There is no right or wrong order to first watch the Star Wars films. There is no right or wrong order to re-watch the Star Wars films.
With that in mind...I have a few thoughts on my own preferences. But first...there a few possibilities to consider.
George Lucas thinks of his saga in the chronological order in the story. 1-2-3-4-5-6. Many of the fans who were kids in the late 90s/early 2000s think of the saga as 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-R1-8-Solo-9.
Many of the fans who were kids in the 70s and 80s think the proper order to first watch the Star Wars films is in release order. Some fans stop at Return of the Jedi, but for the rest, their order is 4-5-6-1-2-3-7-R1-8-Solo-9.
For quite a while, my preferred order of the Lucasian Star Wars movies was Episode 4, then 5, then 1, then 2, then 3 and finally 6. This would make the "Prequel Trilogy" a flashback in the middle of the "Original Trilogy", and preserves ROTJ as the climax of the six. I call this the "Flashback Order". It is sort of a variation on the "Machete Order", which does the same thing, but skips Episode 1. (Reading about the Machete Order is what got me thinking about what happens to the narrative if you change the viewing order.)
But recently I thought of a new NOVEL way of being introduced to Star Wars. By "novel", I mean that this viewing order would have the audience to jump back and forth in time throughout the saga, just as would be perfectly normal in a written novel. So, what I call the “Novel Order” would be as follows:
- Episode 4 (ANH), then
- Episode 1 (TPM), then
- Episode 2 (AOTC), then
- Rogue One, then
- Episode 5 (ESB), then
- Episode 3 (ROTS), then
- Episode 6 (ROTJ), then
- Episode 7 (TFA), then
- Solo, then
- Episode 8 (TLJ), and finally
- Episode 9 (TROS)
But WHY is this an optimal order for telling this story? You have to think about what you learn in each movie and how the narrative would play out. Written novels jump around this way all the time as a narrative technique. You begin in the middle of the action to get you interested in the setting of the story and the characters affected. Then, once you're invested in the story, more mundane details can be leisurely explored to give backstory and context more depth and texture. All that leads to a final confrontation with many climactic turning points hit along the way.
Each chapter of the story moves the story further along, while creating a richer and deeper saga to experience. Lucas' use of "rhyming poetry" between the Originals and the Sequels makes this method even more appealing. I think it would be amazing to experience SW in this order.
Here's a breakdown of the rationale for why it works, by thinking of what you learn in each Episode:
Episode 4 (A New Hope):
We jump right into the action. We immediately get the sense of the state of this Galaxy far, far away with the opening shots of the cool looking spaceships...one that is small and plucky being chased (picked on) by one that is massive and imposing. We meet Vader. Boo!!! We meet Leia...quite the fiery leader! We meet Luke...will this headstrong idealist get caught up in some damn-fool crusade? We meet Obi-wan...hero of The Clone Wars and comrade of Leia's father, Bail Organa. We meet Han...can he escape his past and do the right thing? We learn that Luke's father was a hero killed by Vader. We learn there is a galactic empire that emerged after the Jedi were destroyed.
Episode 8 (The Last Jedi):
Oh, Luke...you can't give up hope. We need you. The galaxy needs you. But a new generation needs to step up to save themselves and their loved ones, too. Interesting lessons. You don't win by killing what you hate, but by saving what you love...that's a very Star Warsy lesson, too. And Rey has no past, but a bright future...what a great ending.
Episode 4 (A New Hope):
We jump right into the action. We immediately get the sense of the state of this Galaxy far, far away with the opening shots of the cool looking spaceships...one that is small and plucky being chased (picked on) by one that is massive and imposing. We meet Vader. Boo!!! We meet Leia...quite the fiery leader! We meet Luke...will this headstrong idealist get caught up in some damn-fool crusade? We meet Obi-wan...hero of The Clone Wars and comrade of Leia's father, Bail Organa. We meet Han...can he escape his past and do the right thing? We learn that Luke's father was a hero killed by Vader. We learn there is a galactic empire that emerged after the Jedi were destroyed.
Episode 1 (The Phantom Menace):
We already know that the Jedi were wiped out by the Dark Side, so, the first thing we see are Jedi in action. And not just Jedi, but a young Obi-wan and his master. Obi-wan...the only Jedi to survive the Dark Times, as far as we know. This Padme sure is a brave leader, despite being so young. And we meet Anakin Skywalker. Luke's father! Cool! We see him use The Force to help his friends and to escape from slavery. What a great kid. I can totally see why he'll grow up to be a great hero, just like Obi-wan said. Anakin being separated from his mother sure was a touching moment. I sure hope he learns to cope with that loss. We get to see Jedi being Jedi...just keeping the peace throughout the Old Republic. That reminds me...I wonder what Old Ben could have been talking about when he talked about Darth Vader wiping out all the Jedi. I wonder if Darth Vader is connected to this Darth Maul and Darth Sidious. That'll be a tragedy! And that Yoda guy is pretty cool. I wonder who that guy in the dark robe pulling all the strings is. Wonder why that red faced guy is so upset. He was pretty awesome. Maybe Vader will take the place as Darth Sidious' apprentice in the next movie.
We already know that the Jedi were wiped out by the Dark Side, so, the first thing we see are Jedi in action. And not just Jedi, but a young Obi-wan and his master. Obi-wan...the only Jedi to survive the Dark Times, as far as we know. This Padme sure is a brave leader, despite being so young. And we meet Anakin Skywalker. Luke's father! Cool! We see him use The Force to help his friends and to escape from slavery. What a great kid. I can totally see why he'll grow up to be a great hero, just like Obi-wan said. Anakin being separated from his mother sure was a touching moment. I sure hope he learns to cope with that loss. We get to see Jedi being Jedi...just keeping the peace throughout the Old Republic. That reminds me...I wonder what Old Ben could have been talking about when he talked about Darth Vader wiping out all the Jedi. I wonder if Darth Vader is connected to this Darth Maul and Darth Sidious. That'll be a tragedy! And that Yoda guy is pretty cool. I wonder who that guy in the dark robe pulling all the strings is. Wonder why that red faced guy is so upset. He was pretty awesome. Maybe Vader will take the place as Darth Sidious' apprentice in the next movie.
Episode 2 (Attack of the Clones):
The Old Republic shows a bit a tarnish. Whoa...Anakin seems to have gone through a lot. Wow...killing those sandpeople seems pretty dark. Anakin must feel pretty awful knowing that if he had used his power in the first place his mother would be alive. Hmmm. That Yoda guy teaching the younglings was pretty neat. I wonder if he taught Obi-wan when he was that age? We meet Jango Fett and his son Boba. Cool armor. We meet Bail Organa. Isn't he the guy whose planet got demolished in Episode 4? Hmm. The Clone Wars erupt. Wow...Vader must be coming soon. The Seperatists have the Death Star plans. And we know Vader is connected to the Death Star. So, Vader will probably be a Seperatist General. Maybe even the guy who takes over after Dooku. This Clone War must be when all of the other Jedi get killed leaving Obi-Wan as the only surviving Jedi.
The Old Republic shows a bit a tarnish. Whoa...Anakin seems to have gone through a lot. Wow...killing those sandpeople seems pretty dark. Anakin must feel pretty awful knowing that if he had used his power in the first place his mother would be alive. Hmmm. That Yoda guy teaching the younglings was pretty neat. I wonder if he taught Obi-wan when he was that age? We meet Jango Fett and his son Boba. Cool armor. We meet Bail Organa. Isn't he the guy whose planet got demolished in Episode 4? Hmm. The Clone Wars erupt. Wow...Vader must be coming soon. The Seperatists have the Death Star plans. And we know Vader is connected to the Death Star. So, Vader will probably be a Seperatist General. Maybe even the guy who takes over after Dooku. This Clone War must be when all of the other Jedi get killed leaving Obi-Wan as the only surviving Jedi.
Rogue One
Those last two movies were cool flashbacks. Ah...back to Luke and Leia's timeperiod. Well...I guess just before. We get to see a bit more of the Galaxy. We get to see how the Dark Times are affecting regular people. Very cool. And what ending! Vader was amazing. And that final shot brings us right back to thinking about A New Hope and how it ended. That leads right into...
Episode 5 (The Empire Strikes Back):
We're ready for the next chapter with Luke and friends. Hokie smokes! Yoda survived the Jedi purge!!! Wow...what happened to him? Sure is neat to see him training Luke. Yoda seems so dark and jaded. I wonder how bad it got for him to end up marooned on swampy planet. Oh...we see Boba Fett grown up now working with Vader. Hmm...that Emperor in the hologram looks a lot like Darth Sidious...could it be that they are one and the same? Aww...Han and Leia seem to fallen in love. Luke will be so sad that he'll have to ignore his romantic feelings for her...but clearly there is still quite the strong connection...she can "feel him" when he calls out for help. Vader reveals he's Luke's father! That's not true. That's impossible. Noooo. No. No.(Spoiler Alert)
We're ready for the next chapter with Luke and friends. Hokie smokes! Yoda survived the Jedi purge!!! Wow...what happened to him? Sure is neat to see him training Luke. Yoda seems so dark and jaded. I wonder how bad it got for him to end up marooned on swampy planet. Oh...we see Boba Fett grown up now working with Vader. Hmm...that Emperor in the hologram looks a lot like Darth Sidious...could it be that they are one and the same? Aww...Han and Leia seem to fallen in love. Luke will be so sad that he'll have to ignore his romantic feelings for her...but clearly there is still quite the strong connection...she can "feel him" when he calls out for help. Vader reveals he's Luke's father! That's not true. That's impossible. Noooo. No. No.(Spoiler Alert)
Episode 3 (Revenge of the Sith):
Vader MUST be introduced in this one.. it's got Sith right in the title. But why would Vader lie and say that he IS Luke's father. We can see from the first shot how close he is with Obi-wan. Uh, oh... Anakin sure is being asked to make lots of compromises. That's could lead to the Dark Side. Oh, no!! Anakin IS Darth Vader! Ben lied! And we get to see the Jedi wiped out. Oh...that's what happened to Yoda! And we FINALLY learn that LEIA is Luke's sister...and has been the whole time! Oh, THAT is why Bail Organa is connected to Obi-wan and how he knows where he is.
Vader MUST be introduced in this one.. it's got Sith right in the title. But why would Vader lie and say that he IS Luke's father. We can see from the first shot how close he is with Obi-wan. Uh, oh... Anakin sure is being asked to make lots of compromises. That's could lead to the Dark Side. Oh, no!! Anakin IS Darth Vader! Ben lied! And we get to see the Jedi wiped out. Oh...that's what happened to Yoda! And we FINALLY learn that LEIA is Luke's sister...and has been the whole time! Oh, THAT is why Bail Organa is connected to Obi-wan and how he knows where he is.
Episode 6 (Return of the Jedi):
Now we know the whole backstory of it all! Time to wrap it all up in a neat bow for an AWESOME CLIMAX!! Yub nub!! Celebrate the Light!!
Episode 7 (The Force Awakens):
And now we're ready for the final chapters. There has been an awakening. Have you felt it? The dark side and the light. The Force...it's calling to you. Just let it in. So good to see old friends long gone. The past...the future. Through the ages, I've seen evil take many forms. The Sith. The Empire. Today, it is the First Order. Their shadow is spreading across the galaxy. We must face them. Fight them. All of us. Oh, no...Solo! You sacrificed yourself to let your son know how much you love your son. No!!!! And Luke...we finally found you. We know you'll be able to help us get out of this mess.
Now we know the whole backstory of it all! Time to wrap it all up in a neat bow for an AWESOME CLIMAX!! Yub nub!! Celebrate the Light!!
Episode 7 (The Force Awakens):
And now we're ready for the final chapters. There has been an awakening. Have you felt it? The dark side and the light. The Force...it's calling to you. Just let it in. So good to see old friends long gone. The past...the future. Through the ages, I've seen evil take many forms. The Sith. The Empire. Today, it is the First Order. Their shadow is spreading across the galaxy. We must face them. Fight them. All of us. Oh, no...Solo! You sacrificed yourself to let your son know how much you love your son. No!!!! And Luke...we finally found you. We know you'll be able to help us get out of this mess.
Solo
With that shocking ending...seems like a good time to reflect on the life of Han Solo. Seeing him grow his friendships and have adventures is the perfect way to remember and memorialize this selfless hero.
Episode 8 (The Last Jedi):
Oh, Luke...you can't give up hope. We need you. The galaxy needs you. But a new generation needs to step up to save themselves and their loved ones, too. Interesting lessons. You don't win by killing what you hate, but by saving what you love...that's a very Star Warsy lesson, too. And Rey has no past, but a bright future...what a great ending.
Episode 9 (The Rise of Skywalker)
Palpatine is back? As a clone? What a great callback to the Dark Empire comics from the 90s. Very cool! Ok...I understand now. Palpatine has been trying to create a vessel to pass into this whole time. First, Anakin...but Obi-wan destroyed his body. So, he sired an offspring...but the son of Anakin saved the son of Palpatine. He tried to keep the grandchild of Palpatine safe, but failed to see that this attention would turn the grandchild of Anakin to the Dark Side. But, it turns out The Force and The Light are in anyone who let's it in. The past doesn't matter, just our choice to fight for what is right.
So, the entire saga has been about evil trying to corrupt good for its own benefit and good fighting back to overcome. Pretty good story, over all, I'd say. So,what's on next?
