Introduction
The Star Wars franchise is one of the most iconic stories in film history. With a total of nine movies released between 1977 and 2019, it can be challenging to know which order to watch them in. This article will explore the different options for watching the Star Wars movies in order and provide advice on which one is best.
Follow the Official Timeline
The official timeline for watching the Star Wars movies is based on the release dates of each movie. The order is: 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), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
One of the benefits of following this order is that it allows viewers to experience the story as it was intended. As the creator of the Star Wars universe, George Lucas, said: “It’s like poetry; they rhyme. Every stanza sort of rhymes with the last one.” By watching the films in their original order, viewers can appreciate the story arcs and character development as each movie builds upon the last.
Follow the Chronological Order
Another option for watching the Star Wars movies is to follow the chronological order. This means watching the movies in the order of when the events take place, rather than when the movies were released. The chronological order of the movies is: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016),Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015), and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The main benefit of watching the movies in chronological order is that it allows viewers to understand the full context of the story. This order is also helpful for new viewers who are not familiar with the Star Wars universe as it provides a more linear narrative. However, some fans argue that watching the movies in this order takes away from the impact of certain plot twists and revelations.
Watch the Star Wars Story Saga
The Star Wars Story Saga is an alternative order for watching the movies. This order includes all the Star Wars movies, but not in the same order as the official timeline or chronological order. The order is: Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), 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), and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The advantage of this order is that it allows viewers to watch the original trilogy first before delving into the prequels. This gives viewers a chance to become familiar with the characters and setting before seeing the backstory. However, some argue that watching the prequels first would provide more context and understanding of the original trilogy.
Follow the Machete Order
The Machete Order is another popular way of watching the Star Wars movies. This order was created by Rod Hilton in 2011 and has since gained popularity among fans. The order is: Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The main benefit of this order is that it allows viewers to understand the story of Anakin Skywalker without having to wait until the end of the original trilogy. It also helps to create a more dramatic arc as viewers witness Anakin’s transformation from a young boy to a powerful Sith Lord. However, some fans have argued that this order takes away from the impact of certain plot twists and reveals.
Follow the Skywalker Saga
The Skywalker Saga is an alternative order for watching the Star Wars movies. This order focuses solely on the movies that feature the Skywalker family. The order is: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015), and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The advantage of this order is that it allows viewers to focus on the Skywalker family’s story without getting distracted by other characters and storylines. However, some argue that this order takes away from the impact of certain plot twists and reveals.
Follow the Prequel Trilogy First
The final option for watching the Star Wars movies is to follow the prequel trilogy first. This order does not include any of the spin-off movies and focuses solely on the main storyline. The order is: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The advantage of watching the prequels first is that it allows viewers to understand the backstory of the characters and gain a better understanding of the original trilogy. However, some argue that watching the original trilogy first allows viewers to become familiar with the characters before delving into the backstory.
Conclusion
This article has explored the different options for watching the Star Wars movies in order. It has discussed the official timeline, chronological order, Star Wars Story Saga, Machete Order, Skywalker Saga, and Prequel Trilogy First. Each order has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is up to the viewer to decide which one is best for them. Ultimately, the best order to watch the Star Wars movies depends on the individual’s preferences and needs.
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