The Beginning
It all started with the original Star Wars movie, released in 1977. Also known as Episode IV: A New Hope, this movie introduced us to the characters of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, as they fought against the evil Empire and its leader, Darth Vader.
The Sequels
After the success of the first movie, two sequels were released: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). These movies continued the story of the Rebel Alliance and their fight against the Empire, as Luke continued his training as a Jedi and faced off against his father, Darth Vader.
The Prequels
In 1999, the first of three prequels was released: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Set before the events of the original trilogy, this movie introduced us to young Anakin Skywalker, who would later become Darth Vader. The other two prequels, Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005), showed Anakin’s fall to the dark side and the rise of the Empire.
The Sequel Trilogy
After a long break, the Star Wars saga continued with the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens in 2015. This movie introduced us to new characters like Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren, as well as bringing back old favorites like Han Solo and Princess Leia. The sequel trilogy continued with The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019), bringing the story of the Skywalker family to a close.
The Spin-Offs
Alongside the main saga, several spin-off movies have been released. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) takes place just before the events of A New Hope and tells the story of the Rebels’ mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) follows a young Han Solo as he joins a crew of smugglers and meets Chewbacca for the first time.
The Best Order to Watch the Star Wars Movies
With so many Star Wars movies out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s our recommended order:
1. A New Hope
Start at the beginning with the original movie that started it all. This will introduce you to the characters and the world of Star Wars.
2. The Empire Strikes Back
Continue the story with the second movie, which is widely considered to be the best of the original trilogy.
3. Return of the Jedi
Wrap up the original trilogy with the final movie, which brings the story of the Rebel Alliance to a satisfying conclusion.
4. The Phantom Menace
Jump back in time to see the origins of Anakin Skywalker and the fall of the Republic.
5. Attack of the Clones
Continue the story of the prequels as Anakin becomes a Jedi and falls in love with Padmé Amidala.
6. Revenge of the Sith
Wrap up the prequel trilogy with the movie that shows Anakin’s fall to the dark side and the rise of the Empire.
7. Rogue One
Watch this spin-off movie to see the Rebels’ mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, which leads directly into the events of A New Hope.
8. The Force Awakens
Jump ahead in time to see the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, as new characters like Rey and Finn join the fight against the First Order.
9. The Last Jedi
Continue the story of the sequel trilogy with this movie, which shows Rey’s training as a Jedi and the conflict between Kylo Ren and the Resistance.
10. The Rise of Skywalker
Wrap up the entire Star Wars saga with the final movie, which brings the story of the Skywalker family to a close.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan or a newcomer to the universe, there’s a lot to love about these movies. From the epic space battles to the iconic characters, Star Wars has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride through a galaxy far, far away.
