How to watch all the Star Wars movies in order

Star Wars has enthralled fans for generations and includes some of the most iconic sci-fi movies of all time. Modern sci-fi classics, like Project Hail Mary and Elysium, give us glimpses of space, while Star Wars operates on another level with stories spanning generations of characters across multiple star systems.

The Star Wars franchise has produced 13 theatrical movies since 1977. Watching them in the right order is more challenging than you might think, since they weren't released chronologically. The original movies sit somewhere in the middle of the timeline, flanked by the prequels and sequels. Then there are spin-offs and an animated feature sprinkled in to tell unique standalone stories. Don't stress because here's how to watch all the Star Wars movies in the right order.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

A new era begins

1999's Phantom Menace kicked off the prequel trilogy as the first feature Star Wars movie since 1983's Return of the Jedi. The Trade Federation invades the Planet of Naboo, and Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, must rescue Princess Padmé Amidala so she can make her case to the Galactic Senate. They meet a young Anakin Skywalker on the way, and he becomes part of an adventure to save Naboo and restore the princess to the throne.

The Phantom Menace is a thrilling origin story with stunning action set-pieces, like the timeless pod racing sequence and iconic lightsaber battle between the two Jedi and the terrifying Darth Maul. It also takes the Star Wars story to new planets and marks the debut of Padmé Amidala and the notorious Jar JarBinks into the universe.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of The Clones (2002)

The start of the Clone Wars

Attack of the Clones takes place ten years after The Phantom Menace. The Galaxy is on the verge of civil war as more planets leave the Republic and join the Separatist movement, led by a former Jedi Master and Sith Lord, Count Dooku. A teenage Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect Princess Padmé Amidala, who's had numerous attempts on her life, while Obi-Wan tries to discover who's behind it.

Obi-Wan's investigation leads him to the discovery of a mysterious clone army that was supposedly commissioned years ago. Meanwhile, Anakin and the princess fall in love while they're hiding on Naboo.

Attack of the Clones culminates in a massive battle on the industrial planet of Geonosis where the new clone army first enters the fray against separatist droids. It marks the start of the Clone Wars, which will engulf the galaxy, and sets the stage for the final installment.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)

An animated adventure

2008's The Clone Wars was the first animated feature film in the Star Wars franchise and takes us behind the scenes in the battle between Count Dooku's separatists and the Galactic Republic forces. Anakin and his new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, must rescue Jabba the Hutt's son, Rotta, who's been kidnapped by Count Dooku.

However, things don't go according to plan, and they get caught up in a conspiracy between the separatists and the Hutt family while trying to fulfill their mission. The movie didn't get the best reviews and plays out like an extended version of The Clone Wars animated series. It still delivers decent action and introduces fan-favorite character Ahsoka Tano to the Star Wars universe.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

The rise of Darth Vader

The Revenge of the Sith wrapped up the prequel trilogy with higher stakes and a darker tone. Count Dooku and his commander, General Grievous, have taken Supreme Chancellor Palpatine hostage, and it's up to Anakin and Obi-Wan to rescue him. They succeed in their mission, and Palpatine recruits Anakin to be his representative on the Jedi Council.

Palpatine unveils himself as the Sith Lord pulling the strings, and Anakin succumbs to his manipulation and joins the dark side to save his wife from dying. Together, they purge the Jedi and create the new Galactic Empire.

Yoda and Obi-Wan escape into exile, and Anakin completes his transformation into Darth Vader. The Revenge of the Sith features the series' defining lightsaber battles, which lead to the fall of the Jedi. It's full of emotional moments and is probably the most tragic chapter in the Star Wars franchise.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

A fun origin story

Solo: A Star Wars Story takes us on a detour from the main timeline to learn the origins of one of its most beloved characters. It chronicles Han Solo's upbringing and the events that shaped his life before becoming a smuggler. Han starts as an orphan thief who escapes life in a gang and joins the military. It isn't for him, and he runs away to become a part of a smuggling gang.

The gang must perform high-stakes heists for a crime boss while trying to stay one step ahead of the space pirates who are after the same score. Their adventures lead them to Lando Calrissian and the Millennium Falcon and end with double-crosses and deception. Solo: A Star Wars Story is often criticized for its by-the-books storyline. It still delivers lightweight space-western fun to satisfy your Star Wars itch.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

A standalone heist movie

Rogue One is a standalone movie that tells the story of how the rebels stole the Death Star's plans. It introduces new characters, like morally grey Cassian Andor, who reluctantly teams up with Jyn Erso, the daughter of an Imperial scientist, to unravel the Empire's secrets. To do this, they must battle Imperial troops on different planets to find intelligence before pulling off the climactic heist.

Rogue One is a breath of fresh air for Star Wars fans hungry for new characters and worlds not tied to the Skywalker Saga. It shows the lives and battles of the regular rebel grunts and takes on another dimension if you watch the Andor prequel series. The acting and visuals are top-notch, and it's probably the best spin-off in the franchise.

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

The one that started it all

The original Star Wars still holds up today as one of the best movies in the franchise. The Empire kidnaps Princess Leia, but she manages to get a distress message out to Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine.

He teams up with a young Luke Skywalker, and they hire smuggler Han Solo and his copilot Chewbacca to transport them to Alderaan. Things don't go as planned, and they end up fighting their way through the Death Star to save the princess. They manage to escape, but still need to destroy the Death Star, which threatens the Galaxy. Star Wars is one of the most influential and successful movies of all time, with a leaner, tighter plot and better dialogue than most of the sequels.

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The best sequel of all time

The Empire Strikes Back continues three years after the events in Star Wars. The Empire is hunting the rebels who are hiding on the icy planet Hoth. An Imperial probe discovers the rebels, who must flee when the Empire launches a ground assault on their base.

Luke Skywalker goes to the Dagobah system to seek out Master Yoda to complete his Jedi training. Han, Leia, and the rest of the crew go to Lando Calrissian's Cloud City to hide. Luke must abandon his training and save his friends after the Empire tracks them down.

The Empire Strikes Back isn't just a bigger and more action-packed sequel to the original. It takes the story in a new direction with its darker tone and includes one of the most iconic reveals in cinema history.

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

An epic conclusion to the trilogy

Return of the Jedi is an action-packed finale to round off the original saga. Luke and his friends must rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt's clutches on Tatooine. They then regroup with the rebel fleet to launch an attack on the new Death Star. The rebels will first need to destroy the shield generator on the nearby Endor moon to have a chance of taking out the Death Star.

It's a trap, and the Empire has set up an ambush to destroy them for good. Han and Leia must fight a ground battle with the help of the local Ewoks to disable the generator. Lando pilots the Millennium Falcon to help the X-wings and bombers hold off an attack from TIE fighters and Star Destroyers.

Meanwhile, Luke confronts Darth Vader and the Emperor on the Death Star to settle things between them once and for all. Return of the Jedi ends with a bang and is a satisfying and memorable end to the original trilogy.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

A lightweight bounty hunter adventure

2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu is a standalone feature which takes place between the original trilogy and the sequels. It continues the TV show's storyline with the titular heroes fulfilling contracts for the New Republic. They’re given an assignment to rescue Jabba the Hutt's son, Rotta, from a crime lord's gladiator pits in exchange for intelligence that will lead them to capture a wanted imperial warlord.

Mando manages to save Rotta and capture the warlord, but the other Hutts aren't pleased and put a bounty on his head. He must escape capture and defeat the Hutts with Grogu and Rotta's help. The Mandalorian and Grogu maintains the episodic feel of the show with a lighter tone to appeal to younger fans.