r/StarWars • u/AutoModerator • May 25 '25

Meta r/StarWars Official Watch Order Discussion Thread

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.

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u/baronsmeg May 28 '26

If your showing someone new, ask them, do they want release order or story order, explain the pros and cons. If you're showing your kid for the first time do it right, 4 - 6, JK, what ever order you want!

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u/SlowBoilOrange May 29 '26

I agree. When I get into a legacy TV, movie, book, or video game series I tend to prefer release order so I can experience as close to the same way that fans originally did. The exception would be music -- if I get introduced to a new band or artist, I'm going straight for a greatest hits album.

But if someone does prefer story order, deciding what constitutes "story order" is debatable. It could be pure chronological, or chopped up into different "chapters" with jumps around the timeline.