bonus checklist we have not talked about but: The “Rinster Order” is called after Star Wars superfan Ernest Rinster, who created it to protect the Luke-father twist, nevertheless it additionally retains The Phantom Menace. There are not any sequel movies, although, so we nonetheless choose our order.

Full Star Wars saga order at a look

Right here is an all-encompassing order – with all the films and exhibits from the Star Wars saga in chronological order. The saga started in 1977, and since then, there have been new trilogies added in addition to numerous spinoffs within the type of live-action and animated TV exhibits and flicks. Not all of them are nice, however if you wish to absorb each little bit of Star Wars (even the 1978 vacation particular), that is the chronological order for you.

Star Wars collection and restricted specials are bolded under.