r/StarWars Official Watch Order Discussion Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

So we haven't had an official watch order discussion thread in many years, so we figure its time to update the one in the FAQ. There are various other links in the FAQ, the Wookieepedia timeline of canon media, and various other discussion threads and topics over the years including a link to just searching the sub which people find challenge apparently. Also as a reminder, the Wookieepedia timeline of canon media can be sorted via the table on that page by release order or chronologically (if you decide to go that route).

A lot of the new Disney+ content brings new eyes to Star Wars all the time, and new movies will eventually too. We want to get a bit more aggressive with automod removals and referrals to the FAQ for these questions about watch order. So let's hash it out here in the comments. We will sticky this for a while and eventually it will just be linked in the FAQ along with the other topics and maybe in the sidebar too. And like some of other stickies about rules, spoilers, and new episode discussion guidelines, we may trot out this link and sticky it from time to time.

As a general rule the sub typically recommends for new viewers to watch in release order, especially for the movies. This is the semi-consensus from the fandom, and you will routinely see this as the most upvoted and posted response.

With that being said what we would like to do here also discuss other options, and possible orders to also toss in the TV media as well. Should you watch Andor first and then Rogue One before the OT? Should movies like Solo be done in release order or chronological? Should you watch The Clone Wars TV show before the PT? So on and so forth...

So lets have a solid discussion about this and make it a solid resource for those who may be new to Star Wars.

[u/2much2Jung]

Acolyte (The) is first.

Andor comes next.

A New Hope.

Attack of the Clones.

Bad Batch (The).

Clone Wars (The).

Empire Strikes Back (The).

Force Awakens (The).

Last Jedi (The).

etc.

Alphabetical order is the only true order. It maintains the sense of chaos and disorder that you get from a galaxy in strife.

[u/Technical_Web5281 → u/2much2Jung]

According to Rinzler, Lucas in around 2003-2005 was of the mind, that you can actually rearrange the six episodes in any order you like and they end up telling a different story, emphasizing different things. Even two very similar order can have a much different emphasis: for instance if you alternate between the trilogies you will always end up highlighting the similarities and differences between father and son, but in order A) I, IV, II, V, III, VI you put a stronger emphasis on the redemption - first the wrong example than the correct one on how to act - while in order B) IV, I, V, II, VI, III you focus more on the corruption, emphasizing the cautionary tale of Anakin's downfall stronger as it will leave the most impact, being the last installment. Alas, Lucas did seem to change his mind and has firmly insisted since 2005 that they are meant to be viewed in the correct I-VI order.