How to Watch Star Wars in Order
If you’re pondering over the Star Wars watch order, you’ve navigated to the perfect star system. Star Wars, one of the most epic sagas in the film galaxy, calls for a watch order as grand and enthralling as its storyline. The watch order can greatly impact your understanding and enjoyment of the series.
Rest assured, this article will guide you through the galaxies and provide the best viewing experience, even though the release and chronological orders are not the same. Without further ado, let’s plot our course through the Star Wars saga.
How to Watch Star Wars in Release Order
Watching Star Wars in the order they emerged from the celestial studio gates brings a certain nostalgia and chronological respect. This order allows you to journey through the Star Wars universe just as audiences did from the late 70s onward, experiencing the evolution of filmmaking and narrative unfolding in its original form.
Star Wars Release Order
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope [May 25, 1977 | Movie | 121min. | ★8.6 (1, 235, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [May 21, 1980 | Movie | 124min. | ★8.7 (1, 145, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi [May 25, 1983 | Movie | 131min. | ★8.3 (949, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace [May 19, 1999 | Movie | 136min. | ★6.5 (731, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones [May 16, 2002 | Movie | 142min. | ★6.5 (627, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith [May 19, 2005 | Movie | 140min. | ★7.5 (715, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens [December 18, 2015 | Movie | 138min. | ★7.8 (880, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi [December 15, 2017 | Movie | 152min. | ★6.9 (586, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker [December 20, 2019 | Movie | 142min. | ★6.5 (386, 000)]
How to Watch Star Wars in Chronological Order
If you wish to experience the saga through the same temporal lens as the characters, the Star Wars chronological order is your chosen path. This approach aligns the narrative with the internal timeline, offering a seamless story progression that unravels the universe’s lore from the rise of Anakin Skywalker to the legacy of his descendants.
Star Wars Chronological Order
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace [May 19, 1999 | Movie | 136min. | ★6.5 (731, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones [May 16, 2002 | Movie | 142min. | ★6.5 (627, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith [May 19, 2005 | Movie | 140min. | ★7.5 (715, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope [May 25, 1977 | Movie | 121min. | ★8.6 (1, 235, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [May 21, 1980 | Movie | 124min. | ★8.7 (1, 145, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi [May 25, 1983 | Movie | 131min. | ★8.3 (949, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens [December 18, 2015 | Movie | 138min. | ★7.8 (880, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi [December 15, 2017 | Movie | 152min. | ★6.9 (586, 000)]
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker [December 20, 2019 | Movie | 142min. | ★6.5 (386, 000)]
Recommended Star Wars Watch Order for the Best Experience
For newcomers to the galaxy far, far away, the best watch order intertwines the awe of release with the logic of chronology. This allows for natural narrative tension and the preservation of pivotal reveals. This hybrid approach, often referred to in fan circles as the ‘Machete Order’, cuts through the narrative weeds and gets to the heart of the Skywalker saga, skipping over potential story slowpokes. It is accommodating for both first-time viewers and those returning to the stars. The key here is to compare **release order vs chronological order** and approach the series in a way that maintains the storyline’s potency.
Overview of the Plot, Storyline, and Key Elements of Star Wars
What sets Star Wars apart is its timeless tale of good versus evil, brought to life with groundbreaking visual effects and iconic characters. At its core are themes of heroism, redemption, and the struggle for freedom against tyranny. Each installment expands on a vast universe brimming with diverse planets, cultures, and creatures.
For fans of space operas and tales of knights and rogues, Star Wars taps into the same vein that fuels classics like “Dune” and “The Lord of the Rings”, while remaining distinct in its portrayal of the Force, lightsaber battles, and space dogfights.
How Much Time Will It Take to Complete Star Wars?
Watching a Star Wars marathon is a commitment of around 20 hours and 39 minutes, without considering the various TV shows and spin-offs that add layers of depth to the lore. It’s a journey worth every second, immersing viewers in a saga that spans galaxies and decades.
Conclusion
Navigating the Star Wars watch order is like charting a course through the stars. This guide aims to offer you a hyperdrive jump straight into the heart of the franchise. Whether through the release or chronological order, your path will undoubtedly lead to entertainment of planetary proportions. So ignite your lightsabers, prepare your starfighters, and may the Force be with you as you explore the expansive Star Wars universe.
