How to Watch Star Wars Movies in Order

Star Wars is a famous science fiction movie and is operated by Lucasfilm Ltd. You can watch all the nine episodes in the Skywalker Saga and the standalone movies like Rogue One and Solo on Disney+. It is not easy to watch Star Wars in order, as they have been in existence for 40+ years with 16 movies. There are different orders in which you can watch the Star Wars movies. You can watch Star Wars in five different orders.

How to Watch Star Wars in Order
  1. Theatrical Release Order
  2. Chronological Order
  3. Machete Order
  4. Godfather Cut Order
  5. Rinster Order

Theatrical Release Order

Theatrical or production release order is the order that depends upon the release date of the movie or series in the theatres. This is the actual order to see the original trilogy and prequel movies of Star Wars. You can under a clear vision of the story. It is the most preferred order to watch Star Wars movies.

  • Episode IV: A New Hope
  • Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
  • Episode I: The Phantom Menace
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones
  • Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
  • Episode VII: The Force Awakens
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
  • Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story
  • Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Chronological Order to Watch Star Wars Movies

Chronological order is the order where the episodes and the movies are in a certain form. Watch the Star Wars movie in Chronological order. But this order entirely ruined the story. So don’t prefer this order if you are watching the movie for the very first time.

  • Episode I: The Phantom Menace
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars
  • Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story
  • Star Wars Rebels
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
  • Episode IV: A New Hope
  • Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
  • The Mandalorian
  • The Book of Boba Fett
  • Star Wars: Resistance
  • Episode VII: The Force Awakens
  • Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
  • Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Machete Order

The name Machete order comes from Rod Hilton, a popular independent blogger. Machete’s order doesn’t have The Phantom Menace episode from the last, but it preserves the “No Luke, I am your father” moment and it is not a complete order of Star Wars. Watch Star Wars in Machete Order to see the difference between the two episodes, like episodes I & II, IV & V.

  • Episode IV: A New Hope
  • Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones
  • Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
  • Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
  • Episode VII: The Force Awakens
  • Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
  • Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Godfather Order

Almost Godfather order and Machete order are the same. The only difference is you don’t have The Phantom Menace episode in the Machete Order.

  • Episode IV: A New Hope
  • Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Episode I: The Phantom Menace
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones
  • Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
  • Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Rinster Order to Watch Star Wars Movies

Rinster order is named after the Star Wars fan Ernest Rinster. You can watch the Luke-father twist with The Phantom Menace episode, which is more similar to the Godfather order.

  • Episode IV: A New Hope
  • Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Episode I: The Phantom Menace
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones
  • Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
  • Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

To watch all the original episodes and movies of Star Wars, you need 25 hours and 7 minutes. To cover the episode from I to IX, the watch time will be 20 hours and 39 minutes.

The run time of the Star War movies are

  • A New Hope is 121 minutes
  • The Empire Strikes Back is 124 minutes
  • Return of the Jedi is 131 minutes
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is 133 minutes
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story is 135 minutes
  • The Phantom Menace is 136 minutes
  • The Force Awakens is 138 minutes
  • Revenge of the Sith is 140 minutes
  • Attack of the Clones is 142 minutes
  • The Last Jedi is 152 minutes
  • The Rise of Skywalker is 155 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the best order to watch Star Wars?

Theatrical Release order is the best order to watch Star Wars movies.

2. Why did Star Wars start with Episode 4?

Star Wars Episode 4 – The New Hope is the first movie with respect to the timeline.