There are several popular ways to watch the Star Wars movies and series, each with its own advantages:

1. Release Order (Recommended for Newcomers)

This is the order in which the movies were originally released in theaters, allowing you to experience the story as audiences first did, preserving surprises like Darth Vader’s identity. It starts with the original trilogy, then the prequels, followed by the sequels and spin-offs. Release Order:

• Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
• Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
• Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
• Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
• Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
• Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
• Rogue One (2016)
• Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
• Solo (2018)
• Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
• Plus Disney+ series like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, etc. can be watched after or interspersed as desired

2. Chronological Order (In-Universe Timeline)

This order follows the chronological timeline of events within the Star Wars universe, starting with the prequels and moving forward through the original and sequel trilogies, including spin-offs and series. Chronological Order:

• The Acolyte (series)
• Episode I: The Phantom Menace
• Episode II: Attack of the Clones
• Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
• Solo: A Star Wars Story
• Obi-Wan Kenobi (series)
• Andor (series)
• Rogue One
• Episode IV: A New Hope
• Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
• Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
• The Mandalorian (series)
• The Book of Boba Fett (series)
• Ahsoka (series)
• Skeleton Crew (series)
• Episode VII: The Force Awakens
• Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
• Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

3. Machete Order (For a Dramatic Experience)

This fan-created order skips Episode I and preserves the Darth Vader reveal until The Empire Strikes Back, enhancing the story’s emotional impact. Machete Order:

• Episode IV: A New Hope
• Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
• Episode II: Attack of the Clones
• Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
• Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

This order omits Episode I entirely and is designed to keep the story engaging for new viewers

Summary

• Release order is best for first-time viewers to experience the saga as originally presented.
• Chronological order is good for those who want to follow the story timeline in-universe.
• Machete order offers a unique narrative flow focusing on the core story and preserving key twists.

You can also include or skip standalone films and series depending on your interest and how comprehensive you want the viewing experience to be