Release Order Recommended
0 / 13 watchedThe order the films actually came out, starting with the original 1977 film. This is the classic way to experience the saga's big twists as intended.
Chronological Order
0 / 13 watchedThe in-universe timeline. Starts roughly a century before A New Hope and runs through the sequel trilogy. Best as a rewatch once the big reveals are no longer a surprise.
About Star Wars
Star Wars grew from a single 1977 film into three trilogies plus two standalone stories, and it is one of the few franchises where release order and chronological order genuinely disagree with each other on where to start. This guide covers the eleven core theatrical films (the three trilogies, plus Rogue One and Solo) along with the newer additions bringing the story past 2019.
Disney+ series such as The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka sit inside this same timeline and add a lot of texture, but this guide sticks to the films, since that is the fastest way to answer "what order do I watch the movies in."
Good to know
First-time viewers are usually better off with release order. Watching the originals before the prequels means the biggest reveals in The Empire Strikes Back land the way they were designed to, while chronological order trades them for a tidier timeline. Chronological order is still a strong second watch once those reveals are no longer a surprise. Starfighter is billed as a standalone era rather than a direct continuation, and its exact placement was not confirmed at the last check.
