Great debates have been had (maybe even fights) over what is the proper order to watch Star Wars. If you’re as old as I am, you didn’t get a choice. Release Order was what you got. Because in 1977, The first Star Wars was released, and that was it. After that, all remaining Star Wars watching for anyone born before May 25, 1977, was simply done in Release Order. End of story.
- Episode IV: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: 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)
But there are several schools of thought—and very strong opinions—on what order the Star Wars movies should be watched in. Release Order is certainly my preference, although I can see the affinity for one of the following newer schools of thought (Machete Order), as well.
How should you watch Star Wars
Release Order
(as listed above)
Benefits: starts with the best story, you still get the puppetry of Neal Scanlon, original charm of the stop-gap animation, and excitement of George Lucas’ original filmmaking.
Chronological Order
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Episode IV: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Benefits: if you are completely new to the Star Wars legacy and you just want to watch Star Wars to introduce kids to Star Wars, go this route. You get young Anakin, you get the story from start to finish. Kids can relate to young Anakin and they all love Jar Jar Binks (for who knows what reason). This order is for little kids and no one else.
Machete Order
- Episode IV: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: 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)
- **SKIPS Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) altogether
Benefits: You skip Episode I! I don’t think you’re missing anything personally. This order also keeps secret the fact that (spoiler alert) Luke and Leia are siblings longer and the fact that Vader is their Father. It’s an interesting order and one I can totally get behind. A lot of super fans are good with it.
In fact, get ready for my new watch order introduced below. Radical, I know.
Throwback Order
- Episode IV: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Here’s my new watch order. I’m dubbing this Throwback Order. I’m sure it won’t catch on the way Machete Order did, but I say screw it and go a step further with that Machete Order. Chuck out Episodes I, II, and III altogether. Let’s be real. Unless you live in a cave, you know Vader is Luke and Leia’s father and that Luke and Leia are twins. Also, I, II, and III are the worst of the franchise. No one likes them. No one. Show me one real Star Wars fan who loves them. Why waste your time watching them? Let’s pretend they never happened. Skip Jar Jar, skip the awful love story, terrible acting, worst CGI I’ve ever seen, and a list of other atrocities. Read them for the backstory, don’t waste your time on the horrible cinematic realization. There. You’re welcome.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS opens in theatres December 18th.
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Um, I 10000% agree with your throwback order. In fact, I wrote the same exact post this past weekend! http://www.mommysbusy.com/correct-order-viewing-star-wars-movies/
Andrew, I love it! But, dang, you don’t hold back. You’re legit, “throw out I, II, and III.” Not even pretending like they hold any value in story (because we know there’s no, ahem, cinematic value). No Release, chrono, or machete allowed. You are all in for the Throwback. Hard core. What Episodes I, II, or III?
And how have I never been to your blog until now? Embarrassing. Thank you for fixing that.