How to Watch Star Wars Movie Saga in Order

The Star Wars films first hit the big screen in 1977 with Episode 4: A New Hope. This was followed by two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), completing the original Star Wars trilogy. These films set the stage for the first of the prequel episodes, The Phantom Menace, which was released in 1999.

The Star Wars film series wrapped up with The Rise of Skywalker. This ninth movie concluded the long-running story of the Skywalker family that had been central to the saga since 1977.

In addition to these nine episodes, the saga includes two related standalone films, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Now, for those who want to watch or catch up on the Star Wars films, Showpoiler provides a special viewing order just for you. Check it out below!

1. Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Two Jedi Knights, Qui-Gon Jinn and his student, Obi-Wan Kenobi, infiltrate a blockade by the Trade Federation on the planet Naboo. The plan goes wrong, and they are pursued by Federation forces. Along the way, they meet Jar Jar Binks and Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo. They escape and land on the desert planet, Tatooine.

There, they meet a young boy named Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon Jinn senses a strong presence of the Force in Anakin and plans to train him as a Jedi.

Meanwhile, the evil Sith forces awaken from their slumber. Darth Maul appears, attacking the Jedi and attempting to kidnap Queen Amidala.

2. Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Following the death of Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin Skywalker is now training to be a Jedi Knight under Obi-Wan Kenobi. Meanwhile, Jedi Master Count Dooku turns traitor and starts a separatist movement against the Galactic Republic.

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine tasks Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker with protecting Senator Padmé Amidala from assassination threats.

To find the assassin, Obi-Wan heads to the planet Geonosis, while Anakin and Padmé hide on the planet Naboo. Meanwhile, Anakin is haunted by nightmares of his mother and convinces Padmé to visit Tatooine with him. There, he faces the harsh reality of his mother's death.

This tragedy fills Anakin with anger and hatred, which allows the dark power of the Sith to slowly begin to take hold of him. The story ends with Anakin and Padmé's secret wedding on Naboo.

3. Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Darth Sidious, also known as Palpatine, is scheming to transform the Galactic Republic into his own Galactic Empire. Meanwhile, Anakin is both joyful and worried as Padme is pregnant, but he is haunted by nightmares about her safety.

During this time, Palpatine tempts Anakin with the dark side of the Force, suggesting it could save Padme from dying. Seduced by the promise of such power, Anakin succumbs to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader. He then turns against all remaining Jedi, including his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Unknown to both Palpatine and Anakin, Padme gives birth to twins, Luke and Leia, before she dies. Luke is taken to Tatooine by Obi-Wan for safety, while Leia is adopted by the Organa family on Alderaan.

4. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Before meeting Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo was a skilled smuggler learning under Tobias Beckett. The ambitious Han dreams of being the galaxy's best pilot, but his plans are complicated when his girlfriend, Qi'ra, is captured by criminals.

Throughout his adventures, Han meets Chewbacca, who becomes his loyal friend and partner. Together, they face numerous dangers in the criminal underworld.

Eventually, they get the Millennium Falcon from Lando Calrissian. Motivated by his experiences, Han decides to join the Rebellion against the Galactic Empire.

5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Jyn Erso is separated from her father, Galen Erso, who is coerced by Imperial officer Orson Krennic into helping build the Death Star. Fifteen years later, Captain Cassian Andor rescues Jyn from Imperial custody and joins her into the Rebel Alliance.

Together, Jyn and Cassian lead a team on a daring mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. Galen has secretly engineered a flaw in the Death Star, allowing it to be destroyed with a precise strike.

While the mission is a success, it costs Jyn, Cassian, and their team their lives. Meanwhile, Darth Vader intercepts the ship carrying Princess Leia, who possesses the stolen plans.

This sequence not only concludes the film but also sets the stage for Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope, linking back to the 1977 release.

6. Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope (1977)

After getting the Death Star plans, Princess Leia stores them in the memory of the droid R2-D2. However, she is captured by Darth Vader and taken aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer.

R2-D2 and the protocol droid C-3PO escape to the planet Tatooine, where they meet Luke Skywalker and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The capture of Princess Leia prompts Obi-Wan to persuade Luke to join a rescue mission. They seek out a pilot and encounter Han Solo and Chewbacca. Using the Millennium Falcon, they successfully rescue Leia, but Obi-Wan is killed by Darth Vader.

Driven by anger, Luke joins the Rebel forces. Using the knowledge Obi-Wan taught him about the Force, along with the stolen Death Star plans, Luke and the Rebels manage to destroy the massive weapon.

7. Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Luke Skywalker travels to the planet Dagobah to train with Master Yoda in Jedi ways. Meanwhile, Leia and Han Solo evade the Imperial fleet's pursuit.

They land on the planet Bespin, ruled by Han’s friend, Lando Calrissian. Without them knowing, Lando is coerced by Darth Vader into betraying Han and Leia.

Vader, aware that Luke and Leia are his biological children, captures Leia, Han, and Chewbacca. He also tries to sway Luke to the dark side of the Force. During a duel with Darth Vader, Luke is shocked to discover that Vader is his biological father.

8. Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi (1983)

After losing his hand in a duel with Darth Vader, Luke's hand is replaced with a robotic one. He returns to Dagobah to finish his Jedi training. There, he finds a dying Yoda, who reveals that Princess Leia is his sister.

Meanwhile, Leia, Lando, Han, and Chewbacca regroup at the Rebel base to strategize the destruction of a newly rebuilt Death Star.

After Yoda’s death, Luke feels his Force powers strengthening. He confronts Darth Vader again in a climactic battle, this time under the watchful eyes of Darth Sidious

9. Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens (2015)

Darth Vader has died, and Luke Skywalker has mysteriously vanished. Thirty-four years later, the Empire is falling apart. Although the Galactic Republic has been restored, it is in chaos.

The remnants of the Empire have regrouped as the First Order, led by Supreme Leader Snoke and his deputy, Kylo Ren, who is actually Ben Solo—Han Solo and Leia's son, and a former Jedi trainee of Luke.

In a shocking moment, Kylo kills his father, Han Solo, to increase his Sith power. Under his leadership, the First Order creates a new superweapon, the Star Killer, far more destructive than the Death Star.

Meanwhile, Rey, a woman with force abilities akin to Anakin Skywalker, teams up with Finn, a defected Stormtrooper. Together, they seek out Luke Skywalker, hoping to persuade him to join their fight against the resurgent Sith.

10. Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi (2017)

Rey finally locates the reclusive Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker. She asks him to join the Resistance, but he initially refuses.

After persistent efforts by Rey, Luke agrees to teach her how to harness the Force and explains why he believes the Jedi teachings should end.

As the Resistance struggles against the First Order, which is intensifying after the collapse of the Galactic Republic, Poe Dameron leads a successful attack on a massive Dreadnought ship. However, when the Resistance tries to retreat to their main base, they are discovered by First Order forces, prompting Kylo Ren to attack the Resistance flagship.

11. Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Kylo Ren locates the Sith Wayfinder device and travels to the planet Exegol, where he finds Palpatine, now physically disabled. Palpatine reveals that Snoke was merely a puppet created to form the First Order and to keep Kylo on the Sith path.

Palpatine then unveils a secret fleet of Star Destroyers and orders Kylo to find Rey, who is continuing her Jedi training under Leia’s guidance.

Upon learning of Palpatine’s return, Rey discovers a note about a Sith artifact in the Jedi texts left by Luke. This leads her and her allies to confront both Kylo Ren and Palpatine.

While the Skywalker family saga may have concluded, the possibility of more Star Wars films remains. To keep up with the excitement of the series, be sure to watch these films in order.