The Actual Best Way To Watch Every Star Wars Show & Movie

Happy May 4th! And May the 4th be with you. On days like this people love to not only talk about Star Wars but also give their hot takes on which Star Wars movies are the best. Usally we see people rank their favorite Star Wars movies, but I decided to switch things up and tell you how I watch and show new fans the Star Wars movies.

Let me know what you think below!

Ranking

Okay, there are countless hours of Star Wars content once you add the shows and movies. I put rankings next to each show/ movie on how important they are to the "story." Personally, I think you should see it all, but if you're just trying to show a new fan the stuff then go by the numbers.

1. Must Watch

2. Should Watch

3. Can Watch, But don't need to

How To Watch

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1. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

No better place to start than episode one.

After a millennia, an ancient evil returns seeking revenge. Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn discovers Anakin Skywalker: a young slave boy unusually strong with the Force.

Ranking: 1

2. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

Keep it going with another movie.

Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot that could change the galaxy forever.

Ranking: 1

3. The Clone Wars animated movie

I'm going, to be honest... The show is great! This movie not so much. It has some rough spots but helps set up the show well.

Ranking: 2 (while the show is better, this movie will give you characters you need to know without needing to watch the show.)

4. The Clone Wars animated series

Amazing show that now has characters making appearances in newer shows.

Ranking: 3 (Though you should watch some of these episodes: 

"Hostage Crisis" (Season 1, Episode 22) Ranking 1

Bounty Hunters (Season 2 Episode 17) Ranking 2

"Brothers" (Season 4 Episode 21) "Revenge" (Season 4 Episode 22) Ranking 1

"The Mandalore Plot" (Season 2 Episode 12) Ranking 2

"Darkness on Umbara" (Season 4, Episode 7) Ranking 2

All Of Season 7 Ranking: 2

5. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

My personal favorite!

The evil Darth Sidious enacts his final plan for unlimited power -- and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.

Ranking: 1

6. Star Wars: The Bad Batch

A great show and spin-off of the TV show 'The Clone Wars.' You do get to see some characters from the Clone Wars as well.

Ranking: 3

7. Solo: A Star Wars Story

A solid movie with a great character reveals at the end!

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

Ranking: 2

8. Star Wars Rebels animated series

Another great show! New characters you learn to care about with old ones returning.

Ranking: 3 (Though you should watch some of these episodes:

"Spark of Rebellion" (Season 1 Episode 1) Ranking: 2

"Rise of the Old Masters" (Season 1 Episode 4) Ranking: 1

The Siege of Lothal (Season 2 Episode 1) The Siege of Lothal Part 2 (Season 2 Episode 1) Ranking: 1

The Lost Commanders (Season 2 Episode 3) Ranking: 2

Trials of the Darksaber (Season 3 Episode 15) Ranking: 1

All of Season 4 Ranking: 2

9. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Love this movie!

From Lucasfilm comes the first of the Star Wars standalone films, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new epic adventure. In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.

Ranking: 3

10. Star Wars: A New Hope

The one that started it all!

With the planet-destroying power of the Death Star, the Empire looks to cement its grip on the galaxy. Meanwhile, farm boy Luke Skywalker rises to face his destiny.

Ranking: 1

11. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Many consider this the best of the best, and they are correct!

While the Death Star has been destroyed, the battle between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance rages on...and the evil Darth Vader continues his relentless search for Luke Skywalker.

Ranking 1

12. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Many saw this as a great ending, but we now know it was far from over!

Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, while the Emperor seeks to destroy the Rebellion once and for all with a second dreaded Death Star.

Ranking 1

13. The Mandalorian 

Now out with 2 seasons, I love everything about it, and honestly, some episodes are probably 2s or 3s, but I'm just going to give it an overall 1 ranking because of how great it is!

Ranking 1

14. The Book of Boba Fett

This show had mixed reactions. I personally loved its slow-style world-building.

Ranking 2 (BUT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU CHECK OUT THESE EPISODES:

Chapter 5 (Season 1 Episode 5) Ranking: 1

Chapter 6 (Season 1 Episode 6) Ranking: 1

Chapter 7 (Season 2 Episode 7) Ranking: 1

15. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

For some, it was a copy and paste Star Wars Movie. I honestly liked it a lot!

Thirty years after the Battle of Endor, a new threat has risen in the form of the First Order and the villainous Kylo Ren. Meanwhile, Rey, a young scavenger, discovers powers that will change her life -- and possibly save the galaxy.

Ranking 1

16. Star Wars Resistance

This show targets a younger audience, and parts of season 1 technically take place before The Force awakens while season 2 is around the Last Jedi times. There are some great parts if you love the new trilogy.

Ranking: 3

17. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Debatably the most controversial Star Wars-related content on this list. It has its ups and downs for me. I honestly like anything Star Wars.

Rey has found the legendary Luke Skywalker, hoping to be trained in the ways of the Force. Meanwhile, the First Order seeks to destroy the remnants of the Resistance and rule the galaxy unopposed.

Ranking 1

18. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Another movie with mixed reactions which is fair, but boy did I have fun. It is also the last installment on our list.

A powerful enemy returns and Rey must face her destiny.

Ranking 1

With countless hours of Star Wars fun on this list, I hope you love this stuff as much as I do, and May The 4th be with you! You can learn more here.