With Disney+’s latest Star Wars installments Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor streaming now, it becomes very crucial to brush up on all the storylines and tropes that we have learned from the previous Star Wars installments.
The entire franchise of Obi-Wan-Kenobi is filled with many subtle and some not-so-subtle easter eggs like when the Mandalorian goes to the Mos Eisley Cantina, we are reminded of the very first Star Wars movie.
With nine movies, two spin-offs, and a billion Disney+ shows to its name, steering through the Star Wars franchise for a newbie (or even for a veteran) can at times be more hazardous than making the Kessel Run in twelve parsecs!
Here we have assembled a list of all the popular watch orders on the internet for everyone ranging from newbies to veterans. So, select the show that fits you!
1. Release Order
The best part about not tinkering with the release order and watching it as it is that one gets to experience it the way everyone did.
We highly emphasize the fact that a newbie should watch the canon installments first and then come back for the spin-offs later.
I. Movies
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Movie (2008)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
II. TV Series
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018)
- Star Wars Resistance (2018-2020)
- The Mandalorian (2019-)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-)
- Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett (2021-)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022-)
- Andor(2022-)
Now a list that has both canon and non-canon titles included:
I. Movies
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Ewok Adventure (1984)
- Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Movie (2008)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
II. TV Series
- Star Wars: Droids (1985-1986)
- Ewoks (1985-1987)
- Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018)
- Star Wars Resistance (2018-2020)
- The Mandalorian (2019-)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-)
- Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett (2021-)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022-)
- Andor (2022-)
Watching the movies in actual order gives the audience some advantages over the chronological order. The prime one among them is Darth Vader’s twist that does not get spoiled by the painful-to-watch prequels.
And the nostalgia factor always adds a cherry on top of the cake for someone who starts watching the movies right from the very first one.
The only downside is that the order can be very confusing for newcomers with jumping timelines, sequels, and prequels popping up here and there and it becomes a little confusing to place the Disney series in the mix.
2. Chronological Watch Order
The original pilot movie of the Star Wars franchise was titled simply ‘Star Wars’ but was later revised and changed to Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope.
Thus, we see that the order of the events in the movies if lined according to their release dates doesn’t resonate with the actual chronology of the events that were happening in a galaxy far, far away.
Watching the films in Episodic order thus lines the films up chronologically and is the preferred way to go for creator George Lucas.
Here we have shown the canon and non-canon installments separately so that if someone wants to focus only on the main storyline and trim their watch time a little, they can.
I. Canon
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Movie (2008)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV Series (2008-2020)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022-)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Mandalorian (2019-)
- Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett (2021-)
- Star Wars Resistance Season 1(2018)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars Resistance Season 2 (2019)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
II. Canon and Non-Canon
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Movie (2008)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV Series (2008-2020)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Droids (1985-1986)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022-)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Ewoks (1985-1987)
- The Ewok Adventure (1984)
- Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Mandalorian (2019-)
- Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett (2021-)
- Star Wars Resistance Season 1(2018)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars Resistance Season 2 (2019)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Watching the movies in chronological order is arguably the simplest way to navigate through them. There are no flashbacks and hardly anything to confuse the newcomer into the franchise.
The transition from the movies to the Disney Plus series seems to be a hassle-free affair as well.
The only caveat is that the chronology starts with the prequels and we have all universally agreed that they are the worst things about the franchise (after Baby Boba Fett).
3. Ernest Rister Order
For all the Darth Vader fans out there, this one is for you!
Named after the forum which proposed it, the Ernst Rister order is only suitable for people who have a passing knowledge of Star Wars.
This order keeps the saga centered around Luke Skywalker and keeps the mystery around Darth Vader intact. Regular flashbacks build on the rise of Darth Vader and heighten the dopamine levels of the audience even more.
The only caveat is that there is not a good place to watch the spin-offs in this order. That is why it is not an apt one for newbies to start.
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
4. The Machete Order
Really, really dislike the prequel? Well, we have you covered!
Presenting the Machete order designed exclusively for Prequel Haters. Notice that it is almost identical to the Ernst Rister order but with the Phantom Menace removed altogether.
The only con is that you need to know what happens in the Phantom Menace as a couple of events including midi-chlorians are brought up again later in the saga.
You also miss out on the incredible Dual of the Fates.
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
5. Flashback Order
If you have watched the show but don’t know where to slot in the spin-offs, then this one is for you!
This one is again like the Ernst Rister order but with ample space to slot in the spin-offs.
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Solo (2018)
- Rogue One (2016)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode I: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
6. The Ultimate Star Wars Watch Order
All the gazillion movies, series, spin-offs, and everything in the Star Wars universe are compiled in one list. Here you go!
- Star Wars: The Acolyte (upcoming)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Lego Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles (2013-2014)
- Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace (2011)
- Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Movie (2008)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV Series (2008-2020)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Droids (1985-1986)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-)
- Solo (2018)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022-)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018)
- Andor (upcoming – 2022)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- The Star Wars: Holiday Special (1978)
- Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out (2012)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures (2016-2017)
- Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales (2015)
- Ewoks (1985-1986)
- The Ewok Adventure (1984)
- Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985)
- Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Mandalorian (2019-)
- The Book of Boba Fett (2021-)
- Ahsoka (upcoming)
- Rangers of the New Republic (upcoming)
- Star Wars: Resistance (2018-)
- Lego Star Wars: The Resistance Rises (2016)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2016)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (2017-)
Now that is a mountain to climb! But if intergalactic zip-zap-zoom intrigues you and you want to be a part of a historical franchise, then, just close your eyes and go for it!
7. Where to Watch
8. Conclusion: Which order should you follow?
The easy answer is the one that suits you. But we are not going to leave it at that!
For newbies in the franchise, I’d prefer the actual Release order over the chronological order. Firstly, the latter starts with the Phantom Menace which is widely regarded as one of the worst installments in the franchise.
Secondly, the chronological order gives away several spoilers like revealing the parentage of Luke Skywalker, etc.
But if you are one of those people whose commitment to the franchise is unparalleled, then the ultimate Star Wars watch order awaits you!
9. About Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon.
It has three trilogies at its core – Original, Prequel, and Sequel, spread across five decades and interspersed with at least a dozen spin-off series and films.
Created by George Lucas and his Lucasfilm, the franchise is currently under the Disney umbrella. All the Star Wars films and shows are now available to binge on Disney+ streaming service.
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