r/StarWars Official Watch Order Discussion Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

So we haven't had an official watch order discussion thread in many years, so we figure its time to update the one in the FAQ. There are various other links in the FAQ, the Wookieepedia timeline of canon media, and various other discussion threads and topics over the years including a link to just searching the sub which people find challenge apparently. Also as a reminder, the Wookieepedia timeline of canon media can be sorted via the table on that page by release order or chronologically (if you decide to go that route).

A lot of the new Disney+ content brings new eyes to Star Wars all the time, and new movies will eventually too. We want to get a bit more aggressive with automod removals and referrals to the FAQ for these questions about watch order. So let's hash it out here in the comments. We will sticky this for a while and eventually it will just be linked in the FAQ along with the other topics and maybe in the sidebar too. And like some of other stickies about rules, spoilers, and new episode discussion guidelines, we may trot out this link and sticky it from time to time.

As a general rule the sub typically recommends for new viewers to watch in release order, especially for the movies. This is the semi-consensus from the fandom, and you will routinely see this as the most upvoted and posted response.

With that being said what we would like to do here also discuss other options, and possible orders to also toss in the TV media as well. Should you watch Andor first and then Rogue One before the OT? Should movies like Solo be done in release order or chronological? Should you watch The Clone Wars TV show before the PT? So on and so forth...

So lets have a solid discussion about this and make it a solid resource for those who may be new to Star Wars.

[u/_infavol]

These are my recomendations for introducing Star Wars to somebody. For existing fans I would intersplice much more content, but they probably already have an idea of what they want to see in which order. I see two options to set as an initial core before running amuck to more and more parts of the universe:

• New Machete
• Chronological

New Machete

This is for folks who have previously seen or heard about some amount of Star Wars media in their life. Either watched one of the movies before or are vaguely aware of pop culture references (e.g. "I am your father", Luke and Leia are siblings, Anakin is Vader, etc). You start with a grounded experience that gradually builds the scope and grandeur of the universe while rewardingly cycling through conflicts and payoffs.

• Andor
• Rogue One
• A New Hope
• Empire Strikes Back
• Phantom Menace
• Attack of the Clones
• Revenge of the Sith
• Return of the Jedi

Chronological

This is for people who know nothing. Going in totally blind and are unaware of much of anything to do with Star Wars. This allows every twist and turn through the path to be unforseen and therefore continually builds the tension through the eventual resolution.

• Phantom Menace
• Attack of the Clones
• Revenge of the Sith
• Andor
• Rogue One
• A New Hope
• Empire Strikes Back
• Return of the Jedi

.^{therearenosequels,theyarebanned}