Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (2024)

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Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (1)

(Photo by Fox/ courtesy Everett Collection)

If you want to watch the Star Wars movies in chronological order, witnessing the separate rises of Anakin, Luke, and Rey as they unfolded in their timeline, we’ve ordered all the movies (and thrown in some bonus Mandalorian) in one complete list.

The Star Wars movies are spread across three trilogies, with spin-offs and side-stories filling in the universe’s mythic lore. First comes the prequel trilogy (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith), introducing prodigy Anakin Skywalker and his fall from Jedi light side to become Darth Vader. You can wedge in 2008’s The Clone Wars between Attack and Revenge, which was followed up with its own, much better-received animated series. The Obi-Wan Kenobi show is set close after that.

Afterwards, it’s time to meet a certain space rogue in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Next in the timeline would be animated show Star Wars Rebels, which takes place simultaneously with Andor. The political thriller series famously leads intoRogue One, a movie whose story events lead directly into the original trilogy. We’ll see Luke Skywalker emerging from the desert, his hero’s journey against the Galactic Empire seen across A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi. The infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, no longer canon, can be viewed between Hope and Empire if you’re into that kind of thing.

Additionally, two 1980s TV movies, Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (also both now uncanonized) have generally been placed as occurringbefore Return of the Jedi.

But that’s all that remains for strange satellite films within Star Wars: In 2014, a great disturbance was felt when the Lucasfilm Story Group rebooted the canon, preserving the main films and shows, and punting the associated TV movies, books, games, and comics into the “Star Wars Legends” category. That now leaves the reconstructive decades post-Return of the Jedi wide open for stories, withThe Mandalorian the first to officially toss his helmet in.

Finally, we approach the sequel trilogy, as Rey (last name pending) takes on the Jedi mantle in The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. Animated series Star Wars Resistance runs parallel across the three sequel-trilogy movies. Now see the full list of Star Wars movies and shows in order below!(And for more guides, check outStar Warsmovies ranked by Tomatometer.) —Alex Vo

#1

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (3) 52%

#1

Adjusted Score: 64828%

Critics Consensus: Burdened by exposition and populated with stock characters, The Phantom Menace gets the Star Wars prequels off to a bumpy -- albeit visually dazzling -- start.

Synopsis: Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful... [More]

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd

Directed By: George Lucas


#2

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (5) 65%

#2

Adjusted Score: 74028%

Critics Consensus: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones benefits from an increased emphasis on thrilling action, although it's undercut by ponderous plot points and underdeveloped characters.

Synopsis: Set ten years after the events of "The Phantom Menace," the Republic continues to be mired in strife and chaos.... [More]

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Christopher Lee

Directed By: George Lucas


#3

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (7) 19%

#3

Adjusted Score: 25724%

Critics Consensus: Mechanical animation and a less-than stellar script make The Clone Wars a pale shadow of George Lucas' once great franchise.

Synopsis: As more star systems get swept into the Clone Wars, the valiant Jedi knights struggle to maintain order. Anakin Skywalker... [More]

Starring: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor, Dee Bradley Baker

Directed By: Dave Filoni


#4

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (9) 79%

#4

Adjusted Score: 90914%

Critics Consensus: With Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas brings his second Star Wars trilogy to a suitably thrilling and often poignant -- if still a bit uneven -- conclusion.

Synopsis: It has been three years since the Clone Wars began. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Knight Anakin... [More]

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid

Directed By: George Lucas


Synopsis: Members of a unique squad of clones find their way in a changing galaxy in the aftermath of the Clone... [More]

Starring: Dee Bradley Baker, Ming-Na Wen, Stephen Stanton, Andrew Kishino

Directed By: Dave Filoni, Athena Portillo, Jennifer Corbett, Brad Rau


#6

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (13) 69%

#6

Adjusted Score: 96330%

Critics Consensus: A flawed yet fun and fast-paced space adventure, Solo: A Star Wars Story should satisfy newcomers to the saga as well as longtime fans who check their expectations at the theater door.

Synopsis: Young Han Solo finds adventure when he joins forces with a gang of galactic smugglers and a 190-year-old Wookie named... [More]

Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson

Directed By: Ron Howard


Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (15) 82%

#7

Synopsis: The Jedi Master contends with the consequences of his greatest defeat -- the downfall and corruption of his one-time friend... [More]

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton

Directed By: Joby Harold, Deborah Chow, Deborah Chow, Kathleen Kennedy


Star Wars Rebels (2014) Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (17) 98%

#8

Synopsis: This animated entry in the "Star Wars" franchise fills the gap between the events of "Episode III" and "Episode IV."... [More]

Starring: David Oyelowo, Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Steve Blum

Directed By: Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg, Henry Gilroy, Greg Weisman


Andor (2022) Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (19) 96%

#9

Synopsis: Rebel spy Cassian Andor's formative years of the Rebellion.... [More]

Starring: Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O'Reilly, Forest Whitaker

Directed By: Tony Gilroy, Kathleen Kennedy, Diego Luna


#10

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (21) 84%

#10

Adjusted Score: 106623%

Critics Consensus: Rogue One draws deep on Star Wars mythology while breaking new narrative and aesthetic ground -- and suggesting a bright blockbuster future for the franchise.

Synopsis: Former scientist Galen Erso lives on a farm with his wife and young daughter, Jyn. His peaceful existence comes crashing... [More]

Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen


#11

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (23) 93%

#11

Adjusted Score: 109349%

Critics Consensus: A legendarily expansive and ambitious start to the sci-fi saga, George Lucas opened our eyes to the possibilities of blockbuster filmmaking and things have never been the same.

Synopsis: The Imperial Forces -- under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) -- hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in... [More]

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness

Directed By: George Lucas


#12

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (25) 95%

#12

Adjusted Score: 107246%

Critics Consensus: Dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels.

Synopsis: The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)... [More]

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams

Directed By: Irvin Kershner


#13

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (27) 82%

#13

Adjusted Score: 93113%

Critics Consensus: Though failing to reach the cinematic heights of its predecessors, Return of the Jedi remains an entertaining sci-fi adventure and a fitting end to the classic trilogy.

Synopsis: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) battles horrible Jabba the Hut and cruel Darth Vader to save his comrades in the Rebel... [More]

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams

Directed By: Richard Marquand


The Mandalorian (2019) Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (29) 90%

#14

Synopsis: After the fall of the Galactic Empire, a lone gunfighter makes his way through the outer reaches of the lawless... [More]

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito

Directed By: Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson


The Book of Boba Fett (2021) Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (31) 66%

#15

Synopsis: On the sands of Tatooine, bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand navigate the Galaxy's underworld and fight for... [More]

Starring: Temuera Morrison, Ming-Na Wen

Directed By: Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Robert Rodriguez, Kathleen Kennedy


Star Wars: Ahsoka (2023) Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (33) 86%

#16

Synopsis: Former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.... [More]

Starring: Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ray Stevenson

Directed By: Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson


Star Wars Resistance (2018) Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (35) 92%

#17

Synopsis: Young New Republic pilot Kazuda Xiono is recruited by Resistance Commander Poe Dameron for a secret mission on Colossus --... [More]

Starring: Christopher Sean, Suzie McGrath, Scott Lawrence, Myrna Velasco

Directed By: Justin Ridge, Brandon Auman, Athena Portillo


#18

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (37) 93%

#18

Adjusted Score: 115681%

Critics Consensus: Packed with action and populated by both familiar faces and fresh blood, The Force Awakens successfully recalls the series' former glory while injecting it with renewed energy.

Synopsis: Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren... [More]

Starring: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver

Directed By: J.J. Abrams


#19

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (39) 91%

#19

Adjusted Score: 118251%

Critics Consensus: Star Wars: The Last Jedi honors the saga's rich legacy while adding some surprising twists -- and delivering all the emotion-rich action fans could hope for.

Synopsis: Luke Skywalker's peaceful and solitary existence gets upended when he encounters Rey, a young woman who shows strong signs of... [More]

Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley

Directed By: Rian Johnson


#20

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (41) 51%

#20

Adjusted Score: 79117%

Critics Consensus: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker suffers from a frustrating lack of imagination, but concludes this beloved saga with fan-focused devotion.

Synopsis: When it's discovered that the evil Emperor Palpatine did not die at the hands of Darth Vader, the rebels must... [More]

Starring: Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (42)Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (43)

Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (44)Star Wars Movies In Order: How to Watch the Saga Chronologically (45)

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