Which Star Wars Show or Film Should You Watch Next?

There is just so much Star Wars™ content out there. Longtime fans likely rejoice. But for newcomers, it can be a bit overwhelming. Or maybe you consider yourself a consistent fan, but haven’t had the time or interest in every single project. (Luckily you’ve got a little breathing room before Star Wars: Starfighter releases in May 2027).

Whatever the reason, we’re here if you need help deciding which Star Wars media to watch (or perhaps rewatch) next. A television series or a full-length film? Something darker or more lighthearted? Depending on your personal preferences, we’ve got the perfect picks and pairings below.

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The Phantom Menace™ / The Acolyte™

Both The Phantom Menace and The Acolyte serve as prequels to stories we already know. These projects touch on earlier eras, and put some much-needed perspective on the Jedi. Their hubris and ego are on full display, though with all the expected nuance. Phantom Menace and The Acolyte simply showcase the gray area between good and evil and ask the audience to form their own opinions.

And if you want to learn more about Force dyads, make sure you watch The Rise of Skywalker™!

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Attack of the Clones™ / The Clone Wars™ and The Bad Batch™

Attack of the Clones introduces a new type of army. Clone troopers, with numerical designations, are battlefield fodder and little else. Fortunately, The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch cartoons give these soldiers extensive backgrounds. The Clone Wars, with seven total seasons, is quite the time commitment. But if you need a more bite-size foray into this corner of the galaxy, try three exquisitely crafted seasons which follow the ragtag group known as Clone Force 99.

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Revenge of the Sith™ / Tales of the Jedi™

Revenge of the Sith deals in downfalls. It’s tragic, but also fascinating, giving us a glimpse into the inner workings of the Jedi Temple and Council before ripping them out of the picture. Thankfully, Tales of the Jedi fills in some of the most wanted gaps. The animated series directly ties into Padmé Amidala’s funeral scene from Episode III. Plus, Tales of the Jedi includes a few parallel duels such as the Count Dooku and Yaddle showdown (mirroring the Darth Sidious versus Yoda).

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A New Hope™ / Obi-Wan Kenobi™ and The Force Awakens™

Perhaps you’re a bit of a purist who likes to stick close to the originals. Well, A New Hope starts it all. Obi-Wan Kenobi feels so close to the original trilogy — with the added bonus of amazing action sequences — that it’ll take your breath away. After all, the core of the OT is not just the twins, but also the relationship between Kenobi and Skywalker, and how their falling out shaped the galaxy for decades to come. What A New Hope teases in a simple, single battle expands across a mini series with Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Additionally, The Force Awakens shares a similar narrative format with A New Hope. They rhyme, so to speak. An unlikely hero undertakes a task that ultimately leads them to their destiny, learning extraordinary skills along the way. Plus, there’s a trio, a charming droid, a masked villain, a terrifying space station, and a desert planet. If you love A New Hope’s plot yet crave more modern, diverse characters, try Episode VII.

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The Empire Strikes Back™ / Solo: A Star Wars Story™

Let’s hear it for Han Solo! This scruffy looking nerf herder features prominently throughout The Empire Strikes Back … especially once his precarious past with Lando Calrissian comes back to haunt him. If you want to learn more about what transpired between these two, watch Solo. The film explores Han’s backstory as an outlaw and record-breaking smuggler. It even shows how he meets Chewbacca!

P.S. Solo also includes a tease about Darth Maul’s crime syndicate, Crimson Dawn. Learn more about this sinister organization in the upcoming animated show, Maul — Shadow Lord™.

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Return of the Jedi™ / The Book of Boba Fett™

Despite very little screen time in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Boba Fett really impacted audiences. His tough exterior and mercenary role were mysterious and intriguing. Then he goes and dies! Or … does he? The Book of Boba Fett resurrects this fan-favorite (almost) literally, finding him crawling out of the sarlacc pit in order to reclaim his fate. Taking back what he’s owed from Jabba the Hutt, Boba proves himself the worthwhile antihero everyone first fell in love with.

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The Mandalorian™ / Tales of the Underworld™

If bounty hunters and scum and villainy are your jam, you’ve got to try Tales of the Underworld. While The Mandalorian is basically long-form content at this point — not to mention the movie coming soon — Tales of the Underworld is a small weekend watch. A foray into the darkest corners of the galaxy, it features Star Wars‘ two most beloved bounty hunters: Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress.

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Ahsoka™ / Rebels™

Personally, I adore the most mystic and fantastical parts of Star Wars. The live-action series Ahsoka delves into the World Between Worlds as well as a Force-wielder’s ability to travel to different universes. Well, that entire concept begins in the Rebels cartoon. Truly one of the best Star Wars releases of all time, the show takes place between the prequels and original trilogy for a wider lens view of the galaxy. And you’ll never be able to shake how much you care about these characters by the end.

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Rogue One™ / Andor™

Andor is a chilling political thriller made for the most discerning fans. Simmering with tension and real-world allegories, it’s been hailed as a masterpiece by critics worldwide. And it follows a character from Rogue One who is doomed from the start. That’s right — we know he’s going to die. But we’re compelled by his story and can convince ourselves, if only for a moment, that when he flies off in the finale, it won’t be to kickstart the events that end with Cassian Andor’s untimely demise.

Finally, don’t forget that Rogue One ends right where A New Hope picks up. So, if you want to watch everything in chronological order, get Episode IV queued up after Darth Vader slaughters all those Rebels on his warpath for the Death Star plans.

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Of course, this isn’t even an exhaustive list of all the Star Wars media out there! Star Wars super fans will note the absence of a few feature films, plus all the behind-the-scenes content. Plus, there’s the Christmas Special, the Ewok animated adventures (and live-action movies), and video games such as Jedi: Fallen Order — which are watchable via Let’s Play streamers, if gaming isn’t your thing. With so much in-universe, canon content, it’s difficult to keep up. But we believe in you. After all, the Force is with you. Always.

What’s your favorite Star Wars show or movie? And based on your preferences, which other projects would you rank highest on your “Best Star Wars” list? Share your thoughts with other fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And as always, don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!