Should you’re somebody who hasn’t seen any Star Wars motion pictures or reveals, we’ve put collectively the right watch order for anybody experiencing the franchise for the primary time. Whereas you’d assume it’d be finest to go together with chronological order, that’s not the case. Should you observe our advice, you’ll discover the expertise extra gratifying and be prepared for what comes subsequent.
Greatest order to look at Star Wars motion pictures and TV reveals for newcomers
Should you’re watching Star Wars for the primary time, you’re finest off beginning your watch order the place all of it started:
1. Galactic Civil Conflict Period (The Authentic Trilogy)
The unique Star Wars trilogy movies are broadly thought-about to be among the finest sci-fi productions of all time. Moreover, they have been (clearly) written at some extent the place there wasn’t (a number of) expanded universes and require no prerequisite data.
Because you’re beginning with the perfect, you’ll shortly know whether or not Star Wars is for you or not. Should you don’t like the unique trilogy, it’s extremely unlikely any of the opposite productions are going to make the franchise click on for you.
1a. (Non-obligatory) Vacation Particular, Droids, and Ewoks
These have been created primarily based on ideas seen within the unique trilogy. Nevertheless, solely Droids is canon at this level, and most agree these are among the decrease factors of the franchise.
Star Wars Vacation Particular
Star Wars turned a shock phenomenon when it was launched in 1977, and in its wake got here the fits. Lucasfilm determined {that a} tv particular was a good suggestion however left manufacturing largely within the palms of CBS. Selection reveals have been a scorching ticket on the time, in order that’s the course CBS took it, and the consequence was the Star Wars Vacation Particular.
It was an absolute catastrophe when it was launched in 1978 and has solely been proven as soon as on broadcast TV in its entirety. For many years, it was solely out there through bootleg, however it lastly noticed an official house video launch in 2021 when it was added to Disney Plus.
It’s price watching due to how absurdly dangerous it’s and the appearances from the unique forged. It’s additionally the origin of Boba Fett, which some would say makes up for its dangerous points.
Ewoks
After Return of the Jedi was launched, the franchise was in a bizarre place. Whereas it was extremely fashionable, Lucasfilm was content material to use it as a merchandise car and let it stagnate. As an alternative of constructing new Star Wars motion pictures or TV reveals itself, it licensed it out for a number of productions geared toward kids (to promote extra toys) set between The Empire Strikes Again and Return of the Jedi.
The three productions centering round Ewoks are:
The primary two are made-for-TV motion pictures that lack the ingenuity and attraction of the unique Star Wars movies. Those that take pleasure in that exact eighties The Darkish Crystal vibe will take pleasure in them, however there’s not quite a bit right here for followers of the Star Wars franchise.
These have been adopted up with an Ewoks cartoon, which ran for 2 seasons from 1985 to 1986. Sadly, it was primarily an try to money in on the Care Bears and Smurfs phenomenon. Sadly, apart from a number of episodes, this sequence is banal within the excessive. Audiences didn’t stick, and after poor toy gross sales, the sequence was dropped. All three of the Ewoks productions are actually non-canon however could be considered on Disney Plus.
Droids
- Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO (Animated Sequence, 1985)
The Droids cartoon sequence was launched together with the primary season of Ewoks and takes place earlier than A New Hope. In it, R2-D2 and C-3PO change from proprietor to proprietor and discover themselves in a sequence of adventures because of this. It’s focused towards kids and depends on easy plots that aren’t at all times interesting to adults.
Nevertheless, Droids does have some redeeming qualities. IG-88 and Boba Fett are featured in an episode every, and points of the sequence (Admiral Screed particularly) are nonetheless canon.
2. Clone Wars Period (The Prequel Trilogy)
Regardless of being prequels to the unique trilogy, viewers will profit from having earlier data of the franchise earlier than watching these. These movies assume the viewers already is aware of what the drive and Jedi are and that you just acknowledge names like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and Palpatine.
The prequel trilogy is the jumping-off level for most of the TV sequence. Fortunately, these assist fill the gaps between the flicks and significantly broaden the story.
2a. Clone Wars
There are a number of animated works which broaden on the Clone Wars:
These aren’t to be confused with Star Wars: Clone Wars, which aired on Cartoon Community from 2003 to 2005 and is not thought-about canon.
3. Rise of the Empire
There are a number of motion pictures and TV reveals set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope that present the rise of the Galactic Empire and the start of the Galactic Civil Conflict:
4. The New Republic Period
Within the wake of Return of the Jedi, the Insurgent Alliance turns into the New Republic, and the galaxy enters an period of relative peace. Nevertheless, alongside the frontiers, hassle stirs within the areas the place the Republic’s presence is stretched skinny:
5. First Order Period (Sequel Trilogy)
The controversial sequel trilogy caps off the present Star Wars canon. Whereas many followers would say you’re higher off skipping these motion pictures solely, your journey isn’t full till you courageous them.
Disney is already planning movies set earlier than and after the sequel trilogy, so this record will proceed to broaden. Nevertheless, for now, that is our really helpful Star Wars watch order for anybody experiencing the franchise for the primary time.
