Star Wars Guide: How to Watch Movies, TV Shows and Side Stories in Order


It’s been almost 50 years since George Lucas first introduced us to the Star Wars universe. Since then, we’ve had theatrical films and a whopping collection of television shows inspired by a galaxy far, far away. All those overlapping storylines make it one of the densest entertainment franchises to follow. 

Figuring out the best way to watch everything in order can therefore be somewhat overwhelming for even the most dedicated fan, let alone newcomers still learning the difference between a Jedi Master and a moisture farmer.

With the announcement of the Ryan Gosling-starring Starfighter and the upcoming release of The Mandalorian & Grogu, there’s renewed excitement surrounding all things Star Wars, so if you’re looking to dip back in or wondering what the big deal is about lightsabers and Wookiees, here’s our indispensable guide to help you navigate the best way to experience it all.

While some purists may grumble about Disney’s stewardship of the iconic sci-fi saga, the House of Mouse has made binge-watching Star Wars easier than ever. Apart from a few minor exceptions (more on those later), every movie and TV spinoff is available to watch in one place — on demand via Disney Plus. 

So what’s the best watch order? Chronological? Release? Or something else entirely? Let’s go through the options.

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Star Wars in chronological order (by timeline events)

If you want to experience the story as it unfolds in-universe, then you’ll want to follow the saga in an order that charts Anakin’s rise through to Rey’s journey. The benefit of this option is that you’ll get to witness the evolution of characters and the galaxy’s political landscape in a linear progress. It’s also George Lucas’s intended storytelling sequence. 

The downside of watching this way, rather than in release order, is that it spoils several plot twists, including one particularly iconic revelation. 

The inconsistent quality of some later entries into the series — let’s be honest, we’re talking about the prequel movies here — means it might not provide the most engaging introduction for newcomers to the franchise. 

  • The Acolyte (2024 TV show)
  • Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999 movie)
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002 movie)
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 movie)
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 animated TV show)
  • Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (2022 animated TV show)
  • Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005 movie)
  • Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (2024 animated TV show)  
  • The Bad Batch (2021 animated TV show)
  • Maul: Shadow Lord (2026 animated TV show)
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018 movie)
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022 TV show)
  • Andor (2022 TV show)
  • Star Wars Rebels (2014 TV show)
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016 movie)
  • Episode IV: A New Hope (1977 movie)
  • Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980 movie)
  • Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983 movie)
  • The Mandalorian (2019 TV show)
  • The Book of Boba Fett (2021 TV show)
  • Ahsoka (2023 TV show)
  • Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024 TV show)
  • Star Wars Resistance (2018 animated TV show)
  • Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015 movie)
  • Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017 movie)
  • Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019 movie)

the armored mandalorian floats while holding baby yoda and shooting downward

Disney

Star Wars in release order 

This choice is, arguably, the most authentic and impactful experience and how fans first saw them. This approach preserves the narrative surprises and character developments as they were first presented to audiences.

Another good reason to go down this route is that it lets you appreciate the technological and cinematic advancements that occurred throughout the franchise’s history. From the original trilogy’s still-convincing practical effects to Industrial Light and Magic’s ground-breaking showcases for CGI in the prequels. This progression not only reflects the real-world development of filmmaking but also enhances the viewing experience by gradually introducing more complex narratives and characters.

In short, it’s the best bet for newcomers seeking to understand the series’ development and for fans wishing to relive the magic.

  • 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)
  • The Clone Wars (2008 — movie and TV series)
  • Star Wars Rebels (2014)
  • Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
  • Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
  • Star Wars Resistance (2018)  
  • Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
  • The Mandalorian (2019)
  • The Bad Batch (2021)
  • The Book of Boba Fett (2021)
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
  • Andor (2022)
  • Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (2022)
  • Ahsoka (2023)
  • Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (2024)
  • The Acolyte (2024)
  • Skeleton Crew (2024)
  • Maul: Shadow Lord (2026)

On the set of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Sunset Boulevard

Machete order (the controversial option)

Another non-chronological viewing order — and one which divides opinion among JedHeads — is the machete order. First suggested by movie fan Rod Hilton back in 2011 on his blog Absolutely No Machete Juggling, this sequence preserves the original twists and surprises of the original trilogy by watching it before the prequel trilogy, but controversially skips The Phantom Menace entirely.

This option treats Episodes II and III as a flashback between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Hilton argues that this order emphasizes the continuity of the main Skywalker saga story while skipping the prequel that some consider the weakest. 

  • 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
  • Sequel trilogy and spinoffs as desired

rosariopromo

Lucasfilm

Going hardcore – the non-canon curios

The vastness of the Star Wars universe means we’ve omitted a host of nonessential spinoff shows and specials — primarily animated Lego tie-ins and mashups with The Simpsons — along with a sizable collection of official making-of and behind-the-scenes documentaries that are available on Disney Plus. 

In addition to these, there are a number of shows and movies that are now considered non-canonical to the official storyline since the Disney acquisition of the franchise, which you may, or indeed, may not, want to add to and augment the lists above.

Following Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, several shows and movies were reclassified as non-canonical, now falling under the “Legends” banner. These include the mid-1980s animated series Star Wars: Droids (1985–1986) and Ewoks (1985–1986), as well as two Ewok-centric TV movies that aimed to capitalize on the cutesy appeal of the Endor forest dwellers: Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984) and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985). All of these are available on Disney Plus.

One significant omission from the Disney Plus catalog, however, is the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. Originally beamed into unsuspecting homes via the CBS television network ahead of Thanksgiving in 1978, this low-budget fever dream features Chewbacca’s family grunting at length, musical numbers and celebrity cameos, all wrapped in a bizarre Wookiee celebration of “Life Day.” 

Despite George Lucas’ best attempts to bury it — it’s never been officially re-aired or released — the special developed a cult following in the early days of the internet thanks to heavily pixelated bootlegs being shared. 

It’s since been lovingly upscaled in 5K resolution by a group of fans and can be streamed on YouTube in all its awkward glory.

Finally, for purists seeking the original theatrical experience, there are two fan projects that offer meticulously crafted versions of the original trilogy.

Harmy’s Despecialized Editions are pristine, high-definition recreations of the now-unavailable original theatrical versions of the Star Wars trilogy. They undo Lucas’s added scenes and special effects alterations in later “Special Editions.”

For a rawer experience, Team Negative1’s 4K77, 4K80, and 4K83 are fan-made 4K scans of original 35mm theatrical prints of the original trilogy. The downside is that neither of these projects is officially sanctioned by Lucasfilm and Disney, meaning distribution is managed within fan communities to respect copyright considerations.

However you end up choosing to journey your way through the galaxy from the options above, may the Force be with you!





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For TV owners, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) technology is the gateway to accessing endless content and maximizing your viewing experience. Whether it’s watching films from physical media, streaming content via your preferred subscription platform, or playing games, there are plenty of gadgets you can connect for the perfect entertainment setup in your home.

Apart from investing in the right HDMI cable, choosing the right port makes all the difference. Depending on how old your TV is, you can expect anything from the legacy HDMI 1.0 to even the most recent HDMI 2.2. However, while there’s a big jump in terms of quality between HDMI 2.1 and 2.0, there are plenty of gadgets that can still work perfectly with your HDMI 2.0 port. This is great news if you aren’t so particular about getting the best picture possible. In fact, unless you’re a hardcore gamer or have a TV made for high resolution, it’s likely you’ll be able to get the most out of what you already have without HDMI 2.1 or 2.2 ports.

To help you get the most out of your existing HDMI 2.0 port, we’ve listed broad categories of gadgets that work with it. Next, we share specific models that either maximize the port’s capabilities or still offer a great viewing experience despite the bandwidth limits. To learn how we selected the models that work well with HDMI 2.0 ports, you can skip to our methodology at the end.

1. Streaming sticks

If you own an older TV model but don’t want to trash it yet, streaming sticks are among the most affordable ways to access modern entertainment options on a budget. In fact, the HDMI 2.0 port will already let you maximize the performance of even newer streaming sticks, like the Fire TV Stick HD, which supports 1080p Full HD. So, if your TV can’t do 4K anyway, you don’t really need to get a more expensive model. An Amazon’s Choice product, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD has an average rating of 4.7 stars from more than 62,000 reviewers.

While many newer smart TVs have built-in streaming capabilities, there are still many benefits to using a streaming device, such as regular security updates. These days, many streaming sticks are marketed as 4K-capable, like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. While we’ve recommended plugging it into an HDMI 2.1 port for the best experience, an HDMI 2.0 port is also perfectly fine for most modern 4K movies and shows. If you have the extra budget, it can be an investment for future upgrades. As of March 2026, over 75,000 Amazon users have rated the Fire TV Stick 4K Max an average of 4.6 stars. However, you can also consider options like the Roku Express 4K, Apple TV 4K, and Google TV Streamer 4K.

2. Sync boxes

There’s something incredibly dramatic about having the lights match the scenes on your TV, and you can do that with a sync box. Whether you’re watching a movie, playing games, or listening to music, sync boxes help elevate your entertainment experience. While many of the latest sync boxes are designed for HDMI 2.1 ports, these are generally backwards compatible with HDMI 2.0 ports, so you can still enjoy them with their reduced capacity, such as the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K, which generated an average rating of 4.2 stars from more than 230 Amazon customers.

Priced at $384.99, you can connect up to 4 input devices. Unless you buy a kit, there’s also the price of the lights, which will vary depending on your screen size. The Philips Hue Play Gradient Smart TV Light Strip is available in three sizes: 55-inch ($274.99), 65-inch ($296.99), and 75-inch ($329.99). In general, many people seem quite satisfied with it, as over 2,000 Amazon users rated it 4.3 stars. 

Lastly, you will need to factor in the cost of the Philips Hue Bridge, which lets you enjoy its integration with smart home ecosystems, like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. With over 11,200 Amazon reviews, it has generated a pretty positive 4.5-star rating. Given that it tops our list of smart lighting brands, it can be a great investment if you’re already using other Philips smart lights in your home.

3. DVD and Blu-ray players

Although many people have turned to streaming to optimize their content viewing, there are still people who like owning physical media. Whether you’re a film buff, a parent of young children, an elderly person, or just someone who doesn’t want to deal with subscriptions, owning a DVD or Blu-ray player can keep all your favorite TV shows and films within reach, without the need for internet connectivity. For many old DVDs and some Blu-ray discs, they don’t max out HD resolution anyway, so you’re likely to get the most out of their content with even the older HDMI 2.0 port. In fact, even premium 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players run flawlessly on HDMI 2.0.

On Amazon, the #1 Best Seller in its DVD category is the ELECTCOM PRO DVD Player, with over 40,300 customers rating it 4.2 stars on average. With prices starting at $41.99, it comes in different set variations that include HDMI and RCA cables, and even remote controls with large buttons designed for the comfort of seniors. But take note, this model doesn’t support Blu-ray discs. Alternatively, there’s the Panasonic Blu-ray player that retails for $89.95.An Amazon’s Choice product, more than 2,100 users gave it an average rating of 4.4 stars. Apart from playing Blu-ray discs, it can also work with CDs, DVDs, and even compatible files on your thumb drive, such as photos and videos. You may even find similar media players in secondhand or vintage stores if you’re on a tighter budget.

4. Gaming consoles

For gamers who get a little overstimulated with the latest releases, the HDMI 2.0 port already lets you experience games that run on 4K at 60 fps. So, if you’re one of those people who still enjoy older-generation consoles, like the PlayStation 4 Pro or Xbox One S, you’ll be happy to know it’s built to work perfectly with the HDMI 2.0 port. These days, you can still get secondhand models of the PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB ($199.99) or the PlayStation Pro 1TB ($240.95) from the official PlayStation store on Amazon. Despite being released years ago, both models still enjoy an average rating of at least 4.6 stars from more than 12,000 Amazon customers.

Among the devices that should always be plugged into an HDMI 2.1 port, many newer gaming consoles can benefit most from high resolution and 120Hz frame rates. But, since HDMI 2.0 supports 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, a powerful console like the Sony PlayStation 5 will still run massive, modern AAA games flawlessly in stunning ultra-high definition. Despite its price tag, it boasts a ton of satisfied customers with 2,400+ Amazon users rating the PlayStation 5 Pro around 4.6 stars.

5. HDMI switch

If you find yourself attaching several devices to your TV via the HDMI port, you may need to use an HDMI switch to free up space, like the UGREEN HDMI Switch. An Amazon’s Choice Product, it boasts a positive 4.3-star rating from 5,200 customers. Available in two colors, the switch comes in black or grey with discounts for Amazon Prime customers. With 5 input ports, you can connect all kinds of devices, such as the ones above: PCs and laptops, streaming sticks, and TV boxes. To switch devices, you can either press the buttons on the unit or use the remote, which is powered by two AAA batteries. The unit itself has an LED indicator that shows which device is active. On the other hand, its single output port is compatible with displays such as TV screens, monitors, and projectors.

But, if you’re on a budget and only really need one extra slot, the Anker HDMI Switch might be better for you. An Amazon Overall Pick product, the Anker HDMI Switch has an average rating of 4.5 stars from more than 4,000 customers. Priced at $15.99, this HDMI switch measures just 2.17 inches by 2.17 inches by 0.57 inches, so you can easily take it with you when you’re traveling, too. It comes with a pair of input ports and a single output port for displays. Unlike the UGREEN model, this doesn’t need an external power supply.

Methodology

To help you understand what your HDMI 2.0 port can do, we’ve highlighted gadgets that either maximize its capabilities or provide a great experience despite the port’s bandwidth limits. We selected devices that have averaged at least four stars from more than 200 reviewers, indicating a general trend of user satisfaction. While it didn’t affect their inclusion on the list, we also noted whether they are top-selling products in their respective categories and mentioned additional features you may enjoy beyond their primary functions.





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