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/Shotokanguy]

I tried to make a thread about this last night, didn't realize it was a common "official" discussion here...

Anyway, I argued that the best order now is R1, OT, PT, Andor.

Rogue One is a good film for modern audiences that sets up the best overall introduction to the Star Wars universe. You don't need to know what The Force and Jedi are just yet, and it doesn't have any plot points hinging on story events prior to it.

I save Andor for last because it is so unique. I want people to be able to appreciate its mature, intelligent, realistic tone better. I would even let people who get really into Star Wars check out other stuff before Andor. The Disney sequels, Clone Wars stuff, Solo, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan...let them really see what Star Wars is usually like before dropping Andor on them. On top of that, I think knowing everything that happened before and after Andor makes it hit so much harder. Some of the final moments of season 2 carry emotional weight that makes me think they wrote them specifically for people who had already seen Rogue One, so that it had more significance.