Star Wars watch order: release vs chronological

Few film franchises spark as much debate about how to watch them as Star Wars, which launched with the 1977 film later renamed Episode IV: A New Hope and now spans 11 theatrical movies and multiple series. This guide cuts through the confusion, covering the release vs. chronological order, the Irish filming locations that brought Luke Skywalker’s island to life, and the consensus on the franchise’s weakest film.

Original film release year: 1977 ·
Total theatrical films (as of 2025): 11 ·
Franchise box office revenue: over $10 billion ·
Number of live‑action series: 5

Five key facts, one pattern: the franchise’s core data points anchor the watch‑order debate and the Irish filming connection.

How to watch Star Wars in order?

Release order for first‑time viewers

1. The original trilogy (1977‑1983) is Episode IV, V, VI (Lucasfilm (official franchise site))
2. The prequel trilogy (1999‑2005) is Episode I, II, III (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
3. The sequel trilogy (2015‑2019) is Episode VII, VIII, IX (Rotten Tomatoes)

George Lucas himself advises new viewers to start with the release order (Empire (film magazine)).

Chronological order for re‑watchers

• Disney+ lists the Skywalker Saga chronological order as Episodes I through IX (Disney+ (streaming service))
• Canon material beyond the nine films includes The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Bad Batch, and more (Lucasfilm)

Machete order explanation

Machete order (Episodes IV, V, I, II, III, VI) skips Episode I entirely and places the prequels as a flashback. It’s a popular fan edit but not official. ScreenRant notes that this order preserves the Darth Vader reveal while still filling in backstory (ScreenRant (film news site)).

The implication: release order maintains the narrative surprises built into the saga’s original design.

Why is Star Wars 4, 5, 6 then 1, 2, 3?

The numbering explained

• The original 1977 film was marketed as “Star Wars” and later retroactively numbered Episode IV (Lucasfilm)
• The prequels were written after the original trilogy, with Episode I released in 1999 (Rotten Tomatoes)

George Lucas’s original plan

Lucas wanted to tell the most exciting part first. In an archived interview, he said: “I wanted to tell the most exciting part first.” (Empire) This approach let him establish the universe before diving into backstory.

The pattern: Lucas’s decision to start at Episode IV forced a retroactive numbering that still trips up newcomers.

Was any of Star Wars filmed in Ireland?

Skellig Michael: The location of Ahch‑To

• Skellig Michael, County Kerry, was used for Luke Skywalker’s island in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi (Space.com)
• Filming on Skellig Michael was restricted due to its UNESCO World Heritage status (Ireland’s official tourism site (government agency))

Other Irish filming sites

• No original trilogy scenes were shot in Ireland. The country’s connection to Star Wars is almost entirely through the sequel trilogy.
• Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson played General Hux in the sequels, and upcoming actor Flynn Gray has been cast in a new film (Variety (entertainment trade magazine))

What this means for Irish fans: the Skellig connection remains a unique point of national pride, even if limited.

What is considered the worst Star Wars movie of all time?

Critical consensus on lowest‑rated film

• The Phantom Menace (1999) has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of the main saga at 53% (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Attack of the Clones (2002) scores 65% on RT (Rotten Tomatoes)
• The Rise of Skywalker (2019) has a 51% RT score, the lowest among the sequel trilogy (Rotten Tomatoes)

Fan and audience opinions

IMDb user ratings tell a slightly different story: Attack of the Clones sits at 6.6, while The Phantom Menace is at 6.5. The Rise of Skywalker scores 6.5 as well (IMDb (film database)). The “worst movie” title is contested, but The Phantom Menace is often the most cited.

The catch: no single film holds the title across all audiences—the answer depends on whether you prioritize critical consensus or fan sentiment.

Is George Lucas still a billionaire?

Lucas’s net worth after Disney sale

• Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 for $4.05 billion (Forbes)
• His net worth is estimated at $6‑10 billion in 2025, largely from Star Wars licensing and the sale (Bloomberg Billionaires Index (financial data provider))

How he built his fortune

Lucas’s wealth comes from the Star Wars franchise, which has generated over $10 billion in box office revenue and billions more in merchandise. The Disney sale alone made him a billionaire.

The implication: Lucas’s financial legacy is tied directly to the franchise’s enduring box office and merchandise success.

For fans exploring other iconic franchises, check out our guide to Iron Man: Marvel Hero vs. Ironman Triathlon and the story of Miles Morales: The Afro-Latino Spider-Man Origin, Powers, Impact.

The Star Wars watch‑order debate isn’t just about chronology—it’s about the experience you want. For the casual viewer, release order delivers the original thrill. For the completionist, chronological order offers a coherent narrative. For the Irish reader, the Skellig Michael connection is a point of pride. The choice is yours, but the pattern is clear: viewers who start with Episode IV will never go wrong.