Release order vs chronological order
The phrase "correct order" can mean two things for Star Wars: the release order in which the films and series arrived, and the chronological order of the story events themselves. Release order is how the saga shaped audience expectations over time; chronological order follows the timeline as events happen in-universe. For most new viewers today, watching the core saga in release order (Episodes I–IX with key spin‑offs placed between episodes where they narratively fit) balances narrative impact and accessibility. Chronological order places the prequel trilogy first, followed by The Clone Wars era, The Original Trilogy, The Sequel Trilogy, and newer shows and films. Understanding both orders helps you choose the route that matches your intent.
Canonical main saga films
The episodic saga consists of nine main films released between 1999 and 2019. The first three released (Episodes I–III) form the prequel arc; the next three (Episodes IV–VI) the original arc; the final three (Episodes VII–IX) the sequel arc. Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015), Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017), Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). This sequence preserves both the intended release rhythm and the in‑story chronology.
Release sequence table
| Episode | Title | Release Year | Chronological Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | The Phantom Menace | 1999 | 32 BBY |
| II | Attack of the Clones | 2002 | 22 BBY |
| III | Revenge of the Sith | 2005 | 19 BBY |
| IV | A New Hope | 1977 | 0 BBY |
| V | The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 | 3 ABY |
| VI | Return of the Jedi | 1983 | 4 ABY |
| VII | The Force Awakens | 2015 | 34 ABY |
| VIII | The Last Jedi | 2017 | 34 ABY |
| IX | The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 | 35 ABY |
Chronological (in‑story) order
In terms of when the story events occur, the saga unfolds as: The prequel era (Episodes I–III), the early rebellion and Clone Wars, the original trilogy (Episodes IV–VI), the immediate aftermath of Return of the Jedi, the rise of the First Order and sequel era (Episodes VII–IX), and the High Republic and later projects. Watching chronologically places The Phantom Menace first and The Rise of Skywalker last among the main films, with intervening projects like The Clone Wars series filling the long gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
Chronological sequence list
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (32 BBY)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (22 BBY)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (19 BBY)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008, animated series bridging to Rebels)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (13–10 BBY, origin story set between III and IV)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi series and other Rebels-era content (14–15 BBY)
- Episode IV: A New Hope (0 BBY)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (3–4 ABY)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (4 ABY)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (0 BBY, immediately before Episode IV)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (34 ABY)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (34 ABY)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (35 ABY)
Viewing recommendations by goal
If you want the intended cinematic experience as audiences originally encountered it, follow release order. If you want the story to unfold as a continuous timeline, prioritize chronological order with the main films, then fill gaps with series and films like The Clone Wars, Solo, and Rogue One that are tightly integrated to the saga’s flow.
Path A: Release order (recommended for most viewers)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Solo: 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
Path B: Chronological order (story timeline)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Obi-Wan Kenobi and other early rebellion content
- 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
Key spin‑offs and where they fit
Several films and series are essential to the overall saga but are not numbered episodes. Solo enriches the backstory of Han and Lando between Episodes III and IV. Rogue One directly precedes Episode IV as the story of the Death Star plans. The Clone Wars series and Rebels cover the Clone Wars era between Episodes II and III, while Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor explore the early rebellion between Episodes III and IV. The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett occur after Episode VI, leading into the sequel era, culminating in The Rise of Skywalker.
Where to watch and what to expect
Availability varies by region and platform; films commonly rotate among major streamers and remain on disc/physical media. Series appear on Disney+ and select licensed services. Prequel content enriches understanding of the Force, politics, and galaxy-spanning conflict, while the original trilogy remains the emotional core for many fans. The sequel trilogy introduces new conflicts and concludes long‑standing arcs, tying the saga to newer characters and themes.
Final recommendation
For a balanced, durable understanding of the Star Wars universe, start with the release order to respect cinematic impact and storytelling craft, then revisit chronologically to appreciate the full timeline, deep cuts, and interconnected storytelling across films and series.