Embarking on a Star Wars marathon is a breeze, but before you start the first movie, it's crucial to determine your preferred viewing sequence. Should you kick off with the original trilogy or the prequel movies? And where do the standalone films and television series fit in? Here is a guide on how to watch Star Wars in your chosen order.
The most straightforward approach is to follow the theatrical release order, as this aligns with George Lucas's original vision. This sequence begins with the original trilogy, then delves into the prequel movies, and concludes with Disney's sequel films.
By adhering to this order, you witness Luke's triumph over Darth Vader, delve into Vader's backstory, and witness Rey continuing the legacy left by Luke. However, incorporating the standalone Star Wars films into your viewing party can be a bit tricky. Following the release date order would disrupt the flow of the sequel trilogy with Rogue One and Solo.
For viewers revisiting the series and aiming to maintain the core storyline, simply skip these two films. They do not significantly impact the overarching narrative. Newcomers seeking the complete Star Wars experience can opt to watch them in release order or position the standalone films before or after the sequel trilogy.
If you want to go by release order, your marathon should look like this:
George Lucas originally envisioned the Star Wars film as just a small part of a larger story. Therefore, the fact that it was the first film released does not necessarily mean it marks the beginning of the story. Instead of following the release order, one can opt for a chronological order based on the timeline of the movies. This would involve starting with the prequel trilogy (Episodes I, II, and III), then moving on to the original movies (Episodes IV, V, VI), and finally concluding with the sequels (Episodes VII, VIII, IX). For those including standalone films, Rogue One and Solo can be inserted between Episodes III and IV. However, it is important to note that this order may spoil the Darth Vader reveal in the original films, making it less suitable for first-time viewers. Watching Star Wars in chronological order can be seen as a fun experiment for long-time fans looking to experience the series from a fresh perspective.
If you were to watch the Star Wars films in chronological order, it would look like this:
Solo (optional)
Rogue One (optional)
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
If you have already viewed all the movies in release and chronological order, there is an alternative option to consider: Machete Order. This particular order deviates from the traditional sequence by inserting Episodes II and III between Episodes V and VI.
The viewing begins with "A New Hope" followed by "The Empire Strikes Back," but then takes a different turn. Right after Luke learns the truth about Darth Vader, you delve into the prequels as a flashback sequence. "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith" showcase the transformation of a young Anakin Skywalker into the Dark Side, before concluding with "Return of the Jedi."
The Machete Order intentionally excludes "Phantom Menace" entirely, as most of its content is self-contained and does not significantly impact the other prequels. Qui-Gon Jinn's role holds no significance in the overarching story, and the mention of midi-chlorians is minimal. Additionally, this order allows you to largely avoid Jar Jar Binks. However, it is important to note that it is not a flawless approach, so proceed with caution.
If you are dissatisfied with the omission of Episode I and are curious about where the sequel movies fit into this order, the original creator of Machete Order offers a suggestion. In an updated post, Rod Hilton recommends watching Episodes VII, VIII, and IX after the other films. This way, you can consider Episode I as an anthology, similar to "Rogue One" and "Solo."So if you go by the Machete Order, you would watch the movies as follows:
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (optional)
Solo (optional)
Rogue One (optional)
The television shows related to Star Wars have expanded beyond just the movies. The Clone Wars, Rebels, Andor, and The Mandalorian have all become significant parts of the franchise in recent years. While there isn't a specific order to watch all these different shows, Disney has provided an official timeline.
It may have been assumed that The Clone Wars animated series fits between Episodes II and III, but what about the rest? According to Disney, Star Wars: Rebels is set before the events of A New Hope. The Mandalorian occurs after Return of the Jedi but before the Star Wars: Resistance animated series.If you happen to be crazy enough to watch every movie and show in chronological order, here's what that would look like:
Tales of the Jedi (set at various times from before Episode I, right up to Rebels)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 film)
Star Wars: Visions (set at various points in the timeline)
Disney has been heavily promoting Star Wars TV shows, but this is not the first time the franchise has appeared on television. Previously, it was difficult to find old TV movies and animated series related to Star Wars, until they were added to Disney+ under the Star Wars Vintage banner.
Although the complete 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special is still not available for streaming, a few beloved classics have been made accessible for viewing during your Star Wars marathon:
1. The Story of the Faithful Wookie - This is the animated segment from the 1978 Holiday Special that introduced the iconic character Boba Fett.
2. Caravan of Courage - A made-for-TV film from 1984 that tells the story of two children who encounter a group of Ewoks while searching for their missing parents.
3. Ewoks: The Battle For Endor - Released in 1985, this sequel to the first Ewok film follows a young child and her Ewok companions as they battle a group of invading marauders.
4. Ewoks - A spin-off animated series focused on a group of Ewoks. It aired for two seasons between 1985 and 1986.
5. Star Wars: Droids - An animated series featuring R2-D2 and C-3PO. It ran for one season in 1985.
6. Star Wars: Clone Wars - A micro-series set during the Clone Wars, created by Genndy Tartakovsky. It aired for three seasons between 2003 and 2005.In recent years, Disney has unveiled numerous Star Wars projects at various stages of development. Unfortunately, many of these ventures have encountered setbacks before production could commence. Despite this, several projects are still in progress.
Currently, James Mangold is set to write and direct a film set 25,000 years before A New Hope, during the "Dawn of the Jedi" era. Dave Filoni, the creator of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is anticipated to direct a film that will conclude The Mandalorian storyline. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is also lined up to direct a film centered around Rey Skywalker and her New Jedi Order, with Daisy Ridley reprising her role.
Additionally, Jon Favreau is developing The Mandalorian & Grogu for a potential theatrical release in 2026. Donald and Stephen Glover are involved in a Lando Calrissian project, with Donald Glover returning to his role from Solo, which has transitioned from a TV show to a theatrical film.
On the television front, Ahsoka Season 2 is currently in production, while Andor Season 2 has been postponed to 2025. Skeleton Crew, a new series starring Jude Law about a group of children stranded in a distant galaxy and their journey home, is still slated for a 2024 premiere.
