Exploring the Correct Order of the Star Wars Movies

Introduction

Since its debut in 1977, the Star Wars saga has become one of the most beloved franchises in modern film history. With nine feature films and three spin-off television series, the Star Wars universe is vast and complex. For many fans, the question of what order to watch the movies in can be daunting. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive guide to the order of the Star Wars movies, from the original trilogy to the prequel trilogy to the sequel trilogy and beyond. It will also rank the films from best to worst, and provide a beginner’s guide for newcomers to the franchise.

A Comprehensive Guide to the Order of the Star Wars Movies

The Star Wars franchise includes nine feature films and three spin-off television series. In order to understand the correct order of the Star Wars movies, it is important to first understand the various trilogies and what each entails.

The Original Trilogy

The original Star Wars trilogy consists of the three films released between 1977 and 1983: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. These films follow the story of Luke Skywalker, a young farm boy who discovers he is a powerful Jedi Knight, and his journey to save the galaxy from the oppressive Galactic Empire. Together, these three films are widely considered to be some of the greatest films ever made.

The Prequel Trilogy

The prequel trilogy consists of the three films released between 1999 and 2005: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. These films serve as a prequel to the original trilogy, and focus on the rise of Darth Vader and the fall of the Republic. While these films were met with mixed reviews, they are an essential part of the Star Wars canon and provide important context for the original trilogy.

The Sequel Trilogy

The sequel trilogy consists of the three films released between 2015 and 2019: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. These films continue the story of the original trilogy and introduce new characters such as Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren. The sequel trilogy was met with mostly positive reviews, with many praising its innovative approach to the Star Wars universe.

The Anthology Films

In addition to the main trilogy films, there have also been several anthology films released over the years. These include Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), and The Mandalorian (2019). These films are not essential to the overall narrative of the Star Wars universe, but are interesting side stories that provide additional context to the larger story.

Ranking the Star Wars Movies from Best to Worst

While opinions may vary, there are some general consensus rankings of the Star Wars movies. To determine which movies are the best and which are the worst, we must first look at the criteria used to judge them.

Criteria for Ranking

When ranking the Star Wars movies, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration. These include plot, characters, special effects, cinematography, music, and overall impact. All of these elements contribute to the overall quality of the movie and should be weighed when determining a ranking.

Ranking the Films

Based on the criteria outlined above, the following is a ranking of the Star Wars movies from best to worst:

• The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
• A New Hope (1977)
• Return of the Jedi (1983)
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
• Revenge of the Sith (2005)
• The Force Awakens (2015)
• The Last Jedi (2017)
• The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Attack of the Clones (2002)
• The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

The Definitive Viewing Order for the Star Wars Saga

Now that we have established the ranking of the Star Wars movies from best to worst, we can determine the definitive viewing order for the Star Wars saga. There are two main ways to watch the Star Wars films: chronological order and release date order.

Chronological Viewing Order

The chronological viewing order is the order in which the events of the films occur in the Star Wars universe. This order is as follows:

• The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Attack of the Clones (2002)
• Revenge of the Sith (2005)
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
• A New Hope (1977)
• The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
• Return of the Jedi (1983)
• The Force Awakens (2015)
• The Last Jedi (2017)
• The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Release Date Viewing Order

The release date viewing order is the order in which the films were released in theaters. This order is as follows:

• A New Hope (1977)
• The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
• Return of the Jedi (1983)
• The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Attack of the Clones (2002)
• Revenge of the Sith (2005)
• The Force Awakens (2015)
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
• The Last Jedi (2017)
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
• The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Chronological Listing of All Star Wars Films

For those looking for a more detailed listing of all the Star Wars films, the following is a chronological listing of all the films in the franchise, along with a brief summary of each one.

List of Films

• The Phantom Menace (1999) – The first installment in the prequel trilogy, this film tells the story of how the villainous Darth Sidious rises to power and brings balance to the Force.
• Attack of the Clones (2002) – The second installment in the prequel trilogy, this film follows Anakin Skywalker’s journey to becoming a Jedi and his struggle with the dark side of the Force.
• Revenge of the Sith (2005) – The final installment in the prequel trilogy, this film follows Anakin’s fall to the dark side and his transformation into the infamous Darth Vader.
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) – A stand-alone anthology film, this movie tells the story of a young Han Solo and his adventures in the criminal underworld.
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) – Another stand-alone anthology film, this movie follows a group of rebels as they attempt to steal the plans for the Death Star.
• A New Hope (1977) – The first installment in the original trilogy, this film follows the story of Luke Skywalker as he embarks on a quest to save the galaxy from the Galactic Empire.
• The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – The second installment in the original trilogy, this film sees Luke face off against Darth Vader and learn more about his destiny.
• Return of the Jedi (1983) – The third installment in the original trilogy, this film follows Luke’s final confrontation with Darth Vader and the ultimate redemption of the Sith Lord.
• The Force Awakens (2015) – The first installment in the sequel trilogy, this film follows the story of Rey, a young scavenger who discovers her own connection to the Force.
• The Last Jedi (2017) – The second installment in the sequel trilogy, this film follows Rey as she continues her training as a Jedi and faces off against Kylo Ren.
• The Rise of Skywalker (2019) – The final installment in the sequel trilogy, this film follows Rey and her allies as they attempt to stop the return of the Sith.

Decoding the Canon: What’s the Right Way to Watch Star Wars?

When it comes to watching the Star Wars movies, there are two main schools of thought: the canonical universe and the non-canonical universe. Each approach has its merits, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference.

The Canonical Universe

The canonical universe is the official Star Wars universe as established by George Lucas and continued by Disney. This universe is comprised of the nine feature films and three spin-off television series. According to the canonical universe, the correct order to watch the films is the chronological order, as outlined above.

The Non-Canonical Universe

The non-canonical universe is comprised of all the Star Wars films and television series that are not officially recognized as part of the Star Wars canon. This includes fan-made films and other unofficial works. According to the non-canonical universe, the correct order to watch the films is the release date order, as outlined above.

A Beginner’s Guide to Watching the Star Wars Franchise

For those just starting out with the Star Wars franchise, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. Here is a beginner’s guide to help get you started.

Starting with the Original Trilogy

The original trilogy is widely considered to be the best way to start watching Star Wars. This is because the original trilogy introduces many of the key characters and themes of the franchise, and provides the necessary context for the later films. The original trilogy also contains some of the most iconic moments in the entire franchise, making it an essential viewing experience for any Star Wars fan.

Exploring the Prequels

Once you have watched the original trilogy, it is time to explore the prequel trilogy. The prequel trilogy provides valuable insight into the backstory of the Star Wars universe and the rise of Darth Vader. While the prequels have been met with mixed reviews, they are still an important part of the Star Wars canon and provide essential context for the original trilogy.

Moving on to the Sequels

Once you have watched the prequel trilogy, it is time to move on to the sequel trilogy. The sequel trilogy introduces a new generation of characters and expands upon the themes introduced in the original trilogy. While the sequels have been met with mixed reviews, they are still an enjoyable viewing experience and provide an exciting conclusion to the Star Wars saga.

Exploring the Themes and Characters of the Star Wars Movies in Order

Watching the Star Wars movies in order can provide an even deeper understanding of the themes and characters of the franchise. As you watch each film, take note of the recurring themes, such as the power of the Force and the importance of friendship. Also, pay attention to the character arcs and development of key characters, such as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.

Conclusion

The Star Wars franchise is one of the most beloved franchises in modern film history. With nine feature films and three spin-off television series, the Star Wars universe is vast and complex. This article sought to provide a comprehensive guide to the order of the Star Wars movies, from the original trilogy to the prequel trilogy to the sequel trilogy and beyond. It also ranked the films from best to worst, and provided a beginner’s guide for newcomers to the franchise. Finally, it explored the themes and characters of the Star Wars movies in order to provide a deeper understanding of the franchise.

No matter how you choose to watch the Star Wars movies, it is sure to be an exciting and rewarding experience.