What Is the Best Order to Watch the Star Wars Series?

If you're new to Star Wars, figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. With three trilogies, spin-off films, and TV shows, there are multiple ways to experience the epic saga. Watching in the right order can make a huge difference, preserving key twists and making the story flow more naturally.

So, what is the best way for first-time viewers to watch Star Wars? Let’s break it down.

Why Does the Star Wars Watch Order Matter?

Unlike most movie franchises, Star Wars wasn’t released in chronological order. The original trilogy came first, followed by the prequels, and then the sequels. Because of this, watching in different orders can lead to very different experiences.

Some orders preserve surprises, while others offer a smoother chronological story. Choosing the right order can enhance your first viewing.

The Best Star Wars Watch Order for Beginners

For first-time viewers, the Machete Order is the best way to watch Star Wars. It keeps the biggest surprises intact while creating a strong narrative structure.

Machete Order (Recommended for First-Timers)

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – Episode IV

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Episode V

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) – Episode II

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005) – Episode III

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) – Episode VI

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) – Episode VII

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) – Episode VIII

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) – Episode IX

Why Is the Machete Order the Best for First-Time Viewers?

✅ Preserves the Biggest Twist – The shocking reveal about Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back remains a surprise.

✅ Uses Prequels as a Flashback – Watching Episodes II and III after Empire deepens the emotional impact of Anakin Skywalker’s downfall and redemption.

✅ Skips The Phantom Menace – This film isn’t essential for the overall story and is often considered one of the weaker entries in the saga.

✅ Smooth Character Development – This order focuses on the journey of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader while keeping Luke Skywalker’s story intact.

By following this order, first-time viewers get the best balance of story, suspense, and emotional payoff.

Other Popular Ways to Watch Star Wars

While Machete Order is great for first-timers, there are other ways to watch Star Wars:

• Release Order (The Classic Experience)

This order follows the original release schedule, letting you experience Star Wars as audiences did when the movies first came out.

📌 Episodes IV → V → VI → I → II → III → VII → VIII → IX

Pros: Preserves the way Star Wars unfolded in real-time and keeps the early surprises intact.

Cons: Jumping back to the prequels after the original trilogy can feel disjointed.

• Chronological Order (Full Story in Timeline Order)

This order follows the Star Wars timeline from start to finish.

📌 Episodes I → II → III → IV → V → VI → VII → VIII → IX

Pros: Makes the story flow chronologically without time jumps.

Cons: The Darth Vader twist in Empire Strikes Back is spoiled early.

• Order (Complete Star Wars Experience)

For those who want to watch everything—including movies, spin-offs, and TV series—this is the full chronological order:

📌 The Phantom Menace → Attack of the Clones → The Clone Wars (TV) → Revenge of the Sith → The Bad Batch (TV) → Solo: A Star Wars Story → Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV) → Star Wars Rebels (TV) → Rogue One: A Star Wars Story → A New Hope → The Empire Strikes Back → Return of the Jedi → The Mandalorian (TV) → The Book of Boba Fett (TV) → Ahsoka (TV) → The Force Awakens → The Last Jedi → The Rise of Skywalker

Pros: The most complete way to experience Star Wars.

Cons: Very long and not ideal for first-time viewers.

Final Verdict: The Best Order for First-Time Viewers

If you’re watching Star Wars for the first time, the Machete Order is the best way to go. It provides an engaging narrative while preserving key twists and emotional moments.

Once you’ve finished the main saga, you can explore spin-offs like Rogue One, Solo, and The Mandalorian.