Are you tired of hearing May the 4th be with you yet?

Star Wars is a cultural icon.

It’s everywhere. Solo is coming out in a few weeks, the releases of The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and The Last Jedi over the holidays for the past few years have been enormous, and an entire Star Wars land is opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next summer. Plus there are books, animated series, clothing, and toys.

If you don’t know anything about Star Wars but would like to, where do you start? Most people would assume they should just watch all of the films in chronological order; however, I’ve outlined a few different options below that’ll give you a better understanding of the universe, characters, and lore.

And yeah, you have to watch Clone Wars and Rebels. If you don’t, you’ll be missing out on so much important insight, especially when it comes to episodes 7, 8, and 9. Promise. Oh, and you’ll also never meet some of the franchise’s absolute best characters.

This list doesn’t include graphic novels, novels, or games.

Okay, now. Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away…

Option 1: Order of Release (more or less).

You’re watching the movies and shows in the same order the world saw them. Some people don’t like this order because a major reveal happens in The Empire Strikes Back, so you’ll already know about this big thing within the first three movies.

The Originals:

Star Wars: A New Hope (4)

The Empire Strikes Back (5)

Return of the Jedi (6)

The Prequels:

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

Episode 2: Attack of the Clones

Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith

The Animateds:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated film)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated series)

Star Wars Rebels (animated series)

The Sequels:

The Force Awakens (7)

Rogue One (3.5) (Rogue One takes place prior to A New Hope; however, it was released between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. It is not a sequel.)

The Last Jedi (8)

Episode 9 – TBD, holiday 2019

Option 2: Chronological Order

This is the order the films/series take place in relation to one another. There are many dedicated Star Wars, uh, gatekeepers who’ll insist this is the wrong way to do it. You decide for yourself, though. There’s so much to dig through in the prequel era, and the Clones material and timeline can be really confusing. Totally new to Star Wars? This isn’t a bad way to start.

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

Episode 2: Attack of the Clones

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated film)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated series)

Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars Rebels (animated series)

Rogue One

Star Wars: A New Hope (4)

The Empire Strikes Back (5)

Return of the Jedi (6)

The Force Awakens (7)

The Last Jedi (8)

Episode 9 – TBD, holiday 2019

Option 3: Modified Machete Order

Machete Order was coined by Rod Hilton. You can read his exceptionally thorough 2011 blog post here. Machete Order is as follows: Star Wars: A New Hope (4), The Empire Strikes Back (5), Attack of the Clones (2), Revenge of the Sith (3), and Return of the Jedi (6). Yes, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, is excluded.

But there’s more material in 2018 than there was in 2011, soo… If I were going to add the newer films and shows without changing Rod’s plan, my pick would be:

Rogue One

Star Wars: A New Hope (4)

The Empire Strikes Back (5)

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (yes, I’m adding this one back, not because it’s a great film, but so you can discuss it with people)

Episode 2: Attack of the Clones

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated film)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated series)

Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars Rebels (animated series)

Return of the Jedi (6)

The Force Awakens (7)

The Last Jedi (8)

Episode 9 – TBD, holiday 2019

Whoa. So… I might be more overwhelmed. What order should I pick?

Confusing, right? I get it. If you’re new to Star Wars and haven’t seen most of the films or animated series, pick either Option 1 or 2. You know yourself best and you can decide whether you might be confused or frustrated by timeline jumps.

Once you’ve done that, then go back and watch Rod’s original Machete Order. Next, watch the Modified Machete Order. See how many new things you notice and what perspectives change.

Happy viewing and please comment below with any questions! I can’t wait to welcome you to the big, nerdy Star Wars family.

Oh yeah, and may the force be with you. 😉