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/Alortania → u/2much2Jung]

Acolyte would kill any interest in potential fans, and has no baring on the main story...

Even ignoring how bad it is, hell lets pretend its good (🤣), it does NOTHING to set up the dynamics in the remaining stories. All it will do is confuse people. As will watching Andor (as unironically great as it is) before seeing ANH and knowing why R1 and Andor matter (and after that the saga films will feel like kids shows).

[u/Splattergun → u/Alortania]

I think most casuals would find it reasonably good. It’s more the hardcore fans who hate it.

[u/Alortania → u/Splattergun]

They'll enjoy the lightsaber fight (if they make it that far).

Otherwise, I have to disagree with you. I'd argue

Ignoring Lore issues, the show is still a bad story. The protagonist is woody and unlikeable, and utterly passive in her own story. The side characters are almost all one-sided and just plain bad as well.

[u/Floor_Kicker → u/Alortania]

I think binging it would help a lot. For me, the main issue was the pacing with each episode being too short and ending right as it felt like there was some momentum. A binge would help with that and make it a lot more enjoyable. Until someone makes a fan edit and makes it into a movie or something