Star Wars Movies: Release Order

1977 - 201911 Films24h 53m4.2 Average

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.

1
Star Wars poster

Star Wars

19772h 1m5
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
2
The Empire Strikes Back poster

The Empire Strikes Back

19802h 4m5
Director: Irvin Kershner
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
3
Return of the Jedi poster

Return of the Jedi

19832h 12m4.8
Director: Richard Marquand
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
4
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace poster

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

19992h 16m3.7
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
5
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones poster

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

20022h 22m3.7
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Christopher Lee, Samuel L. Jackson

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
6
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith poster

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

20052h 20m4.4
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
7
Star Wars: The Force Awakens poster

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

20152h 16m4.2
Director: J.J. Abrams
Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
8
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story poster

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

20162h 13m4.4
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen

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.

ActionAdventureScience Fiction
9
Star Wars: The Last Jedi poster

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

20172h 32m3.9
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
10
Solo: A Star Wars Story poster

Solo: A Star Wars Story

20182h 15m3.7
Director: Ron Howard
Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover

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.

Science FictionAdventureAction
11
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker poster

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

20192h 22m3.5
Director: J.J. Abrams
Cast: Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega

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.

AdventureActionScience Fiction