For over four decades, the Star Wars saga, masterminded by George Lucas, has been a cultural phenomenon. Its groundbreaking special effects and compelling narratives have captivated audiences across generations, leaving an indelible mark on cinema history. With a vast universe spanning numerous films and television series, knowing where to begin your Star Wars journey, or catch up on the latest releases, can feel like navigating hyperspace without a map.
Fear not, aspiring Jedi and seasoned fans alike! This guide will illuminate where you can watch Star Wars, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of galactic action. We’ll explore the best ways to watch all the Star Wars movies and TV shows in canon, bringing you closer to becoming a true Star Wars master.
With a total movie runtime exceeding 25 hours, and over 350 hours if you immerse yourself in the TV shows and animated series, prepare for an epic adventure. Grab your blue milk, settle in, and let’s jump into lightspeed to discover where to watch Star Wars.
Is Star Wars Streaming on Hulu?
While Hulu itself doesn’t host the main Star Wars collection, subscribers can unlock access to the entire galaxy far, far away through the Disney Bundle. Starting from just $10.99 per month, upgrading to the Disney Bundle grants you access to Disney+, the streaming home for all things Star Wars, including every film, spin-off, and series.
How to Watch Star Wars Movies and Shows: Finding the Right Order
If you’re new to the Star Wars universe, deciding on the correct Star Wars watch order can be perplexing. While there’s no definitive “right” way, we recommend two primary approaches: watching by release date or following the chronological timeline of the Star Wars canon.
Starting Your Journey? Watch Star Wars by Release Date
For newcomers asking “what order should I watch star wars?”, the release date order is often considered the most rewarding first experience. This method mirrors how the saga unfolded for audiences originally, preserving narrative surprises and avoiding potential spoilers. Furthermore, you experience the evolution of filmmaking and special effects as they were introduced.
Star Wars Movies in Release Date Order:
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars Movies and Shows in Release Date Order:
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Resistance (2018)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- The Mandalorian (2019)
- The Book of Boba Fett (2021)
- The Bad Batch (2021)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
- Andor (2022)
- Ahsoka (2023)
For the Devoted Fan: Watch Star Wars by Timeline Order
If you’re already immersed in the Star Wars lore, watching in timeline order, according to the official canon, offers a fresh perspective and a deeper narrative flow. This chronological approach allows you to experience the unfolding saga as events occurred within the Star Wars universe itself.
Star Wars Movies in Timeline Order:
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- The Clone Wars (movie)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Episode IV: A New Hope
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies and Shows in Timeline Order:
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- The Clone Wars (movie)
- The Clone Wars (series)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- The Bad Batch
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Star Wars Rebels
- Andor
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Episode IV: A New Hope
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- The Mandalorian
- The Book of Boba Fett
- Ahsoka
- Star Wars: Resistance
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
How Many Star Wars Movies Are Available?
Currently, the Star Wars galaxy boasts 12 theatrical movies and a growing universe of nine TV series, offering countless hours of entertainment.
Episode IV: A New Hope
Title art for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, featuring Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, C-3PO, and R2-D2 against a backdrop of space.
If you’re wondering why the first Star Wars film is labeled Episode IV, you’re not alone! Initially released simply as Star Wars, this groundbreaking sci-fi adventure was conceived as a standalone movie. It wasn’t until its monumental success that George Lucas envisioned a larger narrative, retroactively subtitling it Episode IV: A New Hope as part of a trilogy, which then expanded into the sprawling franchise we know and love today.
Now positioned as the middle chapter of the saga, Episode IV: A New Hope introduces us to young Luke Skywalker, a farm boy thrust into an intergalactic rebellion. He joins forces with the charming smuggler Han Solo and the wise Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to rescue Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire.
Watch: Episode IV: A New Hope on Disney+*
*Episode IV: A New Hope is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Title art for Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, featuring Darth Vader's helmet prominently displayed against a dark, cloudy background.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, the second installment of the original trilogy, is often hailed as a fan favorite and a cinematic masterpiece. It deepens Luke Skywalker’s journey as he trains with Jedi Master Yoda to hone his skills against the dark side and the relentless Empire, led by the menacing Sith Lord Darth Vader. This episode is known for its darker tone and iconic plot twists.
Watch: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back on Disney+*
*Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Title art for Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, showcasing Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader engaged in a lightsaber duel, with Emperor Palpatine observing.
Luke Skywalker’s saga continues in Return of the Jedi as he completes his Jedi training and embarks on a mission to rescue Han Solo from the clutches of the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt. This concluding chapter of the original trilogy delivers epic space battles, heartwarming reunions, and the ultimate confrontation with the dark side.
Watch: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi on Disney+*
*Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Title art for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, featuring Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Jar Jar Binks against a backdrop of Naboo.
After the resounding success of the original trilogy, George Lucas returned to tell the story of how it all began with The Phantom Menace. Set decades before the original Star Wars, this prequel trilogy opener introduces young Anakin Skywalker, a boy with an extraordinary connection to the Force, and delves into the political intrigue of the Galactic Republic.
Watch: Episode I: The Phantom Menace on Disney+*
*Episode I: The Phantom Menace is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Title art for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, showing Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala in a romantic embrace amidst a battle scene.
Anakin’s journey continues in Attack of the Clones as the galaxy teeters on the brink of war. Now a young Jedi Padawan, Anakin grapples with his forbidden love for Padmé Amidala while navigating the escalating conflict and the emergence of the mysterious Sith Lord Count Dooku and the clone army.
Watch: Episode II: Attack of the Clones on Disney+*
*Episode II: Attack of the Clones is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Title art for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, depicting Anakin Skywalker with a conflicted expression and a lightsaber, foreshadowing his transformation into Darth Vader.
Revenge of the Sith concludes the prequel trilogy with the devastating climax of the Clone Wars and Anakin Skywalker’s tragic descent to the dark side. This pivotal film features the iconic duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi and witnesses the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Galactic Empire, forever altering the Star Wars landscape.
Watch: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith on Disney+*
*Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Title art for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, featuring Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron standing ready for action against a desert backdrop.
The Force Awakens launches a new era of Star Wars, introducing a fresh generation of heroes and villains. Set decades after Return of the Jedi, it follows Rey, a resourceful scavenger, and Finn, a former stormtrooper, as they become entangled in the fight against the sinister First Order and the enigmatic Kylo Ren.
Watch: Episode VII: The Force Awakens on Disney+*
*Episode VII: The Force Awakens is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Title art for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, showing Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor leading a team of rebels on a mission.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a thrilling prequel to Episode IV: A New Hope, focusing on a group of Rebel heroes led by Jyn Erso. They undertake a perilous mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon. This standalone film highlights the sacrifices and bravery of ordinary individuals within the larger Star Wars rebellion.
Watch: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Disney+*
*Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
Title art for Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, featuring Rey wielding a lightsaber, with Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren looming in the background.
The Last Jedi continues Rey’s journey as she seeks guidance from the legendary Luke Skywalker to master the Force. Together, they must confront the growing threat of Snoke, Kylo Ren, and the First Order, facing internal conflicts and battling for the galaxy’s future in this visually stunning and narratively complex chapter.
Watch: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi on Disney+*
*Episode VIII: The Last Jedi is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Title art for Solo: A Star Wars Story, featuring a young Han Solo and Chewbacca in the Millennium Falcon cockpit.
Solo: A Star Wars Story takes us back in time to explore the formative years of Han Solo before he became a galactic smuggler and Rebel hero. This standalone adventure reveals how young Han met his loyal co-pilot Chewbacca and developed his complicated relationship with Lando Calrissian, offering insights into the origins of a beloved Star Wars icon.
Watch: Solo: A Star Wars Story on Disney+*
*Solo: A Star Wars Story is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Title art for Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, featuring Rey and Kylo Ren engaged in a lightsaber battle against a stormy backdrop.
The Rise of Skywalker concludes the Skywalker saga with the return of the malevolent Emperor Palpatine. Rey, Finn, Poe, and Chewbacca must unite to confront this ultimate evil and determine Rey’s destiny in the final battle for balance in the Force.
Watch: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker on Disney+*
*Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Title art for Star Wars: The Clone Wars, featuring Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano in animated form.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars began as an animated movie and evolved into a critically acclaimed TV series, bridging the narrative gap between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It expands the Star Wars universe with new characters, deeper storylines, and thrilling adventures during the Clone Wars era, offering crucial context to the prequel trilogy.
Watch: Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Disney+*
*Star Wars: The Clone Wars is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Exploring Star Wars TV Series on Disney+
Beyond the movies, Disney+ is your gateway to a wealth of Star Wars TV series, enriching the universe and providing even more content to explore.
Star Wars Rebels
Title art for Star Wars Rebels, featuring the crew of the Ghost ship – Ezra Bridger, Kanan Jarrus, Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Zeb Orrelios, and Chopper.
Star Wars Rebels is another animated gem, following a new band of rebels fighting against the oppressive Galactic Empire in the years leading up to Episode IV: A New Hope. Packed with action, compelling characters, and surprise appearances from iconic figures like Darth Vader, Rebels is essential viewing for Star Wars enthusiasts.
Watch: Star Wars: Rebels on Disney+*
*Star Wars Rebels is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Star Wars Resistance
Title art for Star Wars Resistance, featuring Kazuda Xiono and BB-8 in animated style, set against a backdrop of starfighters.
Star Wars Resistance introduces Kazuda Xiono, a young pilot recruited by the Resistance to spy on the growing threat of the First Order before the events of The Force Awakens. With vibrant animation and a focus on starfighter action, Resistance adds another exciting chapter to the Star Wars saga.
Watch: Star Wars: Resistance on Disney+*
*Star Wars Resistance is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
The Mandalorian
Title art for The Mandalorian, featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu (Baby Yoda) walking across a desolate landscape.
The Mandalorian, a flagship Disney+ Original series, ventures into the Star Wars galaxy beyond the Skywalker saga. Set between the original and sequel trilogies, it follows a lone bounty hunter, the Mandalorian (Din Djarin), and his unexpected companion, Grogu (often referred to as Baby Yoda). Their journey across the galaxy is filled with action, adventure, and heartfelt moments.
Watch: The Mandalorian on Disney+*
*The Mandalorian is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
The Book of Boba Fett
Title art for The Book of Boba Fett, featuring Boba Fett in his iconic armor, standing in front of a throne.
The Book of Boba Fett is a spin-off of The Mandalorian, focusing on the legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett. Resurfacing after his apparent demise in Return of the Jedi, Boba Fett seeks to carve out his own territory in the galaxy’s underworld, confronting both new and familiar adversaries.
Watch: The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+*
*The Book of Boba Fett is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Title art for Obi-Wan Kenobi, featuring Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi in a desert setting.
Obi-Wan Kenobi revisits the beloved Jedi Master in a Disney+ series set between the prequel and original trilogies. Exiled on Tatooine after the events of Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan is tasked with protecting a young Luke Skywalker while grappling with his past and facing the lingering threat of Darth Vader.
Watch: Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+*
*Obi-Wan Kenobi is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Andor
Title art for Andor, featuring Cassian Andor in a gritty, espionage-thriller style setting.
Andor is a prequel series to Rogue One, focusing on the Rebel spy Cassian Andor. This spy thriller delves into the early days of the Rebellion, showcasing Cassian’s journey from a disillusioned individual to a committed rebel, highlighting the sacrifices and moral ambiguities of fighting against the Empire.
Watch: Andor on Disney+*
*Andor is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
The Bad Batch
Title art for The Bad Batch, featuring the animated Bad Batch clones – Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Crosshair, and Echo.
The Bad Batch is an animated spin-off of The Clone Wars, following the elite squad of clone troopers known as Clone Force 99, or the Bad Batch. Each member possesses unique abilities, making them formidable soldiers as they navigate the galaxy in the aftermath of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire.
Watch: The Bad Batch on Disney+*
*The Bad Batch is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Ahsoka
Title art for Ahsoka, featuring Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano wielding her lightsabers.
Ahsoka brings the fan-favorite character Ahsoka Tano to the forefront in her own Disney+ series. Set during the same era as The Mandalorian, after Return of the Jedi, the series follows Ahsoka’s continued fight against the remnants of the Galactic Empire, expanding on her journey that began in The Clone Wars.
Watch: Ahsoka on Disney+*
*Ahsoka is available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Tips for Your Star Wars Watch-Through
Why the Out-of-Order Episodes?
George Lucas’s storytelling vision for Star Wars began with what he felt was the most impactful part of a larger narrative – Episode IV: A New Hope. The prequel films were developed and released later, after the initial film’s phenomenal success, to flesh out the backstory and expand the Star Wars universe.
Chronological Clone Wars Viewing?
While The Clone Wars was released out of chronological order, watching it according to the Star Wars timeline can deepen your understanding and appreciation of the narrative. For a chronological episode guide, the official Star Wars website is a valuable resource.
Movie or Series First for Clone Wars?
For newcomers to The Clone Wars or the broader Star Wars universe, starting with The Clone Wars movie is generally recommended. It serves as an introduction to the characters and sets the stage for the series’ tone and setting.
Can You Skip The Clone Wars Series?
While not strictly essential for understanding the core Star Wars movie saga, The Clone Wars series greatly enriches the universe. It provides significant depth and context to the Clone Wars era, a crucial period in Star Wars history, and develops key characters like Ahsoka Tano.
Episode I or Episode IV Start?
The starting point is a matter of personal preference. For a chronological journey through the Star Wars canon, begin with Episode I. To experience Star Wars as original audiences did, start with Episode IV.
Is Watching Star Wars in Order Necessary?
For newcomers, following either timeline or release date order is recommended for a coherent experience. However, ultimately, the order in which you explore the Star Wars universe is entirely up to you!
Dive Deeper into Star Wars on Disney+
Your Star Wars adventure doesn’t end with the movies and series! Disney+ offers a treasure trove of Star Wars extras and specials:
*Titles are available with The Disney Bundle. Access content from each service separately.
Sign Up for the Disney Bundle Today
Upcoming Star Wars on Disney+
The Star Wars galaxy continues to expand on Disney+ with exciting new content on the horizon:
- Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024) – Coming Tuesday, December 3, 2024
- The Mandalorian & Grogu (Film – 2026)
Star Wars Frequently Asked Questions
When Was the First Star Wars Movie Released?
Episode IV: A New Hope, the movie that started it all, premiered in theaters on May 25, 1977.
When is Star Wars Day Celebrated?
Star Wars Day, an unofficial fan holiday, is celebrated annually on May 4th – “May the Fourth be with you!”
Where is Star Wars Available to Watch?
All Star Wars movies and shows, along with behind-the-scenes content and crossover specials, are readily available for streaming on Disney+.
