It's time to catch up on 'Star Wars': Best viewing order for your binge
Due to my older brother's love for the franchise, "Star Wars" has always been a part of my life. With Disney+ constantly reinventing new ways to promote and add to the series, I think it’s suitable to discuss the proper order in which all the "Star Wars" movies and TV shows should be watched.
Even if you're a "Star Wars" veteran, in fact, the series "The Mandalorian" on Disney+ and other series "The Book of Boba Fett," take place five years after "The Last Jedi."
The new "Obi-wan Kenobi" series will be taking place precisely in-between "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" — so, it might be time for a rewatch if you want to understand the timelines of each show and movie.
Daunting, I know, but the following guide can help with the viewing of each "Star Wars" movie that you are seeing. If you're a new viewer, keep in mind spoilers will be below.
"A New Hope" (1997)
"A New Hope" is worth the rewatch because it lays the foundation and start of everything — it's the starting point of the "Star Wars" franchise.
In this movie, you’re introduced to the character of Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, who is gifted Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber, after which he ultimately learns about the Force, and Darth Vader, played by James Earl Jones, who becomes his mortal enemy.
Princess Leia Organa, played by Carrie Fisher, and Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford, are also part of the trilogy, as they go off to save the Death Star, which is the Empire’s ultimate weapon, a moon-shaped space station that has the ability to destroy the planet.
"Rogue One" (2016)
"Rogue One" is filled with the backstory behind "A New Hope." It follows the daughter of the creator of the Death Star, Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones, as she's freed from the rebel alliance with the mission to find the plans that lead to the destruction of the weapon.
In this movie, you’ll learn who created the Death Star, and why it's so easy to destroy it.
"The Empire Strikes Back" (1980)
The reason for this movie is to show the training that Luke has with Yoda, while Han and Princess Leia travel to visit Han’s old friend, Lando Calrissian, played by Billy Dee Williams. Han and Princess Leia are betrayed and used as bait to lure Luke to Darth Vader.
"Attack of the Clones" (2002)
The movies up until now have shown Darth Vader as the villain, but "Attack of the Clones" shows Anakin Skywalker, played by Hayden Christensen, and the road that leads him to the dark side. We also see the growing relationship between him and Padme Amidala, played by Natalie Portman. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi finds the stormtroopers as the new army for the Republic.
"Revenge of the Sith" (2005)
In this film, we see the effects that Padme’s pregnancy has on Anakin. Visions of her dying begin to poison Anakin, who is also being influenced by Emperor Palpatine, played by Ian McDiarmid. This leads to the destruction of the Republic, the murder of many Jedi, as well as the young Padawans, at the hand of Anakin — now Darth Vader.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi" (2022-Present)
The next series to release on Disney+ is the series "Obi-Wan Kenobi," set to be released in May 2022. This is a prequel to the original trilogy and is set around Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Ewan McGregor. It takes place years after "Revenge of the Sith" and shows Obi-Wan watching over a young Luke. It's been said that Christensen will reprise his role as Darth Vader in the upcoming series.
"Return of the Jedi" (1983)
Now that we’ve learned the backstory of Darth Vader/Anakin, it’s time to see if he'll redeem himself. After saving Han and Princess Leia from Jabba the Hutt, we see Luke trying to defeat his father, as well as Emperor Palpatine.
"The Mandalorian" (2019-Present)
"The Mandalorian" season takes place five years after "Return of the Jedi," where we are introduced to Pedro Pascal as the Mandalorian, who is a gunfighter and bounty hunter. We also learn about the history of Grogu or the Child (otherwise known as Baby Yoda), one of Yoda's species.
"The Force Awakens" (2015)
This film is set 30 years after "Return of the Jedi," and we're introduced to a new character, Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, who can utilize the Force as well as the new conflict between the Republic led by General Leia Organa-Skywalker and the First Order.
"The Last Jedi" (2017)
"The Last Jedi" tells the tale of Rey, and how she attempts to convince a retired Luke to train her. Luke is unwilling due to how his nephew, Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, turned out. The remaining Republic forces are being killed, leaving Luke and Rey as “their only hope.”
"The Rise of Skywalker" (2019)
In this movie, we see the return of Emperor Palpatine, as well as Kylo's First Order army being led by Rey, to prepare for the confrontation on the planet.
This is the order I recommend watching all the "Star Wars" movies in, going chronologically rather than in release order. I hope you enjoyed the rundown — and hopefully, you’ll enjoy the movies as much as I did!
