For those new to Star Wars, it can be confusing to work out which movie or TV series to watch first.
Start with the oldest film? That’s Episode IV. The Disney Plus shows? They’re set before the most recent movies.
What about the animated series, are they just for kids? Or can adults enjoy them too?
While there’s no official right answer, most fans would agree the best way to watch Star Wars is to begin with the original trilogy.
These three films are the heart of the Star Wars universe and a major part of movie history. The rest of the films and TV series should then be watched in chronological order.
Best Star Wars Watch order (spoilers!)
The list below is the chronological order of Star Wars films, live-action, and animated TV series. As per the red arrow, it’s best to begin with the original trilogy.
Beginning with Star Wars: A New Hope will help introduce you to the main themes and characters of Star Wars.
There are a number of big reveals in the original trilogy that will be spoiled by watching in chronological order.
These include the identity of Luke Skywalker’s father and twin sister, and Yoda’s identity.
| Watch Order | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope |
| 2 | Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back |
| 3 | Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi |
| 4 | Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace |
| 5 | Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones |
| 6 | The Clone Wars |
| 7 | Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of The Sith |
| 8 | The Bad Batch |
| 9 | Obi-Wan Kenobi |
| 10 | Solo: A Star Wars Story |
| 11 | Star Wars Rebels |
| 12 | Andor |
| 13 | Rogue One |
| 14 | The Mandalorian |
| 15 | The Book of Boba Fett |
| 16 | Star Wars Resistance |
| 17 | Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens |
| 18 | Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi |
| 19 | Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker |
Read more: LEGO Star Wars 2022 Advent Calendar Full Review (Close-up Images and analysis of days 1-24)
You can decide how deep you want to go – whether you want to watch just the nine Skywalker saga films or every bit of official Star Wars media ever released.
Or perhaps do a deep dive into your favorite era – prequels, originals, or sequels – after finishing the main films.
But first, let’s get to know the difference between the prequels and the sequels, Rebels, and Resistance.
What are the different kinds of Star Wars films and TV shows?
The first Star Wars film was made almost 50 years ago. Since then, there have been 11 theatrical films, four live-action TV series, one animated film, four animated TV series (with more to come), and many short spin-off series for children.
| Media Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Prequel trilogy films (Skywalker Saga) | 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 |
| Original trilogy films (Skywalker Saga) | 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) |
| Sequel trilogy films (Skywalker Saga) | Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) |
| Anthology films | Rogue One (2016) Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018 |
| Live action series | The Mandalorian (2019-20) The Book of Boba Fett (2021) Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) Andor (2022) |
| Animated series | Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-20) Star Wars Rebels (2014-18) Star Wars Resistance (2018) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021) |
There are many more films and shows in production or scheduled for the future.
Most of Star Wars is set during the three-generation Skywalker saga, spanning 67 years.
19 Star Wars films and shows in best watch order
All Star Wars movies and TV series in this list can be streamed from Disney+.
1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
| Media: | film (original trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 25 May, 1977 |
| Runtime: | 121 minutes |
| Special Editions: | 3 (1997, 2004, 2006) |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.6 |
The film that started at all. In a Galaxy far, far away, farm boy Luke Skywalker embarks on a mission to rescue Princess Leia from the Galactic Empire. On the way he befriends smuggler Han Solo, learns about the Force from Obi-Wan Kenobi, and becomes a hero of the Rebel Alliance.
A New Hope, originally simply titled Star Wars, was a surprise smash hit – a global phenomenon and one of the most influential films of all time.
2. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
| Media: | film (original trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 17 May, 1980 |
| Runtime: | 124 minutes |
| Special Editions: | 3 (1997, 2004, 2006) |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.7 |
The Rebel Alliance fight, and lose, to the Empire on the icy planet Hoth. Luke meets the mysterious Jedi Master Yoda, and begins his training. Leia, Han and the others flee to Cloud City to escape Darth Vader – but a terrible surprise is waiting for them….
The Empire Strikes Back is the darkest of the original trilogy movies, and widely considered to be the best of all Star Wars films.
3. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
| Media: | film (original trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 23 May, 1983 |
| Runtime: | 131 minutes |
| Special Editions: | 3 (1997, 2004, 2006) |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.3 |
Luke, Leia and friends recue Han from Jabba the Hutt. The rebels go to Endor as part of a mission to destroy the Empire’s second Death Star. Luke faces Darth Vader again – and Emperor Palpatine himself.
Return of the Jedi was another critical and box office success, and the last live action Star Wars for the next 16 years.
4. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
| Media: | film (prequel trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 16 May, 1999 |
| Runtime: | 136 minutes |
| Special Editions: | 1 (2011) |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.5 |
Two Jedi Knights embark on a mission to help the besieged planet of Naboo. They meet a boy, Anakin Skywalker, with remarkable Force powers. Meanwhile, a secret Sith Lord slowly rises to power.
The Phantom Menace was massively hyped leading up to release, and had a mixed reception from critics and fans.
5. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
| Media: | film (prequel trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 12 May, 2002 |
| Runtime: | 142 minutes |
| Special Editions: | 1 (2011) |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.6 |
A now adult Anakin falls in love with Senator Padme Amidala, and begins to struggle with his dark side. Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a secret army of clones on the ocean planet Kamino, and crosses lightsabers with villainous Count Dooku.
Like The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones was not well received by critics or fans – but has retrospectively been loved and recognize as an essential part of Star Wars.
6. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
| Media: | animated series |
| Original Release : | 3 October, 2008 – 4 May, 2020 |
| # of Seasons: | 7 |
| # of Episodes: | 133 |
| Runtime: | 22 minutes |
| Movies: | 1 (2008) |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.4 |
Set mostly in between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, The Clone Wars introduced hugely popular characters such as Ahsoka Tano, Cad Bane and Captain Rex.
The series began as three-minute shorts made for Cartoon Network in 2003.
Following that, The Clone Wars was rebooted in 2008 with a theatrically released animated film. Seven seasons with 133 episodes followed.
7. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of The Sith
| Media: | film (prequel trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 12 May, 2005 |
| Runtime: | 140 minutes |
| Special Editions: | 1 (2011) |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.6 |
Anakin is slowly groomed to the dark side, as Chancellor Palpatine exploits his fear of the now-pregnant Padme dying. Obi-Wan Kenobi defeats General Grievous, but can he and Padme save Anakin before it’s too late?
Revenge of the Sith is considered the best movie of the prequel trilogy, and the darkest film in the entire Skywalker Saga.
8. The Bad Batch
| Media: | animated series |
| Original Release : | 4 May, 2021 – 13 August, 2021 |
| # of Seasons: | 1 |
| # of Episodes: | 18 |
| Runtime: | 22-75 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.8 |
A spin-off from The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch explores the adventures of five elite clone troopers after the events of Revenge of the Sith.
They are also joined by Omega, a young female clone. Season one of the Bad Batch had 16 episodes, with season two premiering in 2022.
9. Obi-Wan Kenobi
| Media: | live action series |
| Original Release : | 27 May, 2022 – 22 June, 2022 |
| # of Seasons: | 1 |
| # of Episodes: | 6 |
| Runtime: | 36-53 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.1 |
Originally planned as an anthology film, Obi-Wan Kenobi is about the latter’s life 10 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith.
Ewan MacGregor and Hayden Christianson reprise their roles and – to the delight of fans everywhere – once again cross lightsabers.
The series also prominently features a young Princess Leia along with original characters like Reva Sevander and Tala Durith.
10. Solo: A Star Wars Story
| Media: | film (anthology) |
| Original Release : | 10 May, 2018 |
| Runtime: | 135 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.9 |
Solo: A Star Wars Story is an origin story for Han Solo, focusing on how he met Chewbacca and acquired the Millennium Falcon. We also meet his first love, Qi’ira, and his mentor, Tobias Beckett.
It performed poorly at the box office. Following its release, Disney abandoned plans for more Star Wars Anthology films.
They instead focused on developing content for its new TV streaming service, Disney Plus.
11. Star Wars Rebels
| Media: | animated series |
| Original Release : | 16 October, 2014 – 5 May, 2018 |
| # of Seasons: | 4 |
| # of Episodes: | 77 |
| Runtime: | 22 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 8 |
This four-season series is about original and existing characters within the Rebel Alliance.
The 75 episodes of Star Wars Rebels are set 14 years after Revenge of the Sith and five years before A New Hope.
Popular new characters introduced in Rebels include Jedi Ezra Bridger and Mandalorian warrior Sabine Wren. Rebels also reintroduced Star Wars Legends character Grand Admiral Thrawn.
12. Andor
| Media: | live action series |
| Original Release : | 21 September, 2022 – 23 November, 2022 |
| # of Seasons: | 1 |
| # of Episodes: | 12 |
| Runtime: | 38-54 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.1 |
A spy/thriller series about young Cassian Andor and the beginnings of the Rebel Alliance. Mon Mothma, from Return of the Jedi, also appears, along with new characters Luthen Rael and Syril Karn.
Andor has received wide critical acclaim, and will return for a second season in 2024.
13. Rogue One
| Media: | film (anthology) |
| Original Release : | 10 December, 2016 |
| Runtime: | 133 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.8 |
Rogue One is set (literally just seconds) before A New Hope, telling the story of how the Rebel Alliance stole the Death Star plans. Jyn Erso joins the Rebel Alliance, and together with Cassian Andor and a team of unlikely heroes pulls off one of the Galaxy’s greatest missions.
Rogue One was both a critical and box office success, and is considered one of the best Star Wars films ever made.
At this point in your Star Wars viewing journey, you may wish to re-watch the original trilogy. Star Wars Episodes IV, V and VI follow chronologically here.
14. The Mandalorian
| Media: | live action series |
| Original Release : | 12 November, 2019 – 18 December, 2020 |
| # of Seasons: | 2 |
| # of Episodes: | 16 |
| Runtime: | 30-50 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.7 |
Set six years after Return of the Jedi, The Mandalorian chronicles the adventures of Din Djarin and ‘Baby Yoda’ Grogu.
The series was a huge success, with a second season in 2020. A third season is also currently in production.
The Mandalorian mixed original characters with appearances from fan favourites. These included Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett and also Ahsoka Tano, the latter in her first live-action appearance.
Read more: Yoda vs Grogu: Are They Related?
15. The Book of Boba Fett
| Media: | live action series |
| Original Release : | 29 December, 2021 – 9 February, 2022 |
| # of Seasons: | 1 |
| # of Episodes: | 7 |
| Runtime: | 39-61 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.3 |
A seven-part “spin-off” from The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett explores the titular character’s adventures on Tatooine.
The story also includes flashbacks to how Boba escaped the sarlacc from Return of the Jedi, and his time living with a Tusken Raider tribe.
Episodes five, six and seven prominently feature Din Djarin and Grogu, and are essential viewing prior to season three of The Mandalorian.
16. Star Wars Resistance
| Media: | animated series |
| Original Release : | 7 October, 2018 – 26 January, 2020 |
| # of Seasons: | 2 |
| # of Episodes: | 40 |
| Runtime: | 22 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 5.2 |
Set just before, during and around The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, Star Wars Resistance is about an X-wing pilot recruited to spy on the First Order.
The series ran for two seasons and had 40 episodes.
17. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
| Media: | film (sequel trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 14 December, 2015 |
| Runtime: | 138 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.8 |
Thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi, the galaxy has a new enemy – the First Order. Finn, a stormtrooper on the run, crosses paths with a desert scavenger called Rey. Together, they begin a journey that will have consequences for the whole galaxy.
The Force Awakens, like the Phantom Menace, was massively hyped. This was particularly due to the return of the original trilogy’s main characters – Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher and Han Solo. It was a critical and box office success.
18. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
| Media: | film (sequel trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 9 December, 2017 |
| Runtime: | 152 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.9 |
The Resistance struggles to escape the wrath of the First Order after destroying Starkiller Base. Rey struggles to convince a reclusive Luke Skywalker to train her as a Jedi, while developing a strange bond with Kylo Ren.
The Last Jedi was critically acclaimed and performed well at the box office – but was hugely divisive amongst fans.
19. Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
| Media: | film (sequel trilogy) (Skywalker Saga) |
| Original Release : | 16 December, 2019 |
| Runtime: | 141 minutes |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.5 |
A half-dead Palpatine is revealed to be the true power behind the First Order. Rey, Finn and Poe must work against time to save the Galaxy from destruction. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren is desperate for Rey to join him.
The Rise of Skywalker was the least successful of the sequel trilogy films, both critically and at the box office. Many fans thought it a rushed an underwhelming finale for the Skywalker Saga.
Animated kids’ series and non-canon shows
There are numerous animated Star Wars shorts made for children, or not canon.
These are not included in this article’s chronological order of Star Wars films and show, as it would otherwise be too long. Examples include:
- Ewoks (1985) and Droids (1985) – The first two animated Star Wars spin-offs. Ewoks, which ran for two seasons and 26 episodes, was set prior to the events of Return of the Jedi. Droids was about the adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2, and ran for one season with 13 episodes.
- Forces of Destiny (2017) – animated shorts focused on female Star Wars characters. There were two seasons with 32 episodes made for the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel.
- Star Wars Roll Out (2019) – a web series for the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel. The 16 episodes were short, humorous stories with characters drawn in the style of BB-8.
- Star Wars: Visions (2021) – an anthology series of nine original Star Wars stories, made as amines by multiple Japanese animation studios. A second season will be released in 2023.
Whether you just want to watch the movies, the shows, or every single episode of The Clone Wars, the Star Wars universe offers a huge range of stories for everyone.
Ground yourself by beginning with the 1977 Star Wars: A New Hope. And then, as Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke – “Feel, don’t think, use your instincts”.
Enjoy your time in the Galaxy far, far away.