Star Wars Watch Order

If you want to watch the Star Wars franchise, there isn’t just one way to do it. Depending on whether you want the purest narrative experience, the original theatrical release order, or the famous “flashback” method, here are the main ways to watch the saga.

1. Chronological Order (In-Universe Timeline)

This follows the storyline chronologically from the fall of the Republic to the rise of the Resistance.

1. Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
2. Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
3. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
4. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) – (Set between Ep. III and IV)
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) – (Leads directly into Ep. IV)
6. Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
7. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
8. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
9. Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
10. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
11. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

2. Release Order (How Fans Originally Watched)

Recommended for first-time viewers. It preserves major plot twists and allows you to watch the special effects evolve over time.

The Original Trilogy:

1. Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
2. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
3. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)

The Prequel Trilogy: 4. Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) 5. Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) 6. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

The Disney Era & Sequel Trilogy: 7. Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) 8. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) 9. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) 10. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) 11. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

3. The Machete Order (The Flashback Method)

Created by fans, this order treats the Prequel Trilogy as an extended “flashback” right after the massive twist at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, before finishing Luke’s story in Return of the Jedi.

(Note: The original Machete Order skips Episode I completely because its plot is mostly self-contained, but you can keep it if you want the full story).

1. Episode IV: A New Hope – (Establishes Luke Skywalker and the galaxy)
2. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – (Ends on the big twist about Luke’s father)
3. Episode II: Attack of the Clones – (Flashback: Shows Anakin’s downfall)
4. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – (Flashback: Shows how Anakin became Darth Vader)
5. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi – (Picks back up in the present to resolve Luke and Vader’s story)
6. Sequel Trilogy (Episodes VII–IX) – (Optional continuation)