The Best Way to Start Watching Star Wars

Are you a fan of the Star Wars universe but haven't watched a film in a while? Deciding where to start your journey can be overwhelming, especially with the vast array of films and TV series available. To ensure you get the most out of your viewing experience, it's crucial to understand the different options and the best way to approach the saga. This guide will help you navigate the timeline and provide recommendations for both movie and TV series viewing orders.

Starting with the Movies

If you're looking to dive into the Star Wars universe through its movies, the best approach is to start with the original films. Known as the 'Original Trilogy,' these movies lay the foundation for the entire saga and are often cited as the best starting point. Here's the recommended order to watch them:

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) The Ewok Adventure (1984) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

For those who prefer to watch films in the order they were released, this timeline closely follows the release order of the movies. However, if you're specifically interested in the timeline or chronological order, the movies should be watched in the following sequence:

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

Considering TV Shows

For those who are more inclined to watch TV series, the Star Wars universe offers a variety of options. However, it's essential to note that these shows are not required to understand the plot of the films. Nevertheless, some TV series provide additional context and explore different characters and storylines. Here are the recommended orders for the TV shows:

Television Series in Release Order:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020) - an animated series Star Wars: Rebels (2014-2018) - an animated series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) - a live-action series The Mandalorian (2019-present) - a live-action series The Bad Batch (2021-present) - an animated series The Book of Boba Fett (2021) - a live-action series Star Wars: Visions (2021-present) - an animated, non-canonical series Tales of the Jedi (2022) - an animated series

For a chronological viewing experience, watch the TV series in the release order. This will give you a better sense of the progression of the characters and events. However, if you prefer to watch one series at a time, you can group them by year or separately.

Additional Recommendations

If you want to watch only live-action films or live-action series, the recommended order is as follows:

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) Star Wars: Rebels (2014) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2019-2023) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-present) Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

This order ensures a chronological experience with the live-action content. However, feel free to adjust based on your personal preferences and viewing habits.

Summary

No matter which order you choose, the key is to start with the original trilogy and then proceed with the subsequent movies and TV shows. Whether you want to follow the release order, the timeline, or a mix of both, the Star Wars universe offers a vast and engaging experience. Dive in, and enjoy the adventure!