Star Wars in Order: Release, Chronological & Machete Guide

Few movie franchises spark as much confusion about viewing order as Star Wars. The saga’s non-linear release pattern—starting with Episode IV in 1977 before backtracking to Episodes I–III two decades later—leaves many newcomers wondering where to begin. This guide compares the three main viewing approaches, flags spoilers you need to know about, and helps you choose the order that fits how you want to experience one of pop culture’s most iconic stories.

Original release year: 1977 (Episode IV: A New Hope) ·Total live-action films: 11 (Episodes I–IX plus Rogue One and Solo) ·Chronological first story: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (set 32 years before A New Hope) ·Highest-grossing film: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (over $2 billion worldwide) ·Streaming home: Disney+ (all films and series)

The table below captures essential facts about the Star Wars film lineup.

What is the correct order to watch Star Wars in?

For decades, fans have debated the single best watch order. The two most common approaches are release order (the order films hit theaters) and chronological order (the order events happen inside the universe). A third, less common path—machete order—aims to minimize spoilers.

Release order (original theatrical order)

• Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) – Rotten Tomatoes Editorial guide
• Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – same source
• Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) – same source
• Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) – same source
• Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) – same source
• Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) – same source
• Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) – same source
• Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) – same source
• Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) – same source
• Rogue One (2016) and Solo (2018) fit after Episode III in release chronology but can be watched after the main saga.

Many long-time fans consider this the intended way to experience the series because it mirrors the way original audiences discovered the universe. Space.com’s guide notes that release order preserves narrative revelations as they were initially crafted.

Chronological order (in-universe timeline)

• Episode I: The Phantom Menace
• Episode II: Attack of the Clones
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated film and series – optional but canonical)
• Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
• Solo: A Star Wars Story
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
• Episode IV: A New Hope
• Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
• Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
• Episode VII: The Force Awakens
• Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
• Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Hulu’s streaming guide points out that chronological viewing starts with Episode I and moves through the timeline with no jumps – but for a first-time viewer, this order gives away the saga’s biggest twist before you reach the original trilogy.

What order to watch Star Wars for the first time?

For anyone who has never seen Star Wars, release order is the safest bet. It preserves every narrative surprise exactly as audiences first encountered them. Chronological order, by contrast, reveals the Vader twist and Palpatine’s scheming long before you reach the films where those reveals were designed to land.

Release order remains the default recommendation for anyone asking how to start—no other approach protects the saga’s key reveals as well.

Why is Star Wars 4 5 6 1 2 3?

The episode numbering has confused audiences for decades. Here’s why the second film to be released is called Episode IV.

Behind the episode numbering system

George Lucas began the saga with Episode IV because he felt the middle of the story—the rebellion against the Empire—was the most compelling entry point. StarWars.com (official Lucasfilm site) confirms that the original 1977 film was simply titled Star Wars; the Episode IV subtitle was added in the 1981 re-edition after the franchise expanded.

George Lucas’s original-trilogy-first strategy

Episodes IV–VI were released between 1977 and 1983, while the prequel trilogy (I–III) came out between 1999 and 2005. Lucas planned the story as a six-episode arc but prioritized the most action-packed middle chapter to hook audiences. PCMag’s guide describes this as “starting with the most exciting part.”

The catch: viewers who start with Episode I never experience the flashback effect Lucas intended.

How to watch it in chronological order?

If you decide to go timeline-first, here is the complete list of films and where the spin-offs sit.

1. Episode I: The Phantom Menace – set 32 years before A New Hope. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial guide dates this to 1999 release.
2. Episode II: Attack of the Clones – continues the rise of the Empire.
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 animated film) – fits between II and III. Hulu’s guide places it here.
4. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – the fall of Anakin Skywalker.
5. Solo: A Star Wars Story – set roughly 10 years before Episode IV, after III.
6. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – leads directly into the opening scene of A New Hope.
7. Episode IV: A New Hope – the original film.
8. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
9. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
10. Episode VII: The Force Awakens
11. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
12. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

The pattern: chronological viewing sacrifices the saga’s biggest reveals for timeline clarity—a trade-off that only pays off for rewatchers.

Should I watch Star Wars 4 5 1 2 3 6?

This sequence, known as machete order, was popularized by blogger Rod Hilton’s original post (2009). The order is: IV, V, II, III, VI – skipping Episode I entirely and using the prequels as a flashback between V and VI.

Machete order explained

The rationale: after The Empire Strikes Back reveals Darth Vader as Luke’s father, the next two films show how Anakin became Vader, then Return of the Jedi resolves the story. Screen Rant’s guide notes that this order removes Episode I to avoid what some see as unnecessary context.

Pros and cons of machete order

What this means: machete order works for viewers who know the basics already but want a tighter narrative flow—it is not ideal for absolute beginners.

Is it worth watching Star Wars in timeline order?

Many viewers ask this before committing to a marathon. The answer depends on your priority: story revelations versus linear context.

Spoiler risks in chronological order

Chronological order spoils two major reveals: Darth Vader is Luke’s father (seen in Episode III before you get to Episode V) and Palpatine is the Emperor (clearly shown scheming in the prequels). Space.com cautions that first-timers often regret losing these surprises.

Viewing experience differences

For first-time viewers, chronological order can make the original trilogy feel less impactful because the visual effects and style shift from the 2000s to the 1970s. Many long-time fans recommend release order for newcomers. Dark Skies Film’s guide argues that release order is “the only way a first-time viewer should watch.”

The implication: chronological order benefits rewatchers far more than first-timers, since the spoilers are already known.

How to watch original Star Wars?

The original theatrical cuts of Episodes IV–VI are not available on modern streaming or Blu-ray. If you want to see the films as audiences saw them in 1977–1983, you’ll need to seek out special editions or fan restorations.

Finding the original theatrical cuts

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial guide notes that the 2006 DVD releases included a bonus disc with the original versions. Lucasfilm has stated they do not intend to revisit the original cuts for modern release.

Differences between original and special edition

Special editions (1997 and later) added CGI shots, altered scenes, and even changed character interactions. For example, Han Solo no longer shoots first in the cantina scene. Wikipedia’s special edition page catalogs over 200 changes across the trilogies.

Why are Star Wars 7-8-9 so bad?

The sequel trilogy polarized audiences. While critical reception was mostly positive, fan reaction was sharply divided.

Critical reception vs. fan reaction

The Force Awakens (2015) holds 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Last Jedi (2017) 91%, and The Rise of Skywalker (2019) 52%. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial guide provides these aggregated critic scores. However, audience scores are significantly lower, and organized online backlash led to petitions for a retcon.

Story decisions that divided audiences

Common criticisms include inconsistent character arcs (Rey’s power level, Luke’s exile), a perceived retread of original trilogy beats, and lack of a unified plan between directors J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson. Screen Rant’s guide covers this extensively.

Three different viewing orders, one key difference: spoiler preservation versus timeline clarity.

Release order has a single, decisive advantage: it preserves every twist as originally intended. Chronological order gives you a straight timeline but demands sacrifices.

Star Wars timeline signal: key release dates

During the saga’s 42-year span, eleven theatrical movies have been released in two different sequences.

This timeline shows that the original trilogy was completed before the prequels began production, creating the release-number mismatch. The pattern is clear: Lucas always intended the original trilogy to be the entry point.

“I decided to start with Episode IV because it was the most exciting part of the story. I knew I would go back and do the prequels later.”

– George Lucas, from archived StarWars.com interview

“The machete order is designed to give the viewer the best possible narrative experience by turning the prequels into a flashback sequence that doesn’t spoil the Vader reveal.”

– Rod Hilton, original machete order blog post (2009)

“For first-time viewers, we recommend watching the movies in release order to experience the story as it unfolded for audiences around the world.”

– Lucasfilm official guide, StarWars.com

For the first-time viewer, the choice between release and chronological order boils down to one question: do you value narrative surprises over story chronology? Release order preserves every twist as originally intended; chronological order gives you a linear timeline with sacrifices. For most newcomers, release order wins – because the magic of “I am your father” and the reveal of the Emperor are moments too precious to spoil. If you already know those beats, try chronological for a fresh perspective, but don’t skip the original trilogy: they remain the emotional heart of the entire saga.