Figuring out how to watch Star Wars in order can feel a bit like trying to navigate an asteroid field without a map, honestly. With so many amazing stories, from grand films to compelling series, it's easy to get a little lost in the galaxy far, far away. But don't you worry, because we're here to make it simple and fun for you.
Whether you're new to the saga or a seasoned fan looking to experience it all over again with a fresh perspective, understanding the different ways to take in these tales is pretty helpful. We have a list of all the current Star Wars movies and shows you can watch right now, organized both by when they came out and when they happen in the story. It's never been easier, now that all of these titles are pretty much in one spot, so that's good.
So, if you're ready for a movie marathon set in a galaxy far, far away, or just want to catch up on a few stories, here's a guide on how to watch all of the Star Wars movies and TV shows in order. We'll help you pick the path that feels right for you, so you can enjoy every bit of this incredible universe, you know?
Table of Contents
- Different Ways to Watch Star Wars
- Chronological Order: Story First
- Release Order: The Original Experience
- Where to Stream Star Wars
- Frequently Asked Questions
Different Ways to Watch Star Wars
When you set out to watch all the Star Wars movies and TV shows, you quickly find there's more than one way to do it. The most obvious answer is theatrical release order, since this was what George Lucas originally intended. That's how many of us first saw these stories unfold, you know, back when they first came out.
However, if you want to watch the Star Wars movies in chronological order, witnessing the separate rises of Anakin, Luke, and Rey as they unfolded in their timeline, that's a whole other approach. Between the films and the TV series, there's a lot of Star Wars out there, and each order offers a unique feel. To save you trying to wrap your head around the sprawling Star Wars timeline, though, we've compiled a guide below with everything you need to have a Star Wars marathon. Whichever order you choose, here's how to watch, basically.
Chronological Order: Story First
If you're a Star Wars completist or just want to start at the beginning of the story, this is your path. This way lets you stream the story as it unfolds, from the earliest events up through the latest. It's a complete guide to how to watch all of the Star Wars movies and TV shows in chronological order, from "The Phantom Menace" up through "The Rise of Skywalker" and beyond. First, we'll need to explain how the galaxy far, far away views time, which is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it.
Below, I’ve laid out the full Star Wars timeline in chronological order—from the prequels to the sequels, plus every major TV show. This is how to watch all the Star Wars movies in order and prove you’re strong with the Force, in a way. This approach really lets you see how characters change and how events connect over long stretches of time, which is pretty neat.
The Rise of Anakin
This part of the story introduces us to Anakin Skywalker and the start of the Clone Wars. It shows how the Jedi Order was doing before things got really tough. You see the early days of many characters who become very important later on, so it's a good place to start if you like seeing things from the very beginning.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999): This film introduces us to young Anakin Skywalker and the political troubles that start brewing. It's where the story really gets going, you know, with all the big players.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002): We see Anakin grow up a bit, and the Clone Wars begin in earnest. There's a lot of action and a lot of important decisions being made here, so that's a big part of it.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 Animated Movie): This movie kicks off the animated series, giving us a first look at Ahsoka Tano, Anakin's apprentice. It's a quick way to get into the animated stories, too.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020 Animated Series): This series fills in the gaps between Episode II and III, showing countless battles and character developments. It's widely considered a must-watch for a deeper understanding of the era, honestly.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005): This is where everything changes, as Anakin completes his turn to the dark side. It's a pretty intense film, and it sets up a lot for what comes next.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-Present Animated Series): Following a unique group of clones right after the Clone Wars, this show explores the early days of the Empire. It gives a different view of how things changed after the big war, so it's interesting.
The Galactic Civil War
This section covers the time when the Empire is at its strongest and the Rebellion begins to fight back. It's where we meet Luke Skywalker and many of the classic heroes. These stories really show the struggle for freedom across the galaxy, and they're pretty much the heart of Star Wars for many folks.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): This movie gives us a look at a young Han Solo and his early adventures. It's a fun, standalone story that adds a lot to his background, you know, before he met Luke.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022 Live-Action Series): Set years after "Revenge of the Sith," this series follows Obi-Wan during his exile. It's a pretty emotional story, showing what he was doing during those quiet years.
Andor (2022 Live-Action Series): This show tells the story of Cassian Andor's journey into the Rebellion. It's a grittier, more spy-like look at the early days of the fight against the Empire, so it's quite different.
Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018 Animated Series): This series shows a small group of rebels working together against the Empire, connecting to many characters from "The Clone Wars." It builds up to the events of the original films, actually.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016): This film directly leads into "A New Hope," showing how the Rebellion got the plans for the Death Star. It's a very intense and important story for the overall timeline, you know.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977): The film that started it all, introducing Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo. This is where the main story of the original trilogy really begins, basically.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Often seen as a fan favorite, this film deepens the characters and raises the stakes considerably. It's a powerful story with some big surprises, so that's a key one.
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983): The conclusion to the original trilogy, bringing the Galactic Civil War to a close. It's a very satisfying ending to that part of the saga, you know, with the big celebration.
The New Republic and Beyond
After the fall of the Empire, new challenges arise, and a new generation of heroes takes center stage. This part of the timeline explores what happens after the original films and introduces us to the sequel era. It's where we see the galaxy trying to rebuild and new threats emerging, which is pretty compelling.
The Mandalorian (2019-Present Live-Action Series): Set after "Return of the Jedi," this show follows a lone bounty hunter and his unexpected charge. It's been a huge hit, and it brings a fresh feel to the Star Wars universe, so it's a good one.
The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022 Live-Action Series): This series continues the story of the legendary bounty hunter, Boba Fett, after his return. It connects closely with "The Mandalorian," too, expanding that part of the story.
Ahsoka (2023 Live-Action Series): Picking up after "Rebels" and "The Mandalorian," this show follows Ahsoka Tano on her own quest. It's a big moment for fans of the animated series, seeing her in live-action, you know.
Star Wars Resistance (2018-2020 Animated Series): This show covers the time leading up to and during the sequel trilogy, focusing on a young pilot. It offers a different perspective on the conflict between the First Order and the Resistance, actually.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015): This film introduces new heroes like Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron, and brings back some familiar faces. It kicks off the sequel trilogy, you know, with a new generation.
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017): This movie continues the story of the new heroes and challenges traditional ideas about the Force. It's a film that got a lot of people talking, for sure.
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019): The final film in the Skywalker saga, bringing many storylines to a close. It's the big finish to the main film series, more or less, at least for now.
Release Order: The Original Experience
Watching Star Wars in release order is how most people first experienced the saga. This is the way George Lucas intended the story to unfold, with each new film building on the last, often with surprising reveals. It’s a very common way to watch, and many fans still prefer it for a first viewing. This approach lets you feel the same excitement and shock that original viewers felt, which is pretty cool.
This order lets you see how the special effects and storytelling evolved over the decades. It's a trip through cinematic history, in a way. So here’s a rundown of the order you need to watch every Star Wars movie and TV show if you're going by when they first hit screens. It's a great way to appreciate the growth of this amazing universe, you know?
The Original Trilogy
These are the films that started it all and captured the hearts of millions. They introduced us to the core ideas of the Force, Jedi, Sith, and the epic struggle between good and evil. They are, for many, the very heart of Star Wars, and for good reason, too.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977): The very first film released, introducing us to Luke Skywalker's humble beginnings and the vastness of the galaxy. It set the stage for everything that followed, basically.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980): This one expanded the universe, introduced new characters, and had some truly shocking moments. It's often praised for its storytelling, honestly.
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983): The conclusion to the original story, bringing a satisfying end to the fight against the Empire. It's a powerful finish to the first set of films, you know.
The Prequel Trilogy
Years later, George Lucas returned to tell the story of Anakin Skywalker's youth and how the Republic fell. These films filled in the backstory, showing how the galaxy changed and how a hero became a villain. They give a lot of context to the original films, so they're pretty important for the whole picture.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999): The first prequel film, taking us back to see Anakin as a child and the start of the political unrest. It was a big moment for fans, seeing Star Wars back on the big screen.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002): This film continued Anakin's story and revealed the beginnings of the Clone Wars. It showed more of the Jedi in action, too, which was cool.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005): The final prequel, showing Anakin's full transformation into Darth Vader. It's a very dark and emotional film, bringing the prequel story to its tragic end.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 Animated Movie): This movie was released to kick off the animated series, bridging the gap between Episode II and III. It's a quick way to get a taste of the animated world, you know.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020 Animated Series): This long-running series filled in much of the Clone Wars era, adding depth to many characters. It's a really popular show, and it tells a lot of great stories.
The Sequel Trilogy and Standalones
After a break, Star Wars returned with new stories set after the original trilogy, alongside standalone films that expanded the universe. These films and shows explore what happened after the Empire fell and introduce new characters and threats. They bring a fresh feel to the saga while still connecting to the past, so that's pretty neat.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015): This film brought Star Wars back to the big screen with a new generation of heroes and villains. It felt like a fresh start for the saga, honestly.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016): A standalone film that tells the story of how the Rebellion got the Death Star plans, fitting right before "A New Hope." It's a very intense and dramatic film, too.
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017): This film continued the story of the new characters, challenging them in unexpected ways. It sparked a lot of discussion among fans, you know.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): Another standalone film, this one exploring the early life of Han Solo. It's a fun adventure that gives us more of his background, basically.
Star Wars Resistance (2018-2020 Animated Series): This series shows events leading up to and during the sequel trilogy, from the perspective of a young pilot. It offers a different look at the conflict, which is pretty cool.
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019): The final film in the main Skywalker saga, aiming to bring all nine films to a conclusion. It's the big wrap-up for that long story, more or less.
The Mandalorian (2019-Present Live-Action Series): The first live-action Star Wars series, set after "Return of the Jedi." It introduced new characters and a new corner of the galaxy, and it's been very popular.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-Present Animated Series): This show picks up right after "Revenge of the Sith," following a unique group of clone troopers. It explores the early days of the Empire, so that's interesting.
The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022 Live-Action Series): This series continues the adventures of Boba Fett after "The Mandalorian." It expands on his story and shows more of the criminal underworld, too.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022 Live-Action Series): This show brings back Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, set years after "Revenge of the Sith." It's a powerful story about his time in hiding, you know.
Andor (2022 Live-Action Series): This series explores the origins of Cassian Andor, a rebel spy, before "Rogue One." It's a more grounded and realistic look at the Rebellion's early days, so that's a different feel.
Ahsoka (2023 Live-Action Series): This show follows Ahsoka Tano, a fan-favorite character from the animated series, on her own quest. It connects a lot of the animated stories to the live-action world, which is pretty exciting.
Where to Stream Star Wars
Good news for all Star Wars fans: it's never been easier to watch all of these titles. Pretty much every Star Wars movie and TV show is available to stream in one place. That's right, Disney+ is your home for the entire saga, from "The Phantom Menace" up through "The Rise of Skywalker" and all the fantastic series in between. This makes starting your Star Wars marathon incredibly simple, honestly.
Having everything on one platform means you don't have to hunt around for different films or shows. You can just pick your preferred order and get right to it. This really helps if you're trying to watch the Star Wars movies in chronological order, or by release date, without any fuss. You can find more details about the

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