
The best way to watch the Star Wars films is in release order: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, The Force Awakens, and The Last Jedi. I’m here to take a position, so let’s just get this out of the way. They fundamentally change the conversation.

The Clone Wars film, all animated series, and the Ewoks TV movies are off the table. For our purposes here, we’re only considering the nine (to date) live-action theatrical films. There are a surprising number of ways to order the Star Wars films, and compelling arguments can be made in favor of most of them. Now that we’re about to have 10 films, the debate has gotten exponentially more layered and increasingly challenging. There were disagreements back when things were simpler and we only had six films to organize. Of all of the debates in Star Wars fandom, the “correct” order to watch the films is one of the most contentious. Look, I know you have an opinion on this topic.

Jamie Greene says he prefers to watch the films in the order in which they were released: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, The Force Awakens, and The Last Jedi. In this installment, in celebration of Star Wars Day on May the 4th, two writers discuss their preferred order for film viewing enjoyment.

Best bounty hunter? Most powerful Jedi? Does Salacious Crumb have the best haircut in the saga? In that spirit, presents From a Certain Point of View: a series of point-counterpoints on some of the biggest - and most fun - Star Wars issues. One of the great things about Star Wars is that it inspires endless debates and opinions on a wide array of topics.
