Introducing Star Wars to those who have never seen it before -- particularly our kids -- is a very fun but also a very big responsibility. 

 

The biggest question is: what is the best order in which to watch the movies? The chronological story-order of the movies (progressing Episode 1 to Episode 9) is not the order in which the movies were made (which was: 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9). It is this reviewer's opinion that the best order is the following:

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• Episode IV: A New Hope

• Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

• Episode I: The Phantom Menace

• Episode II: Attack of the Clones

• Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

• Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

• Episode VII: The Force Awakens

• Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

• Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

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This order is the best for introducing the right story elements first; for retaining plot surprises and spoilers to their maximum extent; for slowly building expectations of special effects and spectacle; and for maximizing the dramatic weight of fulcrum points of the epic tale being told. 

 

 

For a lengthy essay by Rod Hilton expanding on the virtues of this "Machete Order," see his essay: The Star Wars Saga: Introducing Machete Order
 

And for a wonderful and heart-warming diary of a father introducing his children to the Star Wars Saga using this order, please read Drew McSweeny's very moving accounts here: 

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1. We kick off a special series with a first viewing of ‘Star Wars’ on Blu-ray

2. We finally reach The Moment with ‘Empire Strikes Back’ on Blu-ray

3. We flashback to ‘The Phantom Menace’ as the ‘Star Wars’ series continues

4. Yoda seals the deal for ‘Attack Of The Clones’ on Blu-ray

5. ‘Revenge Of The Sith’ devastates the kids as Anakin falls from grace

6. The hero’s journey ends with ‘Return Of The Jedi’ on Blu-ray

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