Watch the Star Wars movies in release order, starting with Star Wars (1977) and continuing through Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). The series spans 9 films, released between 1977 and 2019. Audiences rate the franchise 7.3/10 on average.

What order should you watch Star Wars?

For most viewers, release order is the recommended way to watch Star Wars. This is how the story was crafted and revealed to audiences — earlier films seed details, callbacks, and twists that pay off in later entries. Watching in release order preserves those reveals and matches the pacing the filmmakers intended.

Star Wars largely tracks its own in-universe chronology, so release order and chronological order overlap closely. You can use either without losing much, though release order is still the safest first watch.

About the Star Wars franchise

An epic space-opera theatrical film series, which depicts the adventures of various characters "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…."

Each film builds on the previous one, rewarding viewers who watch in sequence.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I watch Star Wars?

The recommended Star Wars watch order by release date is: 1. Star Wars (1977), 2. The Empire Strikes Back (1980), 3. Return of the Jedi (1983), 4. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), 5. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), 6. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), 7. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), 8. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), 9. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

What is the first Star Wars movie?

The first Star Wars movie is Star Wars, released on May 25, 1977.

What is the most recent Star Wars movie?

The most recent Star Wars movie is Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

How many Star Wars movies are there?

There are 9 movies in the Star Wars franchise.

What is the highest-rated Star Wars movie?

The highest-rated Star Wars movie is The Empire Strikes Back, with an audience score of 8.4/10 on TMDB.

Do I need to watch Star Wars movies in order?

While each Star Wars movie can be enjoyed on its own, watching them in order gives you the full story progression and character development across all 9 films.

Where can I watch Star Wars movies online?

Most Star Wars movies are available on Amazon Prime Video. Each movie on this page has a direct "Watch on Amazon" link.

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