# At what age, and in what order, should one introduce kids to "Star Wars"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967 "2016-12-31T16:10:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/21 "2017-01-02T19:19:02Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > As for age: I took my oldest son to see the first SW movie when it came out in 1977. He was six years old and loved it. I remember him walking back to the car with his elbows stuck out, pretending to be C3PO. My parents also took me to see it when it came out in 1977. I recommend a child be older than six weeks old when you show it to them. Apparently I wasn’t \*at all \*impressed, and this was one of the biggest reasons my family got cable the summer my brother was born 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/22 "2017-01-02T22:27:59Z")
[QUOTE=SlackerInc] That in and of itself is an interesting question to chew on, as I imagine most parents who are big SW fans do not wait as long as I’d think best. [/QUOTE] Really hoping the OP is an Onion parody. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/23 "2017-01-02T23:08:14Z")
I think I must have waited too long. My daughter just turned 12 and loves sci-fi books and has seen some movies, though not a lot. She made it through about 15 minutes and asked if maybe we could watch it some other time which I know is her polite way of saying she was bored with it. I picked 4 which is I guess the first one? I don’t know a thing about Star Wars. I saw it when I was a kid but I never saw more than the original. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/24 "2017-01-02T23:37:33Z")
Just have them watch the movies in the order most of us saw them, and don’t worry about skipping the “crappy ones”. Kids don’t have the same taste adults do. I remember liking a lot of TV shows and movies that I now know were absolute shit. (“Small Wonder” anyone?) Just let them watch and enjoy FFS. > [@jz78817](#): > > if your goal is to try to get them to enjoy Star Wars in the manner you want them to enjoy it, I daresay you’ll probably fail. If anything, they’ll end up hating the entire franchise. I mean, you might as well have them write an essay after each movie. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/25 "2017-01-03T00:37:59Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > So, really, there’s no question being asked here in this thread? You just want us to all know what you’ve decided. I think my OP was pretty clear, especially once you get to the numbered points at the end. “This is what I advocate; feel free to tell me why I am wrong and/or argue for your own curation and order”. Pretty standard type of OP, I thought–but you seem surprisingly flummoxed by it for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/26 "2017-01-03T00:49:05Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I think my OP was pretty clear, especially once you get to the numbered points at the end. “This is what I advocate; feel free to tell me why I am wrong and/or argue for your own curation and order”. Pretty standard type of OP, I thought–but you seem surprisingly flummoxed by it for some reason. Sorry, when someone phrases the title of a thread as a question, with a question mark and everything-- **At what age, and in what order, should one introduce kids to “Star Wars”?** – I assume the person is looking for some input/suggestions. Pretty standard. But if you just want to let us know what you’ve decided to do and how serious you take it all, that’s super too. Wonderful thread and best of luck with everything. Sorry for soiling your thread with my being so flummoxed. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/27 "2017-01-03T00:52:24Z")
So you only read the title and not the OP? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/28 "2017-01-03T00:57:50Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > So you only read the title and not the OP? So you don’t really want to know opinions about what age and in what order one should introduce kids to “Star Wars?” ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/29 "2017-01-03T01:17:11Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > So you don’t really want to know opinions about what age and in what order one should introduce kids to “Star Wars?” Sure I do. I welcome the debate. Just as I thought was clear in my OP. I also posted another OP with my top 10 songs of 2016, in which I invited others to offer their own nominees. I didn’t think anyone would expect me to change my mind about what I originally chose, though. But sure, based on just the title, one might think it possible that a thread with this title could be from someone saying “Huh, I just can’t decide: what should I do?” Buut…then reading the OP should clarify things, or so I thought. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/30 "2017-01-03T01:19:47Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I think my OP was pretty clear, especially once you get to the numbered points at the end. “This is what I advocate; feel free to tell me why I am wrong and/or argue for your own curation and order”. Pretty standard type of OP, I thought–but you seem surprisingly flummoxed by it for some reason. we’re not “flummoxed.” you want to try to force your kids to enjoy Star Wars in exactly the same way you did. that is a fruitless endeavor. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/31 "2017-01-03T01:27:54Z")
I’m happy to debate that point. I always intended this to be like a friendly (and ultimately inconsequential) barroom debate over peanuts and PBR. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/32 "2017-01-03T01:40:42Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I get that. I was once one of those who rated ESB highest of all. But I see more problems with it now, and none of its dangling threads are wrapped up to my satisfaction. I certainly don’t want my kids to see _Return of the Jedi_ if I can help it–I still think that’s the worst SW movie of all (yes, even worse than _Phantom Menace_). I now think it should be “blow up the Death Star, award the medals (even if Chewie is unfairly left out), yay, happily ever after, the end”. I used to feel as you did but I’ve come full circle as you will see. For a 6yo, I would recommend just SW. No trilogy. No clone this or that. And, oh yeah, it would be an idealized SW. A remastered version where Han shots first. Hell, Han shoots _ **only** _! Any 6yo relative of mine (and it would have to be a nephew once removed at this point) that does not get the simple morality of Solo’s actions in that scene as originally filmed would have me worrying about whether s/he was a truly a blood relative. So that’s it. SW is fine for a 6yo. Straight forward, self-contained story. Wookies, not Ewoks. No need for two more movies so they can blow up another Death Star. One movie! All you need! ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/33 "2017-01-03T01:44:11Z")
I don’t introduce movies. Kids are pretty good at informing parents what they want to see. If they wanted to see Star Wars, fine. Makes sense to start with episode 1. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/34 "2017-01-03T01:54:05Z")
Are we presuming the tikes are familiar “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell? Otherwise: Star Wars (A New Hope) “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” in however many bedtime readings as it takes. Then the original trilogy. Publish their essays on Star Wars Then they are free to see the movies from PM to RotJ. Publish an addendum of any new insights if necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/35 "2017-01-03T02:05:27Z")
I don’t own I, II, or III so I doubt my kid will see them until she happens to have a friend that likes the movie. I doubt that I’ll do a planned watching order for my kid as much as I watch IV, V, VI at least once a year and I’m sure she’ll be in the room over the years. Of course we’ll add in Rouge of One and at least VII to our annual watching so I’m sure she’ll see them in order multiple times. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/36 "2017-01-03T02:17:03Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > Any 6yo relative of mine (and it would have to be a nephew once removed at this point) that does not get the simple morality of Solo’s actions in that scene as originally filmed would have me worrying about whether s/he was a truly a blood relative. Plus, how could they possibly understand what Luke does later in the movie? I mean, _firing before the Death Star does?_ How _dare_ he? ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/37 "2017-01-03T02:33:46Z")
I know it’s heresy but the Prequels play really well to many little kids. It’s silly to ignore them. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/38 "2017-01-03T03:07:48Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > I used to feel as you did but I’ve come full circle as you will see. > > For a 6yo, I would recommend just SW. No trilogy. No clone this or that. And, oh yeah, it would be an idealized SW. A remastered version where Han shots first. Hell, Han shoots _ **only** _! > > Any 6yo relative of mine (and it would have to be a nephew once removed at this point) that does not get the simple morality of Solo’s actions in that scene as originally filmed would have me worrying about whether s/he was a truly a blood relative. > > So that’s it. SW is fine for a 6yo. Straight forward, self-contained story. Wookies, not Ewoks. No need for two more movies so they can blow up another Death Star. One movie! All you need! This is a solid argument. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/39 "2017-01-03T03:14:42Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I know it’s heresy but the Prequels play really well to many little kids. It’s silly to ignore them. Why does “play really well to little kids” count in their favor? Isn’t that the same as saying they are really dumbed-down and juvenile? The beauty of the original _Star Wars_ is that it appealed to such a wide range of ages without so blatantly pandering to the youngest part of the audience. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/40 "2017-01-03T03:41:52Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Sure I do. I welcome the debate. Just as I thought was clear in my OP. I also posted another OP with my top 10 songs of 2016, in which I invited others to offer their own nominees. I didn’t think anyone would expect me to change my mind about what I originally chose, though. > > But sure, based on just the title, one might think it possible that a thread with this title could be from someone saying “Huh, I just can’t decide: what should I do?” Buut…then reading the OP should clarify things, or so I thought. Reading the OP makes me think that you are bent on turning what ought to be a fun watch with space wizards and laser princesses for a couple of little kids into some sort of exalted sacrament with yourself as High Priest: if the liturgy is read in the wrong order, the ceremony won’t be valid. Just let your kids enjoy being kids. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967.md?page=3)