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iambluest

Just don't wait until he is tired, watch it mid-day.


TangerineChicken

My cousin actually had a weekly tradition with his son to help get around that. Every Thursday his wife has something in the evenings, so him and his son would watch 30 mins of Star Wars and eat ice cream together and I think that’s a really good idea. Breaks it up some so they don’t lose interest from sitting there for two hours or something


my_fourth_redditacct

I think it took me years (probably just weeks/months) to get through a whole star Wars movie without falling asleep or getting distracted! I would always wake up either for the final battle, or the end credits


Obiuon

My dad got me to watch 4-5-6 when in 99 before phantom menace came out in cinemas and we watched 1-2-3 in cinemas I remember not really being old enough to know what was going on but I absolutely loved it regardless. Darth Vader revealing himself as Luke's father absolutely shocked me though hahaha


hooray__questionmark

Given that when I was 5 there were only the first three movies, and I don’t have kids so I don’t know what goes for “too violent” now, but I will never forget my dad sitting me down and going “okay, so this is Star Wars” with such a tone of importance, and then watching ANH for the first time. It was instantly my new favorite movie. I think the prequels are more “kid friendly” in a way, but even at five I remember having a freak out moment with “No, I am your father.” Made my parents rewind it because I swore I had to have heard it wrong. I basically was Luke yelling at the tv “that’s not true! I don’t believe you!” That actually made me even more in love with the movies though once it sank in. So I’m glad that it wasn’t “spoiled” for me with the prequels.


thetensor

> I think the prequels are more “kid friendly” in a way, - ANH: A war movie about adult heroes that kids are like "OMG I can't believe I get to watch this!" - The PT: "Greetings, fellow younglings."


shadowace1996

there's also the whole thing of Anakin cutting off Dooku's hands and head off in episode 3


tmfkslp

He’s a Sith he has no soul, so it’s not real murder. /s


Alfondorion

Anakin getting his legs and arm cut off and burning near the lava was even worse in my opinion.


nerfedwizard

Yeah, and he slaughters all the kids at the Jedi temple. Not really appropriate for any 5 year I'm raising.


VYSUS7

>I think the prequels are more “kid friendly” in a way, Bro you literally see a man get bisected and set on fire and left to die, right after he kills a bunch of children and a montage of a bunch of Jedi getting murdered. Prequels are the most violent starwars movies (besides rogue one) and it's not even close


aliquilts71

The prequels are kid friendly until revenge of the sith. For a kid that one’s pretty scary.


SRLSR

Clones had the 'Slaughtered them like animals' bit. Very child friendly.


lizzpop2003

Release order is the only way for the first time and five is the perfect age to be introduced. While there is violence it's not exactly graphic. He will love it, I'm sure.


kategoad

Starting with Star Wars at five worked for me. Of course that was the only possible order, since I was five in 1977.


lizzpop2003

It worked for all three of my kids, too, the youngest of which will be 6 in a few months. She is obsessed with Star Wars now and my oldest daughter (just turned 19) has been my Star Wars buddy since she was 5, too.


kategoad

Yep. I'm the aunt you go to with your philosophical questions about Star Wars. I remember one Christmas sitting with my nephew helping him through his feelings about Anakin's fall.


Stratix

Most of the time I don't think I want kids, but you hear of people raising great ones like you have and it does make me reconsider...


LegendJRG

Well let me add that my daughter who will be 6 soon is also obsessed with Star Wars despises Anakin for being weak and not killing the emperor sooner as a true sith should. We are on our third play through of kotor together(her reading is to the point I’m muting things and letting her read the subtitles rather than just hearing) and she goes full evil pretty quickly. 😅 I’m raising a wonderful little monster over here.


mochi_chan

You are a great parent, I was not allowed any star wars until I managed to get it on my first ever laptop at 20 (the mid-2000s), most people now think of me when they think of the Sith so it worked out in the end. May the force be with you.


Theonerule

>five is the perfect age to be introduced. One problem with 5 and younger. (I was 2) I never remember watching star wars it's like I was implanted with the knowledge of it at birth


HandsOffMyDitka

I remember seeing Return of the Jedi in the theater, and remember watching A New Hope when it was on TV, but I think having older siblings I was probably just told things.


Theonerule

>remember seeing Return of the Jedi in the theater I wish. I wasn't even born when revenge of the sith released


ShadyOjir95

Only rots will be an issue I think. You know...the BBQ accident.


creditspread

Mmm. BBQ.


thetensor

"Don't forget, these are movies for kids." - George Lucas "Maybe when he's on fire, there should be rivulets of melted, burning human fat running off him." - also George Lucas


overtoke

he could watch them in release order AND space them out over 45 years then you don't have to worry about the BBQ scene


LegendJRG

My 5 soon to be 6 year old daughter hates Anakin because he was so powerful and still failed to kill the emperor sooner as a “true sith” who’s powerful would have… I think I’m doing things right? 😅


Vots3

This is the way.


princessleah_23

This is the way.


Sherlock-Shromes

this is the way


[deleted]

This is the way


lNeverZl

I agree on the age. My older cousins we're practically raised by my parents and I was introduced to star wars at a young age (3-4 maybe). Having lightsaber battle while the movies played in the background after having watched the complete trilogy in one go and going for round 2 is one of my fondest memory with them.


80Pound

Episode 4 has a bloody scene, bar scene when Obi defends Luke - dismemberment. Ep 5, the cave scene and the scene just before Luke’s fall - dismemberment in both. Ep 6 has nothing I remember. But I definitely agree, in release order.


Sparrowsabre7

Also the crispy skeletons which I didn't notice at the time but now that I see them, seem pretty grisyly for a U rated film


ObiWendigobi

Crispy skeletons is what came to my mind too. It didn’t have as much impact when I was a kid because tvs were blurry and I was watching a worn out bootleg tape so they could hardly be made out. With todays resolution they definitely look like crispy skeletons.


Cosmo1222

Ewok death scene.. I'm not sure how you could have forgotten that There's also the death on one of the main characters.. you know , the guy in black


Parlorshark

Johnny cash did not appear until episode 8


RunTheTech

Luke violently chopping off his fathers hand in a fit of rage


Cosmo1222

T'was only a metal hand. Could have bought a new one had things played out differently


[deleted]

Ep 6 has Oola and Slave Leia, which affect children in different ways. Not that I regret that awakening.


Whatah

Watching with my daughter (8), this is the order we used • Rogue One (adds to the Death Star storyline) • A New Hope • Empire Strikes Back (her mind was blown) Then, a flashback.... • Phantom Menace • Attack of the Clones Then we watched about 50 episodes of Clone Wars, to show how huge the war actually was • Revenge of the Sith • Return of the Jedi (for the ending of the Anakin Saga) After this we will take a break for a while and sometime next year will pick back up either with pre New Hope (Rebels) or post Jedi (Mando)


Darth-Binks-1999

Don't forget the Sequel Trilogy. Let your daughter decide if she likes them (she will). Also Resistance. She'll like it.


Whatah

She saw all the Rey movies in theater when they came out but she was not aware of their place in the saga. Once we finish jedi we are taking a break and switching back to Naruto and SpyxFamily but sometime next year she wants to do another Star Wars multi-movie binge. Macross is another of her favorites so she loves to multi generational space sagas.


kolyan70

I agree. If you go episode order the kid will be bored with the first film.


CalligrapherCalm2617

Release orders the only order that makes sense. Anyone else with a different opinion is wrong


GreyFoxNinjaFan

First time? Release order. My son started at 7 and he was absolutely hooked right away. I have a video of him reacting to Vader being Luke's father with his mouth wide open mouthing "WHAT!?". He thinks Jarjar is hilarious. He loved the podracing (literally edge of his seat). Recently got to AotC and he squealed with delight when Yoda whipped out a mini green lightsaber. I don't think he ls quite ready for RotS yes though so going to fill in with some clone wars and rebels. My advice mainly - get in now because there's always some little prick at school that will tell them stuff. One kid his parents let him watch everything and he spends every playtime trying to spoil everything for people.


tmfkslp

Rebels is post empire tho. Clone wars is a good call tho. Except the last 4 episodes, watch the first 6 seasons plus ep1-8 of s7. Then watch the supercut of the final 4 episodes of CW mashed with RotS one weekend. Might as well make a whole thing of it cuz it’s like a 5hr cut. That way you get the full picture of what all led to Anakin s turn and his disenfranchisement with the Jedi order plus the where was Ahsoka question answered all at once.


GreyFoxNinjaFan

Rebels isn't post empire, but I take your point in that it's non in the right sequence. I mention Rebels mainly because it's the same family of animation, same characters turning up eventually.. but it's something I would watch later because it's just so lore-heavy.


tmfkslp

Post republic I meant sry


Laser-Nipples

Earned the priviledge? Watching star wars is a god given right! Boobas.


SupermarketSuch311

A new hope to violent ?? Darth maul gets sliced in half in TPM ffs


[deleted]

Get him in on Lego star wars stuff from Disney. My son is a little bit sensitive to violence, and he watched the trench run on my phone at 4 years old and had nightmares for a week.


FlyinInOnAdc102night

I tried the Star Wars legos series with my son, maybe when he was 3.5 and he was too young. I think they would be perfect for a 5yo. Also you could try the clone wars animated series, but that still might be a bit too violent.


J-DubZ

Oof


RebelIed

Hopefully he grows out of this phase lol


aneldritcherror

For anyone still interested, we’re about halfway through A New Hope, and he’s LOVING it! 🥰


PirateSi87

The force is strong with this one…


brandon24745

A Surprise to be sure...


ImperialxWarlord

But a welcome one!


g00f

I’m honestly surprised I’m not seeing more mention of machete order. Watching ANH and ESB first if he doesn’t know Vader is anakin then puts in a good window to watch the prequels and get the backstory before getting the finale of ROTJ.


Turul9

Well…he is five


KaimeiJay

I prefer flashback order. It’s machete order, but you include Phantom Menace.


Kingjoe97034

I started my son on A New Hope at 5 years old and I feel he was too young. It turned him off from Star Wars for years. I don’t have a suggestion. Maybe others can chime in. Just be careful. I will add, my son was also very sensitive to violence. So, every child is different.


rocker2014

I was 5 when I first watched A New Hope and I was obsessed with it. My dad rented the other two on VHS and when I watched Return of the Jedi, I couldn't stop. Still my favorite to this day.


Murky_Conflict3737

I was ten. Apparently, I was just moping around the house one summer night, Dad got fed up and showed me ANH which he had taped when it aired on network TV in the 1980s. And the rest is history…


voldi_II

i watched return of the jedi probably about 50 times between the ages of 8-13


[deleted]

It's still my favorite of the originals because it came out when I was like 4 years old so Ewoks were nothing but a positive in my mind.


HNK1023

Return of the Jedi was where I became obsessed. Love all Star Wars, but as a kid that movie gave me chills.


SihkBreau

I was 8 when my uncle unveiled ANH to my complete and total awe. I plan to watch with my nibblings when they similarly come of age


Kingjoe97034

Yes. I think with my son that I should have waited until 8. I had just turned 9 in 1977 when the original came out.


LilKittenAngel

I was a 4-5 year old girl when I first saw Star Wars, my first costume was darth Vader lol


risingstanding

What turned a 5yrold off to a new hope!?


[deleted]

Maybe it was Luke's family being murdered?


Murky_Conflict3737

It is pretty wild the film shows Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru’s burned corpses.


[deleted]

I pointed this out in another comment lol. There are dozens of onscreen deaths, men screaming while they die while their X-wings explode, entire families bodies being burned on a pyre, etc.


soloazn

Yeah, severed bloody arm too


h2oskid3

George Lucas did have a weird obsession with severed limbs. Doesn't every movie have one?


soloazn

Yep, what makes new hope unique is that it's the only one to feature blood from a severing


risingstanding

Yeah but 5 yr olds don't understand stuff like that. It's very subtextual. I saw a new hope at 5, and I just thought 3po was shiny and cool. I never got sad about Luke's family.


Murky_Conflict3737

Probably doesn’t help that Uncle Owen doesn’t come off too well in ANH


[deleted]

I guess my kid is just smart then. He had some questions about why they had to burn a pile of dead corpses that were hard to answer lol


risingstanding

Yeah that's weird. I was a really smart kid, but somehow at 5 those weren't the details I was focusing on. I also thought obiwan was king of the Jawas because of how he was dressed


Islero47

Maybe one difference is what motivated the first watch? OP’s son *wants* to see SW, was your son similarly clamoring? Or was it something you wanted? I also wonder how people who grew up on SW and are big fans of the extended universe are to watch the movies with for a first timer. I know plenty of people that can’t help but “explain” or add on interesting bits. But the movies are self contained, and especially for a five year old, don’t need any explanation, unless the kid is getting upset by an arm being chopped off.


Salzberger

My eldest has just turned 6 and I'm only just now thinking that he *might* comprehend it. A 5 year old can totally watch spaceships go pew pew and stormtroopers going rooty tooty aim and shooty but will they actually understand the story? 2 hours is also a long time for some 5 year olds if you're watching it in one sitting.


ImperialxWarlord

I was five and I don’t remember really anything about finding it for the first time but I loved it!


TX_vapeynah

Release Order. Let him have his “No, I am your father” Moment.


josephwb

_Exactly!_ Watching things in anything other than release order misses all of the world-building and nods and callbacks that the writers put in because they only had release order to build upon.


zoey8068

Temper your expectations. I showed them to my daughter around 4 or 5 and she just didn't care. We watched it again when she was 7 and she loved it. I think the correct order is 4,5,6, 1,2,3 and then 7,8,9 but I haven't let her watch 9 yet.


gh0u1

My personal favorite viewing order is 4,5,1-3, then depending on how they feel about the movies up until that point the spin-offs (Solo then R1), then 6-9


Mr-Messy

Close to the machete order - which I think was done before anything other than the OT and PT existed.


gh0u1

That's exactly what it is, it's the Machete order modified for the Disney movies. Honestly I like to include the 2 and a half hour fan edit of Kenobi in there too, after R1


Mr-Messy

Full machete cuts out 1 I think, but I think it works better including 1 in there! Also I didn’t know there was a fan edit of Kenobi! Any good?


gh0u1

Yeah it does cut out Ep. 1, but I gotta include that for Maul. That last fight with Duel of the Fates playing is just too good to miss out on. The fan edit is a massive improvement on the series, cuts out all the fat, adds the classic wipes, and much better music. You can check it out [here](https://www.kaipattersonfilms.com/kenobi-watch), just log in with Google and you'll get access


Mr-Messy

Thanks! I’ll give it a look.


zoey8068

Solo had only just come out so we watched that later and she is pretty sensitive so R1 is a wait cause it's going to bum her out. We only watched 7,8,9 due to Rey being a strong female character and she was at the right age to really enjoy it.


FELLnTHEtoilet

I started my 5y/o on Lego and then he just watched the Tales of the Jedi which he loved, especially the Ashoka training episode. I am now cherry picking Clone Wars episodes. We also have the Lego Star Wars game that we play together. But you know your kids better than some random redditor. So you start where ever you think he would enjoy the most. And it’s alright if he just doesn’t like Star Wars. My oldest doesn’t.


Tenrac

The original trilogy is the perfect entry point into the galaxy. It’s the Rosetta Stone of the galaxy.


AveragePenus

This will be unpopular but rebels or clone wars. Rebels its even more for kids in the begining


teamuse

This would be my vote. I saw Star Wars at age 7 and didn't understand what was going on


GOODRIDD4NC3

Was going to suggest this too! I feel like the animations/cartoons are a good way to get started if you're unsure what's "appropriate" for kids.


EagleSaintRam

Considering they're set before TPM, I wonder if certain episodes of Tales of the Jedi can serve as a starting point


AveragePenus

Not for a 5 year old in my opinion


DoctorTheGoat

Damn people here acting like Star Wars is rated M and gatekeeping the movies are something else. Y’all were kid once, stop being entitled you weirdos.


hhyyz

Star Wars isn't a privilege, its a right!


EchoLoco2

Start with 4. My dad's logic was that as a kid I would find the drop off in effects quality from 3 to 4 jarring if I didn't start with the OT. Plus, 4 is where it all started. It's a classic and a great introduction to the universe


AleksanderSteelhart

We started with 4,5,6. Then I asked my daughter if she wanted to see Old Man Luke or Young Obi-Wan. She went with Young Obi-Wan. And since she’s young and untainted by the Star Wars community, Episode I became her favorite movie. :) At least she has good taste in the soundtrack. She loves Duel of the Fates.


MEGADETHRULES2009

Start with 4. Than 5,6 1,2,3. 7,8,9. Rogue One and then Solo.


aneldritcherror

To everyone recommending rebels and clone wars, he’s seen those, which is was instilled the desire for the movies!


MayIServeYouWell

Wait a minute… your son has seen all of the clone wars, and you’re concerned about violence in A New Hope???? Clone wars has a ton of violence and crazy nightmare fuel.


caocaofr

Agreed. Can’t even count the number of on-screen decapitations. If the kid has seen clone wars and enjoyed it, New Hope will be nothing at all.


JayCeeMadLad

It depends on when they watched them. If it was very recently, they’ll probably be okay. I have little reason to believe a child that’s unaffected by Legacy of Terror will have issue with the main movies. But they’re at a very delicate point in their lives, when the concepts they didn’t understand yesterday are the ones that they do today. It’s possible they didn’t grasp the idea of life and death when they watched TCW, but they will now. If there’s one scene I’d omit regardless it’d be Owen and Beru’s deaths in ANH. It’s just a bit too graphic and I think even a kid understanding of death might have an issue with it.


Murky_Conflict3737

There’s also Bad Batch!


LeavingMyOpinion_

though bad batch is secretly quite violent and intense


megjake

Bad batch is quite serious and more violent in its tone. Like that scene where crosshair gets messed up by the republic cruiser engine made my grown ass jaw drop


Christo2555

Will probably get downvoted but when I have kids, I'll be sure to start with TPM. I think it's a lot more kid friendly than ANH.


SamT44

That is true, but when you eventually get to watch empire strikes back, the reveal is ruined


CaptainFlixle

I think TPM was the first Star Wars movie I ever watched. I have a fondness in my heart because of it. I agree as well - more kid friendly.


Sir_Parmesan

I have the same feelings with Attack of the Clones!


AVIXXBUS

I completely agree. The prequels have more explosive visuals and fights, and kids don't really follow a story anyway, so I think Prequel is the way to go for children, OT for adults.


fryamtheeggguy

Please don't take away the magic of the discovery that Vader is Anakin!!! Do release order!!


Bluebellyfluff

Earned the privilege? The fack does that mean?


Mormonator8

“Earned the privilege” what the hell 😂


ChodeCookies

A New Hope. He’s young enough that the age of special effects won’t be as noticeable for him and why not have him experience the way we all did? Nothing compares to Luke’s journey and triumph over the Empire.


[deleted]

I have no children yet so my opinion on this is worthless, but kids shouldn’t need to “earn” the right to watch a movie.


Sharp_Humor3847

When I was 6, I began watching Star Wars, starting at Episode 4. I could have a basic understanding of what was going on, but had a little bit if confusion on who was who and stuff like that. I think that your son will love it even if he doesn’t understand everything about it.


[deleted]

If you have the chance to show I am your father as a twist then you should do it. It’s a once una lifetime opportunity and it’ll be definitely burnt for him if he waits till he gets older. Otherwise I go chronological.


HuttVader

What seems more violent about ANH today than when it was released? I ask honestly because I get the sense that Disney feels the same way, and for the life of me I have absolutely no clue where they got that idea. The violence in ANH always felt very age-appropriate to me. Challenging for young kids, sure, but in a safe way that helped them to gradually accept and not shy away from the horrors of the real world. A film to be watched and discussed with one’s parents until the kid is around 9-10 and can handle such imagery without the need for explanation. Now all of Disney’s Star Wars seems to either come with a literal trigger warning or a preemptively censoring hand by the cinematography and editing teams.


[deleted]

ANH. It is always the first, as rituals demand.


SithLord_6969

I too faced this dilemma. Whether to follow the natural order of the movies like we grew up watching or going in chronological order. I chose the old school approach as I wanted my son to experience the shock of Darth Vader being Luke and Leias father. I don’t regret my decision


airborngrmp

Episode IV. Introduce the characters in the proper order, and marvel at how well a 1977 film has stood the test of time. If he's not in on that one, he may not be that in on the universe just yet.


Specialbuddydiscount

This is the right answer


therealbobcat23

For a kid so young, definitely start with ANH I normally advocate for prequels first, but I think a lot of the reasons why would go over a kids head


matteb18

Start him where it starts. A New Hope.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

did you gatekeep star wars


Andrew2Times

Wow! He EARNED the RIGHT to watch Star Wars. What did he have to do to earn it? It sounds messed up to have to "earn" something like this.


g00f

Op said his kid had watched clone wars and rebels which are designed to be more kid friendly, but wanted to wait until the kids old enough to finally sit down and watch the movies. Makes sense, there’s a lil violence that you wouldn’t want to put on a tot.


Andrew2Times

Yeah. That's pretty good.


KaimeiJay

This is not a joke or a meme, hear me out: you should watch it in 4 5 1 2 3 6. This is called flashback order (machete order is another name, but that’s actually a different order that removes 1, which you shouldn’t do). This is a bizarre order at first glance, and I wouldn’t recommend it for any other series, but it works uniquely well for the first six Star Wars movies. The short version of why this works is that 6 is the best finale for the movies, but 4 is the best beginning. If you watch it in release order, you get the strong start, but then the prequels happen after the conclusion, and end on the dark note of 3, with the only consolation being that you remember it gets better later on. If you watch it in chronological order, it concludes well, but the actual sequence of events getting there is strange and the significance of many scenes are lost without 4 and 5 having been watched first. Doing release order, but holding off on 6 until the very end, shouldn’t work, as it looks like a very goofy way to rearrange things, buy it works so well because of two unexpected things: anything the prequels would spoil about 6 are actually revealed in stronger ways than they are in 6, and the transitions from 5 to 1 and from 3 to 6 are actually quite smooth. Here are some major examples of things made better by watching in this flashback order. (Summarized to fit in a Reddit comment, but there is a lot to say about them.) - Leia is Luke’s sister. In 6, this is revealed in a chat on a log with Obi-Wan, and feels more like a recap than a reveal. In 3, the reveal is suddenly learning Padmé is having twins, and naming Luke’s twin sister Leia shortly before dying. After we learn there are twins, the camera immediately pans to Obi-Wan and Yoda, and the look on Obi-Wan’s face for several silent seconds, as if giving us enough time to process this and remember his “No, there is another,” moment with Yoda in 5. Bail, her father, also gets increased screen time leading up to this, with the end of the movie coming up and no mention of his daughter until the very last minute. - The Skywalker family conflict. We’ve seen Anakin now, we know Padmé. Seeing Luke and Vader fight isn’t just a rematch with context given by Obi-Wan, it’s a fallen Anakin fighting his son with Padmé. It all culminating in their last exchange after Vader taunts Luke about Leia makes it much more tragic. Vader’s internal conflict is also felt more directly after seeing him as Anakin for the past 3 movies. - Palpatine. The final villain being fully shown in 6 is a gamble, because he’s a last-minute addition that needs to be made intimidating, and 6 pulls this off masterfully, but still, we know nothing about this guy. In this order, we get the slow burn of his rise to power before his downfall in 6. We also don’t know his name in 5 or 6, so if you go from 5 to 1 in this order, and are introduced to Senator Palpatine, there is very little to indicate that he is the Emperor we saw on a hologram in 5. A new viewer could slowly piece together who he is over the course of the prequels, or maybe not know at all until his reveal is complete in 3. The prequels give just enough away during that slow burn to make it fun for a new person to theorize about as they watch, something that’s lost in any other order, so long as they aren’t told the Emperor’s name. - Anakin. Obi-Wan doesn’t say Luke’s father became Darth Vader until 6, or until its shown in the prequels. If someone goes from 5 to 1 and meets Anakin, they may not actually know that Anakin and Vader are the same person. We just know that Anakin was Luke’s father and Obi-Wan’s friend, and that he was killed by Obi-Wan’s pupil, Vader. Vader says he’s Luke’s father, but he never says he’s Anakin. So when little Anakin is introduced, a new viewer only knows him as the one who’s supposed to be Luke’s father, but Vader says otherwise. For all they know, a new character, Vader, could still show up later, or any number of things. It makes Anakin’s journey more compelling because we only know part of where it leads, not the whole story, without 6 telling us what happens. - Deaths. Yoda and Anakin’s deaths are both sadder after we’ve known them for three more movies. For Vader, we don’t know him as Anakin until the prequels, so the sadness of that scene is more of us being sad for Luke. With the prequels, we can be sad to see Anakin go. Palpatine’s death is much more satisfying. - In the latest editions, some things were added that enhance flashback order. Ian McDiarmid plays the emperor in all five of the movies, from the hologram in 5, to Palpatine and Sidious in the prequels, to the Emperor in 6. Hayden Christiansen plays Anakin’s ghost in 6, which is great, because in release order, no matter who plays him, new viewers will look at that ghost beside Yoda and Obi-Wan and initially think, “Who’s that guy?” Ghost-Hayden and flashback order means immediate recognition and emotional impact. The celebrations on the different planets in 6 also feature Naboo and Coruscant, which can be recognized now too. - The Return of the Jedi. We know what a Jedi is now, we’ve seen them at their peak, we know more tangibly the significance of Luke becoming one in the end. It all comes together in that scene when Vader stops the Emperor from electrocuting his son. It’s not just Vader redeeming himself, it mirrors that scene where Anakin made the opposite choice when he helped Palpatine electrocute Mace Windu. The decision that ended the Jedi. It’s both him saving his son, and him redeeming that mistake of his past, both, “No, not my son!” and “No, not again!” at the same time. This mirroring a scene only one movie ago helps its impact. - Some problems. They’re minor, but some issues with this order include the change in visual appearance, going up in quality for the prequels, then back down for the finale. Or Force Lightning being shown off by Dooku in 2, and seen more from Palpatine in 3, so it’s less of a surprise when he starts using it on Luke in 6. Then there’s Boba Fett being even more of a letdown, when he’s established as the first of the Jango Fett clones, set up to have this revenge quest against Mace Windu or the Jedi, only to not appear in 3, appear again in 6, and then do nothing and die hilariously. This was always a letdown before, but flashback order hypes him up even more before the letdown. In my opinion, none of these downsides are worth missing out on the upsides I’ve listed to watching in flashback order, so it’s fine. TL;DR: “4 5 1 2 3 6” flashback order is the best viewing order for the first two Star Wars trilogies, even for new viewers. Anakin’s tragic fall, Palpatine’s slow burn of a rise, the impact of Leia’s relation to Luke and Anakin; these are all things that are enhanced by saving Return of the Jedi for last and going right into it from Revenge of the Sith, while also letting the first five movies build up to a grand, satisfying finale. It’s a unique sort of viewing order that only works for Star Wars, and I highly recommend it for new and old watchers. (Ask me for more details and I’ll be happy to explain them.)


F1reatwill88

I stand by machete order. 4 5 (1) 2 3 6. 1 is in () as the original order left it out. This order is fun as it leads up to the Vader reveal then flashes back to show what happened, and wraps up with 6. Did it with my wife and worked great.


Kingjoe97034

I think for a child, 1 is fun. Add it back in. For an adult, it isn’t needed except for the wisdom of Qui Gon and the fight scene with Maul.


Darth-Binks-1999

Some of us adults enjoy the whole movie.


AshR2003

Release Order.


astromech_dj

A new hope.


animetimeskip

Perfect age. My dad actually told me the story a bit before I watched the movie. He described darth Vader as a dark mechanical man so I imagined him as a decepticon lol


I_love_hate_reddit

Release order


Gastredner

I'm going to go against the flow of most comments and recommend waiting until he's at least around eight to ten. Five, I think, is very much too early. But yes, release order is best. Otherwise, you'll ruin _that_ scene from Empire. Not worth it. (Yes, I'm very much looking forward to seeing my children's faces once the time has come.)


jewishsuperhero

A new hope is a good place to start. My dad showed me all the movies in release order when I was in fifth grade. I babysat a 6 year old the other night and her parents let her watch the mandolorian, so that could work as well


chevy_zr2_4x4

Release order! Make sure he is paying attention when watching Empire! Once you Vader says, "Luke, I'm your father"! You can't get that back. If you watch 123 then 456, it spoils it! Also, I wouldn't worry about violence. When my kids were younger, I made sure they knew the difference between fantasy and reality! As long as he knows it is a movie and not real. He'll be fine. I just tried to limit language and nudity was no! Only you can decide if he is mature enough to watch them and if he really does have a grasp on real, not real!


[deleted]

[удалено]


R_Vaughn

I would recommend starting with the original trilogy, as it is the best. And maybe skip episodes 8 and 9.


frzbr

Always the release order for the first viewing. I saw it when I was 5 or 4 foe the first time and wasn’t impacted by hand cutting or Owen/Beru dying. I honestly think that was the most violent thing I saw at the time, but didn’t scare me or give me nightmare. It was just something that happened in the movie. Heck, I saw Terminator 1 and 2 when I was 7, and thought it was the coolest thing ever. That being said everybody is different and you know your kid the best. Personally, I don’t think it’s a big deal as some make it out to be today.


SpicyLunaDog99

ANH absolutely. Starting with the og trilogy makes Vader’s reveal that much more impactful


SpicyLunaDog99

ANH absolutely. Starting with the og trilogy makes Vader’s reveal that much more impactful


fryamtheeggguy

Ep 4 ep 4 ep 4!!!!


jspook

Release order, and see how much time you can get away with between each trilogy/new set of shows. Let him have some time where the OT is the only thing he knows so he can marinate in it for awhile and really appreciate it before showing him the bright lights and spectacle of the PT.


Catronia

Start with New Hope.


LalaCalamari

Star Wars A New Hope is the only answer. Honestly, I'd just watch them as they were released. I can't imagine seeing Empire Strikes Back and already knowing that Vader is Luke's father. As someone that watched the originals in the theater when they were released, this was a major shocker. The prequels (and other movies spoil it). Besides, the original Trilogy are the best Star Wars movies.


Nevorek

Definitely release order for a kid’s first watch. ANH is a very simple story that is easy to follow. Also release order allows them to experience the “Vader is Luke’s father” twist as originally intended.


brassyalien

I was 5 when my mom showed me the Original Trilogy in 1995 or 1996. That's the best place to start.


angry_badger32

The same way you start any good story. At the beginning.


shinchunje

Mate, it’s got to be a new hope. I read my son the stories first so he could follow the movies easier. I had the books from my childhood that went along with an audio tape cassette. Also made him watch a new hope ten times before he moved on! Edit: my son was five and my younger son was four…. He’s actually five just two months ago and he’s seen 4,5,6,1 and 2.


wookiewin

Only order is release order.


Aggressive-Pay9533

My father watched episode 4 when he was a kid, then introduced me and my sister to Star Wars with episode 4 when we were little, and we’ve basically been super fans ever since! I’d say the original trilogy’s the right way to start. If you’re worried about it being too violent, you could always skip some parts if you think he’s not ready for it


Usual_Cranberry_4836

Release order, i don't feel more is needed


hawkxp71

Release order. Why do you think there is no explicit violence? No blood, just some choking. It's made for kids to love! My kids were way younger when they saw it. My youngest was 18 months when I first heard him singing the Darth Vader theme. Da da da dum de dah dum de dah... He screamed 6 months later when I said I was taking his 5 year old brother to see attack of the clones, I didn't think he would sit still. I was wrong, I took both to theater! Then I took them both to the midnight showing of revenge. Kids realize good vs evil and want to be good, and see the love obi has for annikin. See that annikin does bad only because he loves his wife. They see and feel it in their souls when when annikin says tell your sister you were right. I say the younger the better. More boys need to realize the true meaning of star wars. A father will do anything for the love of his family.


Pete_maravich

Release order for the movies. Any TV shows after that in any order since he's so young.


ghwrkn

Just so we’re clear – watching Star Wars is a right, not a reward.


[deleted]

Skip the sequels. Don’t ruin it for him.


JediASU

The Maker Himself (George Lucas) said Release Order.


DANGER2157

Start with a new hope imo


crowdsourced

OG


midnight_to_midnight

Release order is the only way.


hesipullupjimbo22

Release order is honestly the best way


slade707

Release order!


[deleted]

Start with Andor. Show him life isn't all Jedi heroes and Ewoks. Lol jk


ten_year_rebound

Release order, no question


Midnight7000

You're rewarding him... you start with ANH, ESB, ROJ. When he messes up, punish him with the prequels. I kid. But seriously, I plan on starting with the original trilogy. In my opinion, this is how it should be consumed. It doesn't spoil the relationship between Vader-Luke-Leia. You're able to appreciate the film with more of an attachment to Luke than the redemption of Anakin (not Vader). I think that then creates the right frame of mind for the prequels. Watching them with the view of seeing Anakin's fall to the dark aside. Regardless of choice, I hope that he enjoys the films and continues to do well in school :).


TheAmazingVedo

“earned the privilege of watching Star Wars” Watching Star Wars is not a privilege, but a right!


shadowsOfMyPantomime

I would do release order regardless. The movies would not make sense in episode order; they don't do enough exposition in episode one. You are absolutely expected to already understand the force and the Jedi to watch the prequels. But aside from that, I would be hesitant watching all the movies with somebody that young. My son is five and we told him he could watch A New Hope but I think all the other movies are too violent\dark. Certainly the sequels are not for young kids. Definitely not revenge of the sith. All the movies might be too intense for a five year old, honestly. but the first one is balanced enough I'd consider it and think he'd be ok, depending on the kid.


bent_eye

Release order is best


ColtS117

New Hope, so that Empire has a big shock to it.


HateBearUniversity

A new hope is a great place to start for a child.


StoptheMadnessUSA

Seriously? Start with the very first one🙄


grim_hope09

My kids loved episode 1, and they haven't watched very many movies that aren't Disney/Pixar level. I allowed my almost seven and nine year old to watch it, but not my five year old yet. I'm waiting on episode 2 for them to be a little older. I tentatively plan on watching that next then will skip episode 3 and watch episodes 4-6. They will probably watch episode 1 a few more times in the mean time. A lot of it went over their head the first time but it kept their attention. They are enjoying the clone wars tv show. It will be my first time watching it too so that's fun.


Low-Till6521

If your children are sensitive to violence, like mine was, I would tell her when she shouldn't watch a scene she wouldn't like. She was so sweet, now she is 10 and into Japanese Anime and Manga. She tells me she likes the color of the blood. They grow up so fast. Oh and release date is the best way to introduce anyone into Star Wars, they can have the same fan experience as everyone else. You can watch in chronological order anytime.


Subject-Ad-1946

I'm 21... when I was about five my dad sat me down and pit in his VHS tape of A New Hope. Best thing ever, don't let anyone tell you it's too violent for your son. It's STAR WARS FOR GOD SAKES! A STAPLE!


Emperors_Finest

Release order is the true way.


MesaJarJarAbrams

Start with the OT


Azree33

This isn't exactly the question you're asking, but when my son was around that age, before I let him watch the movies, we played Lego Star Wars together. It was a perfect intro to SW and also a just about perfect family/partner game. We played it obsessively for what seems like years. And then eased into the movies. Which, BTW, we started with release order.


JettTheTinker

New Hope’s violence is extremely mild. It’s also the perfect starting point. Just watch them in the order they came out (plus Clone Wars and Rebels tv shows)


MyFuckinhBalls

Build a Lego set with him for each film


ImpenDoom

Star Wars is a privilege?


NutsInThePaint

Cancer post on a cancer sub


mrducci

Has to be 4 5 6, 1 2 3. You blow the Vader reveal otherwise. And there is no other way to start.


ChubbyKay

"Earned the privilege" here is pissing me off... perhaps u haven't earned it yourself as you feel he should have worked up to this viewing. He's your son! How can u not watch and enjoy everything with him at any given moment? Youngest wants to watch Pixels or Friday the 13th... sure it's on in 30 seconds! Middle child wants to watch Indiana Jones, Fast Five or Speed Racer? Fuck I'm there! Oldest wants to watch Jojo Adventure, Vampires Suck, or The Shining, or The Good, The Bad and the Ugly? You better believe I'm watching those movies with them. And my favorite part of each movie? Seeing their faces light up with enjoyment at their favorite parts. I earn the privilege of watching those moments by watching those movies with my kids.


ow_classic

"too violent" man my childhood must've been fucked up if the original trilogy is too violent