Nine saga films, spin-off movies, and a dozen Disney+ shows: Star Wars has become a universe as dense as Marvel. Before diving in (or getting someone else hooked), you need to pick an order — and there isn't ONE right answer, there are three.
The full checklist: Star Wars, movies and shows, in release and chronological orderRelease order: the original experience (recommended for a first watch)
You discover the saga the way audiences lived it: the reveals land at the right moment (THE Empire Strikes Back twist only works if you haven't seen the prequels first). It's the safest order for a first viewing: original trilogy (IV, V, VI), prequels (I, II, III), then sequels (VII, VIII, IX), with Rogue One and Solo as interludes.
Chronological order: for a story re-read
From The Phantom Menace to The Rise of Skywalker, following the galaxy's timeline. It's the ideal order for a REwatch, and it's where the shows shine: The Clone Wars between episodes II and III (an animated show: our checklist sticks to live-action movies and shows), Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor between III and IV, The Mandalorian and Ahsoka after VI…
'Machete order': the fan hack
- IV, V, then II and III as a 'flashback', then VI
- Episode I is skipped (purists own it)
- Guaranteed effect: the Vader reveal stays intact AND Anakin's fall becomes the heart of the story
The real problem: keeping track over months
Whatever order you pick, a Star Wars marathon spans weeks. The classic trap: forgetting where you are between sessions, or missing a show that slots in the middle. That's exactly why we built WatchTrail 'universes': the full saga as an ordered checklist (release or chronological), movies AND shows episode by episode, with your progress checked off as you go.
Track your progress: Star Wars