# 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:** 3
**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, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/41 "2017-01-03T03:52:26Z")
Ideally, this would replace _Revenge of the Sith_ in my lineup: > **[Topher Grace Edited The 'Star Wars' Prequels Into One 85-Minute Movie And We...](https://www.slashfilm.com/520125/topher-grace-edited-star-wars-prequels-85minute-movie/)** > > Last month I received a cryptic e-mail inviting me to a private screening of a new Star Wars film edited by Topher Grace. ---
**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 3, 2017, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/42 "2017-01-03T06:46:34Z")
> [@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. I read the OP. And I based my reply on what I thought of it. If you have a problem with that, too bad. Star Wars is a freaking _movie_, not a religion. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/43 "2017-01-03T07:43:22Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > 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** _! Anyone who shows their child a version where Greedo shoots first is a terrible, terrible, truly terrible parent. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/44 "2017-01-03T11:27:19Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > 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. I think Kurosawa’s “The Hidden Fortress” should be in there somewhere. ---
**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, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/45 "2017-01-03T17:46:46Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I read the OP. And I based my reply on what I thought of it. If you have a problem with that, too bad. Star Wars is a freaking _movie_, not a religion. I think it’s funny that I’m taking this shot over and over. On other Star Wars threads in this board (Cafe Society), there are people including mods who are so encyclopedic in their SW knowledge from reading countless books, they can cite (or at least argue) the backstory of every character who’s ever appeared, get into discussions of whether something is canon (apparently, a bunch of stuff from an “Expanded Universe” was de-canonized?), etc. Whereas I’ve never read any of these books, never saw the TV cartoons, never played a SW game. I’ve just seen these eight movies. And the only ones I’ve seen more than once, even, are the original _Star Wars_ and _The Empire Strikes Back_ (neither of which I’ve seen in years). That’s a pretty thin basis to call it my religion, I’d say. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/46 "2017-01-03T19:13:00Z")
Just to give some specific facts: The only Star Wars movie my 7 year old son has seen is The Force Awakens. Because it’s the only one we have on DVD. ---
**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, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/47 "2017-01-03T19:19:11Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Just to give some specific facts: The only Star Wars movie my 7 year old son has seen is The Force Awakens. Because it’s the only one we have on DVD. I’m not a big fan of that movie, but it would probably play better if it’s the only one you’ve seen (as it’s so derivative). ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/48 "2017-01-03T19:38:02Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I read the OP. And I based my reply on what I thought of it. If you have a problem with that, too bad. Star Wars is a freaking _movie_, not a religion. I find your lack of faith… disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/49 "2017-01-03T19:46:49Z")
> [@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. Finally, someone who agrees with me about that. I walked out of the theater feeling that nothing really happened in that movie – it was just a bridge between the first and the third. Never understood why so many people insist that it’s the best. (Yeah, yeah, “I am your father.” Anyone who’s read Jack Kirby’s Fourth World saw that coming.) > [@](#): > > 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 Well, there we disagree. The first is still the best for me (and the only one I’ve seen more than twice), but RotJ was the most fun of all (yes, I admit that I like the Ewoks) and a satisfying conclusion to the franchise. But then, I’m primarily a Trek guy, so what do I know? ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/50 "2017-01-03T19:49:32Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > From age 7 or 8. > > IV - A New Hope > V - Empire Strikes Back > I - Phantom Menace > II - Attack Of The Clones > Clone Wars, CG Animated > III - Revenge of the Sith > VI - Return of the Jedi > > Rebels > Rogue One > VII - The Force Awakens > etc > > There’s no need to pretend the prequels don’t exist, and at that age they will love them. I agree with your list - though I’d leave out Phantom Menace. It really adds nothing to the series. At least II and III give the back story of how Anakin becomes Vader. There used to be “Anti-cheese” edits of the prequels on youtube. They were great to watch. Kept the story, made the movies interesting, but took out the crap - I see they’ve been removed due to copyright issues. Not sure if they exist by any legitimate means anymore. ---
**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, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/51 "2017-01-03T20:35:55Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > I find your lack of faith… disturbing. LMAO! That is an awesome quip. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/52 "2017-01-03T21:21:28Z")
By happy coincidence my family—including two kids aged 9 and 12—is going through the series right now. We started with episode I and moved forward from there. To me, it’s sort of like reading _The Chronicles of Narnia_ or _Harry Potter_: they make the most sense when consumed in the order they take place in their own fictional universe. As evidenced by this thread there is significant debate on that point, but since we’re talking about the kids and not me, why jump around? Let them watch all of them and then make up their own minds about which is their favorite. Frankly, I agree with **standingwave** : the original Star Wars (ep. IV) is really the only one that stands on its own so if either start—and end—with ep. IV or start at the beginning and go forward chronologically. We have yet to watch Return Of The Jedi or The Force Awakens, and none of us have seen Rogue One yet. But I have no doubt that if we do another Star Wars marathon those two will be watched in the order they take place in the SW universe (i.e., Rogue One will be between eps. III and IV, The Force Awakens will be after Return of the Jedi). Of course, I’ve never been a huge fan of the series—the first time I watched them was just a few years ago and when I posted here that I thought they were fairly mediocre films I was nearly pitted. They’ve grown on me somewhat since then but I still don’t understand the adoration they have. But to this question my opinions of the films don’t matter, my kids’ does. They seem to agree with me that they like them in sequential order. So to the OP, that’s my vote: ep. I, II, III, RO, IV, V, VI, VII. This of course assumes that the kids in question are old enough to handle III (the most violent of the series IMO). If not, let ‘em watch the original Star Wars and be done with it. ---
**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, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/53 "2017-01-03T21:37:02Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > By happy coincidence my family—including two kids aged 9 and 12—is going through the series right now. > > We started with episode I and moved forward from there. To me, it’s sort of like reading _The Chronicles of Narnia_ or _Harry Potter_: they make the most sense when consumed in the order they take place in their own fictional universe. Does this mean “Fabulous Beasts” comes first in the Harry Potter series then? ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/54 "2017-01-04T01:47:15Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Does this mean “Fabulous Beasts” comes first in the Harry Potter series then? I haven’t seen the movie or read the book but as I understand it the story takes place in the early 20th century so it certainly would make sense to watch it before the actual Harry Potter series, assuming you haven’t seen any of the films and plan on watching them all, including Fantastic Beasts. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/55 "2017-01-04T02:12:06Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > 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. If the question is “When should I show little kids Star Wars?” I would say it counts in their favor. ---
**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 4, 2017, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/56 "2017-01-04T02:13:34Z")
Huh, that’s definitely different from my approach but I understand your logic. I guess you prefer the “Godfather Saga” TV version that shows the flashbacks from _Godfather II_ first? ---
**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 4, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/57 "2017-01-04T02:15:05Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > If the question is “When should I show little kids Star Wars?” I would say it counts in their favor. Not necessarily, because you could answer “not until they are no longer little kids”. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/58 "2017-01-04T02:53:23Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > (1) _Star Wars_ (“A New Hope”, if you must). > > (2) Repeat (1) a few times over a year or more. > > (3) \*Revenge of the Sith \*(maybe finding a way to skip the super cheesy Vader “Noooo!”). > > (4) _Rogue One_. > > (5) That’s it. The end. None of the other films are even whispered about (they can find out about them on their own at some point). Goodnight, Gracie! > > All right, get those ripe tomatoes ready for hurlin’. I’m ready! 🆒 Interesting…I assume that the intent is to teach your kids about the fundamentals of storytelling? You picked a film with well-developed characters and a mediocre plot (_Revenge_), a film with mediocre characters and a well-developed plot (_Rogue One_), and a film with well-developed characters and a well-developed plot (_Star Wars_). Useful for a compare-and-contrast, if nothing else. Unless there’s some other reason you picked the #1, #5, and #6-best films in an 8-film saga. ---
**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 4, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/59 "2017-01-04T03:27:30Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Unless there’s some other reason you picked the #1, #5, and #6-best films in an 8-film saga. For my taste, I picked the #1 (_Star Wars_), #2 (_Rogue One_), and #4 (_Revenge of the Sith_) best films in the saga, with a [huge drop in quality](http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?franchise=2&user=SlackerInc) between \*RotS \*and my #5, _The Force Awakens_. My #3, _The Empire Strikes Back_, is left out because it would be too much of a downer to end on, and it leaves all kinds of plot threads hanging which are not resolved well in _The Return of the Jedi_ (my #8). And it is really my strong dislike for \*RotJ \*that informs the whole project. If the movies (or even the original trilogy) were somehow stuck together, like \*RotJ \*was just the final reel of a really long movie, I’d just take a pass on wanting to show Star Wars movies to my kids at all. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967/60 "2017-01-04T03:31:22Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > (Yeah, yeah, “I am your father.” Anyone who’s read Jack Kirby’s Fourth World saw that coming.) I was seven. I wouldn’t encounter Jack Kirby for another six years. [When he showed up as a character in a Ninja Turtle comic.](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPeWaYo3J3E/TisdZ-zRYgI/AAAAAAAAGbQ/YUZpvhcR-Ew/s1600/Don02.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-and-in-what-order-should-one-introduce-kids-to-star-wars/775967.md?page=4)