r/StarWars • u/Zestyclose-Put-3828 Galactic Republic • 4h ago
If There’s One Movie to Show Someone to make them a Star Wars Fan, Which One Would It Be and Why? Movies
339
u/WhatIsASunAnyway Separatist Alliance 4h ago
Episode 4. If the original doesn't do it I don't know what would.
55
u/Nerfo2 2h ago
Bushes of Love?
21
u/NavySEAL44440 Tobias Beckett 2h ago
Seagulls as well
11
u/Nerfo2 2h ago edited 1h ago
Well, you couldn’t show them seagulls without first showing “it’s not a moon.”
Edit: Followed by “hostiles on the hill” THEN seagulls. They’re along for the ride at this point.
1
u/Shakakahn 27m ago
They've got the ultimate Power in the universe And before it gets better It's getting worse It's not a satellite But it can light up the sky When it blows (Oh-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-oh)
This is what I needed
9
6
4
5
u/xraig88 Kanan Jarrus 2h ago
Not if it’s a younger viewer though, they’d just think it’s super old and boring. I have tried a few times with younglings. I’ve had way more success starting with The Force Awakens, kids love Rey and Finn, a little older kids love Poe, teens seem to like Kylo. YMMV.
6
3
u/The_FriendliestGiant Jedi 2h ago
Yeah, if you're not going to start with ANH, TFA is the next best option. TPM is by far the weakest of the three trilogy openers to start a new fan with.
65
u/bobone77 3h ago
ANH no question.
•
u/JaSon_iS_ReJeKz 7m ago
Force Awakins is way better in my opinion. From graphics to acting and even sound effects. You can’t beat it.
87
72
u/Geshtar1 3h ago
A new hope. Not the best Star Wars film necessarily, but if they don’t like that one, there’s no point in wasting their time with any other media
37
u/Wookie301 3h ago
A New Hope. Worked for the entire franchise. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
4
u/Inner-Ad2847 1h ago
I’ve got a friend who I tried to get into it when we were maybe 15, and he found the originals really slow and boring, so I’m not sure if they appeal to younger audiences who didn’t grow up with them sadly
6
u/imakebreadidonteatit 1h ago
This is a major issue. I can’t watch any movie with my brother that requires him to actually pay attention. He will not watch dialogue heavy anything and it drives me nuts. I do that thing where I’m showing him something and he doesn’t react and I’m like but but did you see how this and this tie together. He’s like no lmao. I put on bad boys 2 because it’s dumb action which is great but he didn’t get that Gabrielle unions character was a cop
88
47
19
u/Michael_Gibb 3h ago
A New Hope.
It's where it all began, and it is what hooked so many of us in the first place.
38
u/stoneman9284 3h ago
A new Hope, definitely. Not only is it the best intro to Star Wars, it’s probably the best intro to any IP in movie history.
15
28
27
27
u/revchewie 3h ago
There’s no legitimate answer other than the original, Star Wars (known by some as A New Hope).
22
22
6
u/OCD_incarnate 3h ago
ANH is the best entry point imo. i love the prequels, but a lot of people find them tough to digest. TPM is seen by many as a slow film. it's the most watched movie on D+ because so many people start there and never end up finishing it, or moving on to other movies, sadly. personally, i think ROTS is the most impressive of the films and is a big reason the franchise has stayed with me
17
u/AT_Ichi 2h ago
Rogue One. It's a good sample run for someone before they commit to the universe. It's got everything a classic Star Wars story should have. The effects aren't going to be outdated for a modern audience. It's not as daunting as trying to start a 9 movie series. Afterwards, if the person enjoyed it, you can ask if they want to know how the story continues (OT and ST) or how we got there (PT).
1
•
u/JustiseWinfast 10m ago
Rogue one is insanely boring once you take out the recognizable imagery of the other movies, I wouldn’t go with this one
5
u/Galactic_Maverick 3h ago
When I was four, I watched the original trilogy, and I've been hooked ever since then. Episode IV is the way to go.
4
u/Odd_Potential_7203 2h ago
I’d say a new hope.
However for me it was revenge of the sith that got me hooked. My dad tried to get me into it with the originals but revenge of the sith was what did it.
8
u/Linflexible 3h ago
If he is young and never been to a theater, The Phantom Menace would do the trick, otherwise like others said Episode 4.
4
u/minerva_cc 3h ago
I agree with this, I think a younger viewer is more likely to click with phantom menace than a new hope.
0
u/Amity_Swim_School 40m ago
No freaking way dude. The original SW is storytelling at its best. It resonates with all ages. Watching Phantom Menace would bore them to absolute tears.
13
u/FJkookser00 3h ago
The two former trilogies have such incredibly different auras to them it's hard to say.
But truly, you should always stick with the original. Begin with A New Hope, like the whole world did. Even if you're like me and you love the Prequels' energy.
3
u/Evie_not_Eevee 2h ago
Limited to the Skywalker Saga - A New Hope. Generally in my experience though I've always shown Rogue One as a first time Star Wars film to non star wars fans and have always had good feedback.
4
3
2
u/ampacket 46m ago
Honestly? Today? The Force Awakens. Hear me out...
It's fun and flashy, charming and charismatic, exciting and thrilling, and most importantly it's enjoyable to just chill and watch.
As someone who married someone who had never seen any Star Wars movie start to finish in her life, it was fascinating seeing and hearing her reactions to the OT. A lot of "it's kind of slow" "it looks old" and importantly: "I see why it's a classic, but it's just too dated for me to probably want to watch again."
While it may come off as blasphemous, I can see where she's coming from. My daughter loves Rey and BB8, too. And almost no interest in Luke.
Maybe they'll like ANH, but just remember that they're not watching it with rose tinted nostalgia glasses like most of us. Even if it is a timeless classic.
6
u/lotsoflifeexperience 3h ago
Rogue One
6
1
u/F00dbAby 2h ago
This is my pick too. Not saying a new hope is a bad choice. But this is not a bad choice
3
u/GhostInThePudding 2h ago
The real question is, which version of Episode 4 to show them?
The despecialized edition? 4k77? Laserdisk? Something else?
1
1
u/HolyRamenEmperor 3h ago
For the cinematic pacing and content, I would go with Rogue One. Unfortunately it just doesn't matter as much on its own, even if it's the superior film.
1
1
u/gregmcph L3-37 2h ago
I did have the experience of my daughter finally watch New Hope after making a point not to for all her life, and surprising herself that it was actually pretty good.
1
u/eureka911 2h ago
As much as I like Empire Strikes Back, that movie makes no sense unless you've seen A New Hope. So start with Episode 4. Maybe Rogue One is an alternative. If he/she prefers a tv show, the Mandalorian is a good way to introduce the universe.
1
u/-CommanderShepardN7 2h ago
The first 6 movies will make you a fan, especially Revenge of the Sith, and Empire Strikes Back. The last 3 movies might kill an up and coming Star Wars fan, encouraging them to walk away to greener pastures. Star Trek….
1
1
u/beingbrettisfun 2h ago
Depends on the person- I started my wife on Phantom of the Menace because I needed the Anikan/Padme arc to get her invested enough to watch the original trilogy, without it I don’t know if she would’ve made it through ANH’s slower pacing and older effects.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Matthew728 2h ago
Episode 4 obviously. I mean there is a reason why Star Wars became a phenomenon. If you can’t appreciate the original then how can you like all the other surrounding stories
1
1
u/CapoPaulieWalnuts 2h ago
A younger person might find the 50 year old special effects of A New Hope almost laughable by today's standards.
I would go with Rogue One which is one of the best Star Wars movies and then flow naturally into a New Hope.
1
1
1
u/Scmods05 Luke Skywalker 2h ago
Star Wars is the only (arguably TPM too but up for debate) completely standalone one of the series. If you watch that and no others, you’re fine. You’ve seen a complete story.
So the answer is unquestionably that.
1
1
1
u/JollyRogerRabbyte 1h ago
My vote goes to Rogue One. It’s closer to the general populace’s perception of what a movie is. The modernness might help bring them in. Then I would show New Hope after.
1
1
u/Blackout_Underway 1h ago
The question is not "where should they start" it's "which one would make them a fan?"
My answer is Empire.
1
u/JcOvrthink 1h ago
Episode IV.
If you plan to watch them all, I recommend starting with Episode I, but if you can only watch one Star Wars movie in your life, it should be Episode IV.
1
u/AcrolloPeed 1h ago
Show them Spaceballs and say “the movies this parody is based on is even better than this”
1
1
u/Ok-Scallion-3415 1h ago
It’s always SW because starting from anyplace else involves too much backstory that they wouldn’t understand who or why stuff is important.
1
1
u/jojolantern721 1h ago
It's III and IV and no others.
Like I mean... IV is the reason we have this saga
1
u/Nocturne3570 Imperial 1h ago
empire strike back was and will always be one of the best of the SW movies
1
u/CR_Avila 1h ago
Yeah probably episode 4. Watching episode 1 first would bore an average user and no one should ever what any of the new trilogy as an intro to star wars so yeah lol
1
1
1
u/H4loR4ptor 1h ago
Literally everyone is saying A New Hope.
But that is not what made me a fan.
Sure, it was fun seeing Darth Vader. That evil black villain you hear about all the time.
But the OG trilogy is extremely dated. I think most of you don't realize this. Not really.
The question is which movie would make someone who isn't a Star Wars fan into a Star Wars fan. I wouldn't be surprised if most of the people who aren't yet are younger people. People who are used to quality filmmaking.
My pick would be Revenge of the Sith.
Literally everyone knows Darth Vader. When they watch that movie, they will see his fall from grace and birth into a Dark Lord of the Sith.
That will hook them. I know it.
Plus, seeing Space Jesus in action during his prime is just great.
1
1
1
u/JoshRam1 1h ago
Depends on the age of the person greatly. Younger rogue one. Older ESB. I do not know anyone who has not seen a Star Wars movie
1
u/pygmeedancer 1h ago
Honestly it depends on the person. And one of things I love most about Star Wars is I really believe there’s something for everyone.
1
1
1
1
u/gwenhadgreeneyes 59m ago
ANH and Empire are the dyad. If they're not onboard by the end of Empire then you'll never have them
....maybe Andor.
1
u/Brkthom 59m ago
If they see the sequels first, they’re later going to find the OT campy and low quality and the prequels will feel sophomoric. If you show them the OT first, they’re going to hate every single second of the prequels and laugh derisively at the sequels. If you show them the prequels first, they’re going to love all 9.
1
u/Rezolution134 58m ago
When can I stop pretending that any other Star Wars besides the original trilogy is the one and only true Star Wars?
1
1
u/vizslavoid Mandalorian Armorer 56m ago
Aside from the original, for a modern movie viewer; Solo. Its a low stakes story that introduces you to the world of Star Wars and shows you what kind of galaxy youre getting into. If youre introducing a casual movie goer to star wars, i’ve gone with this one and it works every time. People love it.
1
u/lobot2187 56m ago
ANH, but if they have issues with watching older movies show them TFA or Mandalorian
1
u/Electricfire19 48m ago
Star Wars. The original that came out in 1977. I don’t know why there would be any other answer. It worked for billions of people back in 1977 and it is naturally the baseline for every movie, show, book, game, etc. that comes after it. If someone watches it and doesn’t like it, then it’s probably safe to say that they just aren’t going to become a fan of Star Wars, so why waste their time or yours by starting them with anything else?
1
u/Tasty_Occasion_2641 48m ago
Tbh I think Rouge One followed by A New Hope would be the best way to get a new fan into it
1
1
u/Limp_Yogurtcloset246 45m ago
Ep. 4. If they don’t have goosebumps during the throne room scene then there is no hope.
1
u/DaCipherTwelve 42m ago
I know people who couldn't watch A New Hope because they found the animations too archaic. But that's the only place to start. It's framed so good, even if it wasn't intended to. You start off with a very good-v-evil story, and Empire Strikes Back turns it into a story of a son seeking to redeem his father. Then the prequels show why that father chose the dark side as he did (If possible, I would show both Clone Wars cartoons after Episode 2, before 3, as this would build the connection to Anakin and make his fall seem more tragic).
1
u/finditplz1 39m ago
I don’t know how someone would even consider the middle of a trilogy as a good idea.
1
1
1
1
1
u/RobienStPierre 23m ago
In order if each doesn't work then apply the next Original Empire Sith Rogue Return
1
•
•
u/BeesInSpace 9m ago
Ask them first what their opinion is of sand. If they hate it, attack of the clones. If they love it, a new hope.
•
u/JackAttac131313 6m ago
Hot take, but I think Rogue one could be a good starting point. New Hope is amazing, but it’s harder for someone who isn’t younger to get into it. Rogue one has some great action, has great introductions for the empire and rebel alliance, and is a great introduction to Vader. And since it technically ends on a cliffhanger, it’s a great way to set up a new hope since you’ll want to find out if they destroy the Death Star. I’d just warn a new viewer that it’s a bit slower than Rogue one.
0
u/Flaky-Skeleton-9609 3h ago
Any one of them, I feel that if you showed any of these movies to a non Star Wars fan they would become a fan because they were supposed to. If someone were to start with episode 8 or 9 the most controversial of this fandom. They’ll love it, not only do that not have someone yapping in their ear saying it’s bad but they’ll find things they enjoy about the movie and then see it in the others.
I don’t think there’s a single movie of the franchise that anyone must see as their first movie, that’s not becoming a fan, that’s just watching a recommendation. So if there had to be one specific Star Wars movie to make someone a fan it’ll be the movie they choose to watch.
1
u/Impossible-Hyena1347 3h ago
Depends on their age. I feel VII-IX would be best for someone younger, will likely be more generationally relatable, has a more diverse caste and has the most modern effects.
1
1
1
u/yoodadude 2h ago
the beginning of any trilogy is made to be an entry point
i've tried introducing with ep. 4 and they dropped it because it looked too old. I guess it also depends on the person
based on modern movie standards, best would probably be TFA
1
-1
-3
u/SandMans_Son 3h ago
Any of the prequels Cus people like lightsabers and phantom menace has the duel of fates, attack of the clones Cus of the geonosis arena and the dooku fight and revenge of the Sith because of the second dooku fight and ani and obi
0
-5
u/EuphoricAd840 4h ago
The Force Awakens or A New Hope. Both films are a good introduction.
1
u/yoodadude 2h ago
agree. ANH just doesn't click with some people unfortunately, given that it's pretty old
-1
-5
0
0
-8
u/cdistefa 4h ago
I think it depends on the age, younger audience are more likely to engage with Episodes VII-IX.
0
u/LtHannibalSmith777 Loth-Cat 3h ago
I agree that age plays a factor as most young people now can't get more than 2 minutes into anything made before 2000, but if that's the case I would show them Rogue One and transition from there to ANH with the promise that the story is worth 3 movies of outdated film tech.
VII - IX get more hate than deserved, but I would definitely not use them to introduce someone to Star Wars.
-1
-6
u/Peacelovegamer Sith 3h ago
For me I always recommend Rogue one. To me it's the best cinematic Star wars experience. Lets be real the OG trilogy is boring. The prequels are good but dated. The new trilogy looks very pretty on screen but as a true Star wars fan they are trash.
3
u/Felatio_Sanz 3h ago
Are you under the impression that the people in the Star Wars sub are just pretending to think the original trilogy isn’t boring? “Let’s be real” lol wtf
-2
-6
271
u/JeffFerguson 3h ago
Do what our generation did in 1977: watch "Star Wars".