If you're new to Star Wars and wondering which movie to watch first, there are two main recommended viewing orders: release order and chronological order. 1. Release Order (Recommended for First-Time Viewers)

• Start with the original trilogy, which is how the saga was originally experienced by audiences:
  • Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
  • The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
  • Return of the Jedi (1983)
• Then watch the prequel trilogy:
  • The Phantom Menace (1999)
  • Attack of the Clones (2002)
  • Revenge of the Sith (2005)
• Follow with the sequel trilogy:
  • The Force Awakens (2015)
  • The Last Jedi (2017)
  • The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
• You can add spin-offs like Rogue One and Solo after or during the main saga viewing.

This order preserves the original narrative surprises (like Darth Vader's identity) and reflects how the story was developed and released over time

. 2. Chronological Order (Story Timeline Order)

• Begin with the prequel trilogy:
  • The Phantom Menace (Episode I)
  • Attack of the Clones (Episode II)
  • Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
• Then watch spin-offs and series set between the prequels and original trilogy:
  • Solo , Obi-Wan Kenobi , The Clone Wars (movie and series), Star Wars Rebels , Andor , Rogue One
• Continue with the original trilogy:
  • A New Hope (Episode IV)
  • The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V)
  • Return of the Jedi (Episode VI)
• Then the sequel trilogy:
  • The Force Awakens (Episode VII)
  • The Last Jedi (Episode VIII)
  • The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX)
• You can also include newer series like The Mandalorian , The Book of Boba Fett , and Ahsoka after the original trilogy.

This order lets you experience the story as it unfolds in-universe but can spoil some surprises and feel uneven due to differences in production style and effects

. Alternative: Machete Order

• A fan-created order that skips The Phantom Menace and preserves key story twists:
  • A New Hope (IV)
  • The Empire Strikes Back (V)
  • Attack of the Clones (II)
  • Revenge of the Sith (III)
  • Return of the Jedi (VI)

This order focuses on the core Skywalker story with an emphasis on dramatic impact

. Summary Recommendation:

• If you want to watch Star Wars for the first time, start with the original trilogy (A New Hope , Empire Strikes Back , Return of the Jedi) in release order.
• Then explore the prequels, sequels, and spin-offs.
• If you want to experience the story in chronological order, start with The Phantom Menace and proceed through the saga timeline.
• For a unique experience, consider the Machete Order.

This approach balances narrative impact, historical context, and story coherence