THANK YOUR LUCKY STAR WARS
Yearning for more from this franchise? We’ve got you covered
Remember the end of 2019 when you were disappointed by Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker? Ah. Simpler times.
Now, when a lot of us are spending more hours indoors than ever, we have the entire Star Wars catalogue at our fingertips. And revisiting the finer moments of this far, far away galaxy with a good stream or two doesn’t seem like the worst idea.
Following is the best of the Star Wars universe, in the order you should take it in.
THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY
DISNEY+
What better way to start than with the original (and still the best) trilogy? Episode IV — A New Hope, Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI — Return of the Jedi. From the destruction of the Death Star to “I am your father,” the classics have aged well.
THE FIRST TWO PREQUELS
DISNEY+
The prequels were far from universally loved, but the success of Star Wars: The Clone Wars — the animated series that takes place between Star Wars episodes II and III — has shined a light on their universe-building. Watch Episode I — The Phantom Menace (for pod-racing and the greatest live-action lightsaber duel of all, among Darth Maul, Obi-wan Kenobi and Qui-gon Jinn) and Episode II — Attack of the Clones (for the creation of the “clones” and the incredible Cgi/live-action fusion of Yoda versus Count Dooku). But before you dive into Episode III — Revenge of the Sith, treat yourself to ...
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS
DISNEY+
If you think animation can’t compete with live-action, you’re selling yourself short. There are spectacular lightsaber battles, cool clone soldiers and the most heroic take on Anakin Skywalker. The prequels only had time to show Anakin as a wonder kid (Episode I), a brat in love (Episode II) and a gullible pawn (Episode III). In The Clone Wars, now in season 7, there are hints of his fall, and yes, he’s got a tem- per, but he’s nothing short of legendary. We also are introduced to Ahsoka Tano, Anakin’s Padawan learner, who has become one of the most popular Star Wars characters ever.
EPISODE III:
REVENGE OF THE SITH
DISNEY+
Tragic love. The fall from grace. Anakin Skywalker vs. Obi-wan Kenobi. And the birth of a legend: Darth Vader begins here.
STAR WARS REBELS
DISNEY+
Rebels, which takes place five years before Episode IV, is another (of multiple) animated Star Wars option on Disney+. The series still has can’t-miss moments, particularly season 2’s final episode, which features a lightsaber duel between the nolonger-a-kid Ahsoka and her former Jedi master Anakin. If you only watch one Rebels episode, this is the one.
ROGUE ONE:
A STAR WARS STORY
DISNEY+
It doesn’t matter if you think Rogue One, a movie that ends just before the opening moments of Episode IV, succeeded as a Star Wars stand-alone or not. It ends with Darth Vader’s greatest moment on film.
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
NETFLIX
Solo showed fan favourite Darth Maul’s brief return to the Star Wars live-action cinematic universe after his death in Episode I, a feat made possible by his rebirth on Clone Wars. This is the origin story of a Star Wars legend, Han Solo. And Donald Glover is great as Lando. Stream it on Netflix until July 8 (it then moves to Disney+).
THE COMICS MARVEL COMICS APP AND COMIXOLOGY
After humble beginnings at Marvel Comics and then two decades at Dark Horse, Star
Wars returned to Marvel in 2015, with tales taking place after the destruction of the Empire’s Death Star. The run lasted for 75 issues, with contributions from a slew of talented artists. Highlights include issue No. 4, which features Darth Vader’s emotional return to Tatooine, and No. 21, with the lightsaber-wielding
Sgt. Kreel and his elite squad of stormtroopers.
THE MANDALORIAN DISNEY+
Baby Yoda, bounty hunters and coming soon ... a live-action Ahsoka Tano. Taking place after the fall of the Empire,
The Mandalorian is the next generation of live-action Star Wars storytelling with vibes of the Wild West merging with deep space.
EPISODE VII — THE FORCE AWAKENS, EPISODE VIII
— THE LAST JEDI
DISNEY+
AND EPISODE IX —
THE RISE OF SKYWALKER ITUNES, AMAZON AND OTHER ON-DEMAND PLATFORMS
The Force Awakens gave us the secret reveal of the next generation of Jedi, plus Darth Vader’s moody grandson Kylo Ren and the cuteness of BB-8. The Last Jedi, while polarizing, is the gem of this trilogy. As for The Rise of Skywalker, you can purchase it now, but why spend those Republic credits ($20)? The Force tells us to do the smart thing and just wait for it to arrive on Disney+. Rise is eventually worth a re-watch for Kylo Ren, who’s still intriguing, and Rey’s path of self-discovery at the end.