Our team compiled the How to Watch Star Wars Movies in Order and here is what they came up with
The Star Wars franchise is a beloved science fiction series that has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Created by George Lucas in 1977, the franchise began with the release of the original film, “Star Wars” (later retitled “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”). The film introduced audiences to a galaxy far, far away, filled with Jedi Knights, Sith Lords, and epic battles between good and evil. Over the years, the franchise has expanded to include multiple films, television shows, books, and other forms of media, each building upon the rich lore and mythology of the Star Wars universe. The franchise has grossed over $10 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. The franchise has been successful in its ability to create a rich and detailed world, with complex characters and intense action sequences that have kept audiences engaged for decades. Additionally, the franchise has been able to keep the fans excited by constantly creating new content and incorporating new elements to the Star Wars universe.
Here is the order of the Star Wars movies fans should watch in chronological order
1. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” was released in 1999 and directed by George Lucas. The movie is set 32 years before the events of the original “Star Wars” film and follows Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, as they protect Queen Amidala from the evil Trade Federation. Along the way, they meet a young slave named Anakin Skywalker, who Qui-Gon believes is the “Chosen One” foretold in Jedi prophecy to bring balance to the Force. The movie also features the return of characters such as R2-D2, C-3PO and Darth Maul. The movie received mixed reviews from critics and fans, with some praising the visual effects and action scenes, while others criticized the dialogue and acting. Despite this, “The Phantom Menace” was a box office success, earning over $924 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1999. The movie was rated PG by the MPAA. Starring in the movie were Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and Frank Oz.
2. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones was released in 2002 and is the fifth film in the Star Wars franchise. The movie is set 10 years after the events of “The Phantom Menace” and features the return of Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) as they try to protect Senator Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) from an assassination attempt. Along the way, they uncover a secret plot to destroy the Jedi and the Galactic Republic. The film also introduces the character of Count Dooku (Christopher Lee), a former Jedi who is leading the separatist movement against the Republic. The movie received mixed reviews from critics and fans. Some praised the action scenes and special effects, while others criticized the dialogue and acting. Despite the mixed reception, the movie was a box office success, grossing over $652 million globally. The film was rated PG by the MPAA for sci-fi action violence. The other actors starring in the movie include Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, and Temuera Morrison. The movie was appreciated by fans for its action scenes, special effects and the introduction of new characters.
3. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 science fiction film directed by George Lucas. The movie is set three years after the start of the Clone Wars and follows Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker as he becomes seduced by the dark side of the Force, ultimately leading to his transformation into Darth Vader. The film also follows Obi-Wan Kenobi as he battles his former apprentice and the Jedi Council as they struggle to survive against the rising power of the Sith.The movie was rated PG-13 by MPAA and grossed $848 million worldwide (adjusted for inflation), making it the second highest-grossing film in the Star Wars franchise at the time of its release. The film starred Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine, among others. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its darker tone and story, while others criticized its dialogue and pacing. However, it was appreciated for its conclusion of the prequel trilogy, and it is considered as one of the best film in the franchise by many fans. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
4. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Solo: A Star Wars Story is a 2018 American space Western film directed by Ron Howard and written by Jonathan Kasdan and Lawrence Kasdan. The film is a standalone prequel to the Star Wars series and focuses on the character Han Solo, one of the original trilogy’s main characters, depicting his backstory and early adventures, including his meeting with Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca. The film stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Paul Bettany. The movie was released on May 25, 2018. The movie received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, with some praising the performances and chemistry of the cast, while others felt the story was unoriginal and failed to add depth to the iconic character of Han Solo. However, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $393 million worldwide against its $275 million production budget. Despite the mixed reviews, the movie was appreciated by many fans of the franchise who enjoyed the backstory and origins of the beloved character, Han Solo.
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a 2016 American epic space-opera film directed by Gareth Edwards. The movie was released on December 16, 2016 and has an MPAA rating of PG-13. The film tells the story of a group of rebels who band together on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, the Galactic Empire’s superweapon, with the ultimate goal of destroying it. The movie stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, and Forest Whitaker. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. The movie was appreciated for its strong performances, particularly from its lead actors, and for its ability to stand on its own as a standalone film while still fitting well within the larger Star Wars universe. The film was also praised for its action sequences and its ability to balance darker themes with the traditional Star Wars elements of hope and redemption.
6. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope is a 1977 American epic space-opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas, Gary Kurtz, and Leigh Brackett. The film stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, and Alec Guinness. The film is set nineteen years after the formation of the Galactic Empire; construction has finished on the Death Star, a weapon capable of destroying a planet. Rebel spies have stolen plans to the weapon and have hidden them in R2-D2, a droid, along with a holographic recording. The droid is captured and taken to the planet of Tatooine, where it is found by Luke Skywalker, a young farm boy. Luke, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and Princess Leia embark on a journey to rescue Princess Leia, destroy the Death Star and defeat the Empire. The film was released on May 25, 1977, and was a massive commercial success, grossing over $775 million worldwide in its initial release, making it the highest-grossing film at that time. A New Hope was also critically acclaimed, nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning six, including Best Original Score, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. It was the first film in the original Star Wars trilogy, and is considered one of the greatest films of all time. A New Hope has been re-released multiple times, and has been followed by two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and later prequels, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith.
7. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space-opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. It is the second installment of the Star Wars original trilogy. The movie continues the story of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo as they fight against the evil Galactic Empire and its leader, Darth Vader. The movie begins with the rebels being forced to leave their base on the planet Hoth after it is discovered by the Empire. Luke travels to Dagobah to be trained by Jedi master Yoda while Han and Leia flee to Cloud City, run by Han’s old friend Lando Calrissian. Meanwhile, Darth Vader, obsessed with finding Luke, sends his bounty hunters to track him down. The Empire Strikes Back is considered by many to be the best film in the Star Wars franchise and is often cited as one of the greatest films ever made. The movie received widespread critical acclaim and is praised for its darker tone, character development and the introduction of the iconic villain, Darth Vader. The movie was rated PG by MPAA and grossed $538 million worldwide (adjusted for inflation) and received Academy Award nominations for Best Sound, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Score. Other actors starring in it include Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, and Frank Oz.
8. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is a science fiction film that was released in 1983. Directed by Richard Marquand, the movie stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. The movie is the third and final installment in the original Star Wars trilogy. The movie picks up where the previous film left off, with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia on a mission to rescue Han from the clutches of the villainous gangster Jabba the Hutt. Meanwhile, the evil Empire is building another Death Star and Luke learns more about the ways of the Force and his connection to Darth Vader. The movie was rated PG and grossed over $572 million (adjusted for inflation) at the box office worldwide. It was highly praised for its special effects, action sequences, and epic story. The movie also featured the iconic and emotional reveal of Darth Vader as Luke’s father. The movie was also appreciated for its fun and exciting conclusion to the original trilogy, and the satisfying resolution of the story’s main conflicts.
9. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a 2015 American epic space opera film directed by J.J. Abrams and written by Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan, and Michael Arndt. The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow.nThe movie is set thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire and follows Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron’s search for Luke Skywalker and their fight alongside the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa and veterans of the Rebel Alliance, against Kylo Ren and the First Order, a successor to the Empire.The film was rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence. It grossed over $2 billion worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing film of all time. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, direction, and musical score, and many considered it to be a worthy successor to the original trilogy. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Original Score, and won one for Best Visual Effects.
10. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) is a science fiction action film that was directed by Rian Johnson. It is the eighth installment in the Star Wars franchise and the second in the sequel trilogy. The movie was released on December 15, 2017, and had a PG-13 rating. The movie grossed over $1.3 billion at the box office (adjusted for inflation). The movie’s main cast includes Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Andy Serkis. The story picks up where The Force Awakens left off, with Rey training to become a Jedi under Luke Skywalker, Finn and newcomer Rose Tico on a mission to disable the First Order’s ability to track the Resistance through hyperspace, and Kylo Ren struggling with his allegiance to the dark side. The Last Jedi was praised for its strong performances, particularly by Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley, and its ambitious storytelling, which delved into the themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the nature of the Force. However, it also faced some criticism for its handling of certain characters and storylines. Overall, the movie was a commercial and critical success, solidifying its place as one of the top entries in the Star Wars franchise.
11. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 epic space-opera film directed by J.J. Abrams. It is the third and final installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy and the ninth and final installment of the main Star Wars film franchise. The movie was released on December 20, 2019.
The movie summary: The remnants of the First Order, led by the mysterious Emperor Palpatine, are planning to destroy all that the Rebels have fought for. Meanwhile, Rey, Finn and Poe lead the fight against the First Order, while Kylo Ren is torn between the pull of the dark side and his own inner turmoil. The fate of the galaxy rests in the balance as Rey and Kylo Ren face off in a final confrontation.
The movie received a MPAA rating of PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action. The box office numbers (adjusted for inflation) are $1.3 billion worldwide. The film stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams.
The movie was appreciated for its epic conclusion to the trilogy and the Skywalker saga, and for the performances of its lead cast, particularly Adam Driver’s portrayal of Kylo Ren. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the movie was a commercial success and a fitting end to the beloved franchise.