It’s Star Wars Day, which means it’s the perfect time to introduce someone to the franchise that perhaps hasn’t seen the films yet.
The thing is, “Star Wars” films, despite being numbered 1-9, aren’t exactly straightforward. As fans know, the middle trilogy — Episodes IV, V and VI — released first. Episodes I came out in 1999, 22 years after Episode IV released in 1977 (though that was just known as “Star Wars” at the time).
Because of that, there’s much fan debate as to which order you should show a significant other, friend, family member or Padawan the films. There’s no question that the sequel trilogy, Episodes VII, VIII and IX, should be the final three films or viewing — but what about the first six?
Here are your options:
Chronological Order
Since this series literally numbers each film 1 through 9, this feels like the logical choice for most. 1999’s “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” starring Liam Neeson is the first in the “Skywalker Saga” timeline, and introduces young Anakin Skywalker to the audience.
First-time viewers watching in this order will grow up with Skywalker, see him impress as a Jedi Padawan to Obi Wan Kenobi, and descend to the Dark Side by Episode III. Then, the character the viewers fell in love with will serve as the antagonistic Darth Vader in future films.
The chronological order makes “Star Wars” more cohesive and less confusing, especially to younger fans.
Release Order
The preferred order for older fans, watching “Star Wars” beginning with “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” just feels right.
First-time viewers will be thrown right into the action. Luke Skywalker, a farm boy living under an oppressive government, discovers his lineage and destiny with the help with a classic, lovable crew.
Then, of course, the unforgettable “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” would likely grab any skeptical viewer and wrangle them into a nine-movie showing.
The best argument for release order? The most famous plot twist in movie history remains preserved if watching it this way. Plus, you get a nice tour through film special effects history starting with the practical effects of the original trilogy, green screen mania with the prequels and modern CGI with the sequels.
“Machete” Order
If you want to get real weird with it, consider “machete” order. Traditional machete order is as follows: IV, V, II, III, VI, VII, VIII, IX.
To preserve that aforementioned plot twist, you can start with IV and V, before diving into the backstory of Anakin Skywalker and Kenobi with some of the prequels.
And yes, you read that order correctly. Traditional machete order leaves out Episode I. Why? Because ultimately, Episode I isn’t considered essential viewing by many fans. Not only is it widely considered to be the worst film of the entire saga, but it also doesn’t provide any information that isn’t reiterated in Episodes II or III.
But the Duel of Fates at the end of Episode I is too cool to skip, so you can also slide that into the order if you’d like.
The Verdict?
For this writer, who remembers watching the prequels in theaters as a young child, the recommended order depends on what the new viewer knows going in.
If you’re showing the films to a fan that doesn’t know who Darth Vader is, and isn’t familiar with that very famous line at the end of “The Empire Strikes Back,” then go with the release order. That moment is worth it.
However, if that has already been spoiled for whomever is watching for the first time, then why not let that moment ramp up with the prequel trilogy.
In all, there’s really no wrong answer. Happy Star Wars Day, and May the Fourth be with you.
