The Best Order to Introduce Your Children to the Star Wars Saga

The Star Wars saga has captivated the imaginations of generations, and introducing this beloved universe to your children can be a thrilling experience. There are several popular viewing orders when it comes to the Star Wars films. Each method offers a unique way to experience the stories, from the order of release to following the in-universe chronology. Here, we explore these popular viewing orders and recommend the Release Order as the best choice for children new to the series.

Popular Viewing Orders for Star Wars

Release Order

The Release Order is the most traditional and nostalgic approach to watching the Star Wars saga. This method aligns with how the films were originally released, allowing viewers to experience the magic and surprise as audiences did when the movies first came out. By adhering to this order, children can discover the films in the series' intended sequence, including the twists in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and the epic conclusion in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) Episode V: The 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) Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Chronological Order

The Chronological Order follows the in-universe timeline, presenting the stories in the order they occurred within the Star Wars saga. This method can be more engaging for children who are interested in the characters' development and the overall narrative, as it provides a continuous flow of events. However, it can also be more challenging for newer viewers to keep track of the time line.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace Episode II: Attack of the Clones Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Episode IV: A New Hope Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Episode VII: The Force Awakens Episode VIII: The Last Jedi Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Machete Order

The Machete Order is a popular choice among fans who want to skip certain films, particularly Episode I: The Phantom Menace, which some consider less essential. This method focuses on the main story arcs, allowing children to enjoy the core episodes without feeling overwhelmed. It can be a good option if you want to create a more manageable introduction to the saga.

Episode IV: A New Hope Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Episode II: Attack of the Clones Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Continue with Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Themed Viewing

If your child is particularly interested in certain characters or themes, a Themed Viewing can be a fun and engaging way to introduce them to the saga. For example, you could focus on the Skywalker family or other standalone stories like Rogue One and Solo after the original trilogy. This approach allows for a more targeted introduction to specific elements of the Star Wars universe.

Recommendation

For children new to Star Wars, the Release Order is often the best choice. It allows them to experience the excitement and surprises as audiences did when the films first came out. The twists in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back are particularly memorable, and following this order can make the first viewing of A New Hope a magical experience for your child. Once they enjoy the series, you can explore other films and spin-offs in chronological or themed orders to deepen their understanding of the Star Wars universe.

When my son is old enough, we will start our journey with the classic trilogy: Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, followed by Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, and later, we will explore the original trilogy more in depth. These films provide a solid foundation for the later movies and help build anticipation for the full saga.

By choosing the right viewing order, you can ensure that your child's introduction to the Star Wars universe is exciting, memorable, and enjoyable. Happy watching!