Star Wars Movies in Order for Every Watchlist

Star Wars Movies in Order: Release and Chronological Watchlists

Key takeaways

• For a first-time watch, release order is the simplest choice.
• Chronological order follows the broad timeline of events in the films.
• The movie-only lists include 12 theatrical movies, including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Rogue One and Solo.
• The nine numbered episodes make up the Skywalker Saga; TV shows aren’t required to follow either movie list.

Table of contents

• Star Wars movies in release order
• Star Wars movies in chronological order
• Which Star Wars watch order is best?
• Skywalker Saga vs. all Star Wars movies
• Where do Rogue One and Solo fit?
• Is The Clone Wars movie required?
• Quick answer: Which list should you use?

For a first-time watch, the simplest choice is release order: it follows how the films originally reached audiences and preserves the saga’s intended sequence of reveals. If you’d rather follow events in the Star Wars story timeline, use the chronological list below.

The two orders differ because the nine-film Skywalker Saga was released out of episode order: the original trilogy came first, followed by the prequels and then the sequels. The lists here cover the theatrical movies, including the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the standalone films Rogue One and Solo. They don’t include TV series.

Star Wars movies in release order

This is the order to choose if you’re new to the films. It lets the main story unfold as it did for original audiences, rather than starting with events that were depicted later as prequels. A New Hope was released under the title Star Wars in 1977; the “Episode IV: A New Hope” title was added later. The official Star Wars movie guide distinguishes the numbered saga from the standalone films and other franchise releases.

Star Wars movies in chronological order

This movie-only order follows the broad timeline of events in the films. It starts with the prequel trilogy and ends with the sequel trilogy.

1. The Phantom Menace (Episode I)
2. Attack of the Clones (Episode II)
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated film)
4. Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
5. Solo: A Star Wars Story
6. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
7. A New Hope (Episode IV)
8. The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V)
9. Return of the Jedi (Episode VI)
10. The Force Awakens (Episode VII)
11. The Last Jedi (Episode VIII)
12. The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX)

Disney+’s chronological Star Wars guide places the saga films from Episode I through Episode IX and includes The Clone Wars in its broader timeline. The list above keeps to movies: a full timeline that includes television would also add series, some of which sit between or alongside the films.

Which Star Wars watch order is best?

For a first watch, choose release order. It’s a straightforward introduction to the franchise and avoids jumping backward and forward between films made decades apart. It also lets the story’s major revelations arrive in the order the movies presented them.

For a rewatch, chronological order is a good alternative. It follows the story from the events of The Phantom Menace to those of The Rise of Skywalker. This can make connections across different eras easier to follow, though it changes the sequence in which some information is revealed.

Neither order is a rule. The main thing is to decide whether you want to follow the films’ release history or their in-universe timeline—and then stick to that approach.

Skywalker Saga vs. all Star Wars movies

The Skywalker Saga is the nine numbered episodes: Episodes I–IX. In release order, those films are:

• Original trilogy: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi
• Prequel trilogy: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith
• Sequel trilogy: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker

The theatrical movie lineup also includes Rogue One and Solo, which are standalone stories rather than numbered saga episodes. Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated theatrical film; it isn’t one of the nine Skywalker Saga films. The official franchise guide covers movies and series, so check the format if you’re using it to build a movie-only list.

You don’t need to watch the TV shows to follow the feature films in either list. They add more stories and characters, but this guide keeps the sequence focused on theatrical movies.

Where do Rogue One and Solo fit?

Solo: A Star Wars Story takes place after Revenge of the Sith and before the original trilogy. In a chronological movie marathon, watch it after Episode III.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set just before A New Hope, leading into the events of the original 1977 film. Watch it immediately before A New Hope if you want the chronological transition. In release order, it comes after The Force Awakens because that’s when it was released.

These placements explain why the two standalone films appear in different spots depending on the list you follow.

Is The Clone Wars movie required?

No. The animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars is part of the theatrical movie lineup, but it isn’t a numbered Skywalker Saga episode. Include it if you want a complete movie watchlist; skip it if you only want to watch the nine main saga films.

The film is also separate from The Clone Wars television series. Broader franchise timelines may include the show as well as the movie, and can place episodes around other films. For a movie-only marathon, the list above gives you a clear sequence without requiring any series.

Quick answer: Which list should you use?

• First time watching? Use release order.
• Rewatching the whole story by timeline? Use chronological order.
• Only interested in the main saga? Watch Episodes I–IX; you can leave out Rogue One, Solo and The Clone Wars.
• Want all the theatrical movies in one run? Use either 12-film list above, depending on whether release history or story chronology matters more to you.

For most newcomers, release order is the easiest place to start. Chronological order is a useful alternative when you want the story to move from its earliest events to its latest.