Star Wars Movies in Order: Track All 13 Films

Which Star Wars order should you choose?

For a first watch, start with A New Hope and follow release order. You meet the characters and discover the galaxy as audiences originally did. Episode numbers describe the Skywalker saga’s story sequence, so Episode IV being first in release order is intentional.

The nine-episode route is the original trilogy (IV, V, VI), the prequel trilogy (I, II, III), then the sequel trilogy (VII, VIII, IX). You can finish that central story first and return to the other films, or follow all 13 in release order using the list.

Star Wars movies in chronological order

For a rewatch through the main story’s timeline, use this sequence:

1. The Phantom Menace
2. Attack of the Clones
3. The Clone Wars
4. Revenge of the Sith
5. Solo: A Star Wars Story
6. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
7. A New Hope
8. The Empire Strikes Back
9. Return of the Jedi
10. The Mandalorian and Grogu
11. The Force Awakens
12. The Last Jedi
13. The Rise of Skywalker

This order follows each film’s main action. Flashbacks and the television series weave around that sequence, particularly during the Clone Wars and New Republic eras.

Choose a manageable viewing project

A trilogy makes a satisfying three-film target: original, prequel or sequel. Rogue One followed by A New Hope is a closely connected two-film pairing for a rewatch. Solo explores Han’s earlier adventures, while the animated Clone Wars film introduces Ahsoka and opens another part of the galaxy.

The runtime column offers approximate viewing time. Leave room for breaks and credits, and check your chosen edition when planning an evening; different releases can vary. If you are watching with someone new to Star Wars, avoid detailed character histories and later-film trailers until you reach them.

Continue your watchlist

Planning another film-series watchlist? Explore the Harry Potter movies in order or Marvel movies in order.

First-time viewers choosing a starting point, returning fans planning a chronological rewatch, and friends comparing which Star Wars films they have seen.

Check the films you have already watched, then save your record. Each film’s details explain its place in the series without revealing its ending. Release order and story order give you two routes through the same films; checking a title records that you have seen it, whichever route you follow. With Save & Compare, each person keeps their own checklist and the group brings everyone’s progress together.