If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ve probably asked this question before. With so many movies, TV shows, and spin-offs in the franchise, it can be challenging to know where to start and in what order to watch them. In this article, we’ll break down the correct order of the Star Wars movies and explain why it matters.
- A New Hope
- The Empire Strikes Back
- Return of the Jedi
- The Phantom Menace
- Attack of the Clones
- Revenge of the Sith
- The Force Awakens
- The Last Jedi
- The Rise of Skywalker
The Original Trilogy: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi
The original trilogy is where it all began. Released in the late 70s and early 80s, these films follow the story of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo as they battle against the evil Empire. A New Hope is the first film that establishes the universe and the characters. The Empire Strikes Back is considered by many to be the best film in the franchise and is where Luke learns the truth about his father. Return of the Jedi is the final chapter in the original trilogy and sees the Rebels finally defeat the Empire.
The Prequel Trilogy: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith
The prequel trilogy takes place before the original trilogy and explores the origins of Darth Vader and the rise of the Empire. The Phantom Menace introduces us to Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi Order. Attack of the Clones sees Anakin and Padmé fall in love while the galaxy is on the brink of war. Revenge of the Sith shows Anakin’s fall to the dark side and the events leading to the Empire’s formation.
The Sequel Trilogy: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker
The sequel trilogy takes place after the events of the original trilogy and focuses on a new generation of heroes. The Force Awakens introduces us to Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they join forces to defeat the First Order. The Last Jedi sees the Resistance continue to battle the First Order while Rey learns the ways of the Force from Luke Skywalker. The Rise of Skywalker is the final film in the Skywalker saga and sees the heroes fight to defeat the evil Emperor Palpatine.
The Spin-Offs: Rogue One, Solo
In addition to the main saga, there are also several spin-off films. Rogue One takes place just before the events of A New Hope and follows a group of Rebels as they attempt to steal the plans for the Death Star. Solo tells the story of a young Han Solo and how he became the smuggler we know and love.
Why the Correct Order Matters
Watching the Star Wars movies in the correct order can enhance your viewing experience and help you understand the story better. Starting with the original trilogy allows you to see where it all began and introduces you to the characters and the universe. The prequel trilogy fills in the gaps and gives you a deeper understanding of the events that lead to the original trilogy. The sequel trilogy takes the story in a new direction and introduces new characters and themes.
Watching the movies chronologically, starting with The Phantom Menace, can be confusing and might spoil some of the surprises in the original trilogy. While watching the movies in release order, starting with A New Hope, you can experience the story as intended.
Conclusion
So, what is the correct order of the Star Wars movies? The answer is to watch them in release order, starting with A New Hope. This allows you to experience the story the way it was intended to be told and helps you better understand the characters and the universe. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the franchise, watching the Star Wars movies in the correct order is the best way to enjoy the epic space saga.