Star Wars Movies: Release Order
For newcomers the Star Wars saga is best experienced in the order audiences first encountered it, beginning with the groundbreaking 1977 film that launched the franchise. This watch order preserves the original narrative structure and the intended reveals, starting with Luke Skywalker's journey in the original trilogy before exploring backstory in the Episode films that followed.
The franchise consists of multiple eras and storylines, including standalone films that expand the universe, and the sequel trilogy focusing on a new generation of heroes. While this creates some tonal shifts between different filmmaking eras, it maintains the storytelling approach George Lucas originally conceived.
There are 3 other watch orders available - see the links up above.

Star Wars
A young farm boy joins a rebellion against the evil Galactic Empire after discovering a message from a captured princess. With the help of smugglers and droids, he embarks on a daring rescue mission that will determine the fate of the galaxy.
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The Empire Strikes Back
Luke Skywalker trains with Jedi Master Yoda while the Rebel Alliance faces new challenges from the relentless Galactic Empire. As Darth Vader closes in, the rebels must navigate dangerous encounters that test their resolve and loyalty.
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Return of the Jedi
Luke Skywalker embarks on a rescue mission to save Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt while the Rebel Alliance faces the Empire's second Death Star in the epic conclusion to the original Star Wars trilogy.
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Young Anakin Skywalker is discovered on the desert planet Tatooine by Jedi who recognize his extraordinary Force abilities. As the Sith emerge from hiding after centuries, a larger conflict begins to unfold that will shape the fate of the galaxy.
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Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot that could change the galaxy forever.
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Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
In the final chapter of the prequel trilogy, Anakin Skywalker faces a pivotal choice between the light and dark sides of the Force as the Clone Wars reach their climactic end and the Republic transforms into the Empire.
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Thirty years after the fall of the Empire, a new threat emerges as the dark side rises again, forcing old heroes and new allies to join the fight for the galaxy's freedom.
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
A group of unlikely rebels embarks on a desperate mission to steal the plans for the Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star, in this standalone Star Wars story set just before the original film.
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Rey seeks training from Luke Skywalker to develop her Force abilities while the Resistance faces off against the powerful First Order in this epic continuation of the Star Wars saga.
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Solo: A Star Wars Story
A young Han Solo embarks on daring adventures in the criminal underworld, where he first meets his future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the smooth-talking gambler Lando Calrissian.
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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order in a final confrontation as Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron continue their journey to restore peace to the galaxy.
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Other Film Series
DC Extended Universe
DC's shared cinematic universe spanning a decade of interconnected superhero stories from Man of Steel to Aquaman.
G.I. Joe
A live-action franchise based on the toy line, featuring military action films with continuity complications between the main series and later reboot attempts.
Highlander
An immortal Scottish warrior battles through the centuries in this cult fantasy franchise about sword-wielding Immortals who can only die by beheading.
Maze Runner
A dystopian sci-fi trilogy following Thomas and the Gladers as they escape the maze and uncover the truth about their post-apocalyptic world.
Star Trek
A legendary science fiction franchise spanning multiple generations, following the adventures of Starfleet crews exploring the galaxy and upholding the ideals of the United Federation of Planets.
X-Men
A sprawling superhero franchise following mutants with extraordinary abilities, spanning multiple timelines and generations from the 1960s to the future.