Star Wars | What is the best order to watch the saga movies?

After two major trilogies and dozens of extra content such as series and short films, the time has come for fans of Star Wars accompany the completion of the Skywalker family. Last Thursday (19), the ninth episode of the saga arrived in Brazilian theaters, The Ascended Skywalker, and while millions of people have watched all the movies, others may still get a little confused about how to start watching the titles. After all, has a correct order to facilitate understanding?

There are a few ways to revisit the franchise. You can watch from the release of each movie or in chronological order, each of these methods with their benefits and drawbacks. For example, if you are going in chronological order, you should start with The Ghost Threat, considered by many fans as the least attractive of the whole saga. Following the chronology, also brings one of the biggest revelations of the series: the identity of Luke Skywalker's father.

In the meantime, watching movies according to their release date can be a bit confusing because some movies, even if they first hit the movies, fit in years into the future. The second trilogy, in fact, the first, since it takes place before the events of the first three films released in the 70s and 80s. So it will depend on what you prefer.

See some suggestions on how to watch the saga Star Wars. And there are no spoilers in the excerpts below.

The best order to watch Star Wars

A New Hope (1977)

Even though it's the sixth movie in chronological order, it's worth watching A New Hope first purely because the beginning of everything. It's also the only Star Wars movie that treats viewers as if they've never watched the saga before. So, start with Luke by finding Obi-Wan, picking up a lightsaber, and learning about the Force and Darth Vader before leaving to save Princess Leia and destroy the Death Star.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

The first of the new “Anthology” films, Rogue one drinks from the same source of A New Hope. He follows the daughter of Death Star's creator, Jyn Erso, when she is released by Rebel Aliana and charged with finding the plans leading to the weapon's destruction. Yes, it ends where A New Hope It starts, but as so dependent on this first movie, we thought it best to see them in reverse. You will learn who created the Death Star, why it is so easily destroyed, and meet the many Bothans who died to steal the weapon's plans.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

It is considered as one of the greatest sequences of all time. After the initial battle on frozen planet Hoth, Luke will begin his Jedi training with Yoda, while Han Solo and Princess Leia will go to Cloud City to meet Han's old friend Lando Calrissian. But Han and Leia are drawn and then used as bait by Vader to lure Luke. It all culminates in a confrontation between Vader and Luke and ends with one of the saga's biggest twists.

The Phantom Threat (1999)

We have gone from the most beloved works of all time to the most hated. This movie follows Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master Qui-Gon Jinn as they try to protect Naboo's queen and stumble upon a young slave named Anakin Skywalker. You are also forced to participate in two hours of Jar-Jar Binks and sleepy negotiations in the Galactic Senate. So if you've seen this movie before, skip it on your next replay. Although he provides some important details for another prequel movie and has a great lightsaber duel.

The Attack of the Clones (2002)

While the movies so far show Darth Vader as the villain, The Attack of the Clones He begins to show us the path that led him to the dark side, with the death of his mother in the hands of Tuskan Raiders. We also see her growing love affair with Queen Padme Amidala. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi faces an army of clones being built for the Republic that forms the basis of the Empire's Stormtroopers.

The Revenge of the Sith (2005)

The final film of the prequel trilogy shows Anakin's heart being dominated by evil forces. While initially excited to hear his wife Padme's pregnancy, visions of his death begin to poison Anakin's mind, allowing Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to lure him to the Dark Side of the Outside. This then leads to the destruction of the Republic and the murder of many Jedi, including all young Padawans, at the hands of the newly appointed Darth Vader.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

The origin story of the coolest guy in the universe Star Wars provides a ton of unnecessary background stories. And honestly? This movie can be ignored. Apparently, Han Solo just wanted to act like Tobias Beckett and date Qi'ra at his height, which is understandable, but a bit of rolling eyes. Still, a fun movie that gives us more information about the most important ship in the galaxy: the Millenium Falcon.

The Return of the Jedi (1983)

Now that we have learned the background of Darth Vader / Anakin, time to see him redeem himself with all this knowledge in hand. Also, after saving Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, we see Luke trying to defeat his father and the Emperor, while Han and Leia work to demolish a second, nearly completed, Death Star. In addition, there are stone age technology teddy bears that also help destroy the Empire.

Optional: The Mandalorian (2019)

This is the first live action Star Wars TV series to debut with the release of Disney + in November. The plot follows Pedro Pascal as the titular Mandalorian, a bounty hunter who makes his way into the farthest reaches of the galaxy five years after the events of The Return of Jediby placing it well before the events of Awakening Out and the creation of the First Order.

note: How The Mandalorian It's not an animation program, we include it in this list. However, it is not a movie of Star Wars, so optional.

The Awakening from the Outside (2015)

The first movie of Star Wars made under the nickname of Disney is 30 years after The Return of Jedi. We see that there is a new emerging conflict between the Republic, led by Leia Organa-Skywalker and the First Order, which has risen from the ashes of the Empire. Among all this is a young girl named Rey who seems to be really strong with Force.

The Last Jedi (2017)

After tracking Luke Skywalker, Rey's next challenge persuades him to train her. Luke is not in the mood for his failures with Kylo Ren. Meanwhile, the remaining forces of the Republic are on the verge of total annihilation, thanks to First Order, leaving Rey and Luke as their only hope.

The Skywalker Ascension (2019)

Completion of all major trilogies, the film marks the farewell of the main characters we have followed over the last four decades. The feature is already playing in Brazil.

The chronological order to watch Star Wars

If you didn't like the above suggestion very much, here are all the movies in chronological order:

  • Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
  • Episode III: The 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: The Return of the Jedi (1983)
  • Episode VII: Awakening from the Outside (2015)
  • Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
  • Episode IX: The Ascended Skywalker (2019)

The release order to watch Star Wars

Now, if you want to watch without these freaks and go straight to the normal release of each movie, here is:

  • Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
  • Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
  • Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983)
  • Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
  • Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith (2005)
  • Episode VII: Awakening from the Outside (2015)
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
  • Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
  • Episode IX: The Ascended Skywalker (2019)

Source: Pocket-lint