Few things make me as envious as thinking about the people who get to watch the original Star Wars trilogy for the first time. The people who are either affectionately forced into it by someone who’s already a fan, or those who’ve finally decided it’s time. Because, let’s be real—what is time? There are still so many movies on my own list that I have no idea when I’ll finally get to.
But if you’re about to embark on a journey to a galaxy far, far away, and you want to watch the original Star Wars trilogy, here’s our official guide. If you want to start from the beginning of the story, long before Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, then we suggest starting with the prequel trilogy.
Star Wars: A New Hope
Sometimes referred to as Star Wars, other times known as A New Hope. This is the George Lucas film that started it all. A message from a princess that led to the biggest adventure so many of us grew up with. A New Hope introduces people to Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia, Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford’s Han Solo, Alec Guinness’ Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Wookiee named Chewbacca, two droids we could never forget, R2-D2 and C-3PO, and the single greatest villain in Darth Vader, plus more while taking us through a classic battle versus evil, with the kind of complex themes we can still analyze decades years later.
While it might not be most people’s favorite of the trilogy, it’s still pure magic as a beginning. It’s my least favorite of the three, yet its importance is undeniable, and that’s why I have a giant poster of it hung on my office wall. It’s meant something to all of us who’ve loved the trilogy, and it’ll surely be a blast to anyone watching for the first time.
The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back isn’t just objectively the best Star Wars movie, but it’s one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, and the perfect example of how to execute an earned plot twist and jaw-dropping cliffhanger. There’s a good chance everyone and their mother knows exactly what the plot twist is, and yet even when you watch it, nothing can prepare you for what it all evokes.
Visually stunning with some of the best practical effects, everything about The Empire Strikes Back shines as a glowing second movie. The romance, the platonic bonds that strengthen, the score, the pacing, and every narrative beat make the story the kind of unforgettable movie you’ll find yourself constantly comparing everything to.
Return of the Jedi
The original trilogy concludes with what’ll forever be my personal favorite, Return of the Jedi. We get Ewoks; need I really say more? Fun, fresh, and remarkably written to give viewers a satisfying conclusion that benefits all characters, everything about Return of the Jedi makes the movie easy to rewatch and revisit.
Part of what makes the ending so easy to appreciate is that it doesn’t tarnish the beginning or middle. While Star Wars can rarely agree on things, we all mostly seem to agree on the fact that the original trilogy is the most satisfying in delivering a cohesive story where every moment feels earned, endearing, and entertaining.