Are you planning a Star Wars marathon, possibly from the comfort of your own home theater? Do you want to ensure you experience every twist, turn, and epic space battle in just the right order? Well, you have come to the right corner of the internet.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to watching Star Wars. The franchise has become such an integral part of pop culture that we all have our own unique way of enjoying it. Today, we will explore different viewing orders that can make your Star Wars marathon a galactic adventure.
I. Release Order: For the Traditionalists
If you are a purist who prefers to experience things the way they were initially presented to the world, then watching the Star Wars Skywalker saga in release order is your best bet.
Here’s how it goes:
- A New Hope (1977)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- The Force Awakens (2015)
- The Last Jedi (2017)
- The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
This order provides a nostalgic journey through the series as it unfolds the progression of special effects, storytelling, and character development over four decades.
II. Chronological Order: For the Story Seekers
For those who crave continuity and plot coherence, watching the Star Wars series in chronological order is the ideal route—and what creator George Lucas intended. This method helps you understand the expansive Star Wars universe from its beginnings to its latest developments.
Follow this sequence:
- The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- A New Hope (1977)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Force Awakens (2015)
- The Last Jedi (2017)
- The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
III. Machete Order: For the Adventurous
The Machete Order, proposed by software developer Rod Hilton in 2011, offers a unique way of experiencing the Star Wars saga. It focuses on the core story of Luke Skywalker while smartly introducing the prequels as an extended flashback.
Your watch list should look like this:
- A New Hope (1977)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- The Phantom Menace (1999)—optional according to Hilton
- Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Force Awakens (2015)
- The Last Jedi (2017)
- The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
IV. Ultimate Order: For the Complete Experience
If you are an ardent fan who wants to leave no stone unturned, the Ultimate Order is for you. Disney has released a ton of content since acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012, so this viewing order includes all the movies, TV shows, and spin-offs that make up the Star Wars Universe to date.
“This is where the fun begins”:
- The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Attack of the Clones (2002)
- The Clone Wars (TV Series, 2008–2020)
- Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- The Bad Batch (TV Series, 2021–present)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV Mini Series, 2022)
- Rebels (TV Series, 2014-2018)
- Andor (TV Series, 2022–present)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- A New Hope (1977)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Mandalorian Seasons 1–2 (TV Series, 2019–2020)
- The Book of Boba Fett (TV Series, 2021)
- The Mandalorian Season 3 (TV Series, 2023)
- Ahsoka (TV Series, 2023–present)
- The Force Awakens (2015)
- The Last Jedi (2017)
- The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Please note that some shows, like Andor, Ahsoka, The Bad Batch, and The Mandalorian, are still ongoing, so some story threads are unresolved.
In the end, the best way to watch Star Wars for a marathon is the one that brings you the most joy. So, pick your preferred order, grab some popcorn, and may the force be with you!
