In what order would you show the first 6 Star Wars Movies to someone who has never seen them before?

Definitely start with 4, 5, 6, 7.

Then maybe Clone Wars (2003).

If they enjoyed it and you warn them about the letdown in quality but they still want more Star Wars regardless, 1,2,3.

The Machete Order:
4 , 5, 2, 3, 6. Disregard 1 because several reasons: characters who do not reoccur, namely quigon, darth maul, etc. It does not contribute directly to the story the entire movie is based on Anakin's escape from slavery and not much more. Also Jar Jar is just simply awful.

After watching in this order then you'll be primed for ep 7.

I don't understand you people. Why would you want to spoil enjoyment of Empire strikes back to someone who never watched star wars movies before by showing him/her saga in chronological order. It's pretty obvious that 1, 2 and 3 are prequels and they exist to expand universe created in 4, 5 and 6 and to give some backstory on some characters.

Still never seen any.
And I only plan to watch them in the release order.

Machete order - IV, V, II, III, VI

• 123 do no add any value to the experience of 4567.
• 7 makes zero mention of any events which occur in 123 (aside from a brief regret from General Hux that the Stormtroopers aren't clones, which after thinking about it, would sound even cooler if you didn't know how lame the Clone Wars really were).
• 123 are terrible movies.

Therefore the order should be 4567.

There is no 1,2 and 3 :P

Start with 4, 5, 6. Original on VHS. None of this special edition BS with added in CGI or removed or altered scenes.

Then read the books for 7,8,9, rogue squadron and other side stories, maybe even experience the games or read a synopses of SW: Dark Forces 1, Dark Forces 2: Jedi Knight to understand Kyle Katarn (the guy that stole the plans for the death star and how jedi culture was after the 6th movie and how things tie into the books)

Then, see 1, 2, 3... At this point, the person then sadly will learn how the series has gone from being classic to a complete money grab and how the new movies will not at all be representative of what SW was because it got sold out and is no longer the original creative mind that made it all happen. We could pretend that 1, 2, and 3 do not exist... but that would just be a lie and we need to be aware of the truth of what the journey of this IP has been. It is not like we cannot pretend it does not exist like Highlander 2, Beast Master 2 or Indiana Jones 4 and other movies - because those do not actually exist at all.

Voting for Machete order. Wish we can skip 2 but at least you don't have to suffer with Jar-Jar :D.

Why there is no love for Episode I.? Why do you guys hate fun? >:(

What if it's classic for someone?! Bloody elitists, tsk tsk tsk.

Just go from the worst one to the best!

there's a lot of hate for 1, 2 and 3 but i really liked the prequels. I watched it in episode order, and i dont regret it. but now that i found out about the machete order, i might have enjoyed it more that way

The best order would be Wrath of Kahn, to get people hooked, then go onto Into Darkness and probably Beyond after that.

1,2,3,4,5,6 - not because of chronological order, but because if you watch them this way, it get better!

4-5-6, 1-2-3.

too much stuff in the prequels that you shouldn't know before watching the old trilogy.

Might as well as include all of them (canonical film and TV works) for a massive marathon viewing. 1, 2, The Clone Wars movie (maybe watch the preceding episodes chronologically beforehand), The Clone Wars series (wonky chronology with early episodes), 3, Rebels character introductions, Spark of Rebellion, Rebels series, 4, 5, 6, 7.

456123 There seem to be a lot of prequel haters here and I will admit there are a lot of cringe worthy moments in the prequels... but Obi-Wan is one of my favourite characters and Ewan McGregor did a great job portraying his early years.

why no option for 4, 5, 6, the end.

I watch them in the Machete Order, despite my seething and burning hatred for Hayden Christensen's performances in 2 and 3.

4 - 5 - 1 (optional) - 2 - 3 - 6

I would recommend episode order because it helps the person follow the story easier and prevents the chance that they will leave the series on a bad note, having finished with the embarrassing prequels. This is only assuming the person already knows that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father. If not, then perhaps release order is better.

4,5,6,7 Don't show them 1,2,3.

4, 5, 6

I really don't understand why 1, 2, 3 are judged as bad movies, but ok. What I'm more surprised is that many people add 7th episode to 4,5,6 which are considered to be the best. I didn't watch it (yet), but I've talked with my friend who did, and saw some other reviews from people whose opinion I trust... it's not that good. It's just a normal movie. Considering the amount of PR which was made around it, it was expected to be one of the best movies in the last years. But it isn't (again, from what I know, without watching the movie)... And that story with The Hateful Eight... Sorry, but today the 7th episode causes only negative feelings in me. Not hating, just sad.

Please, if someone can, explain me this or prove me wrong - I'm open to it. Am I missing something?

P.S. Oh, and yes - my opinion is 1,2,3,4,5,6 for the first view unless you're watching it with someone who knows the lore good and can explain all connections. In the last case, that person knows better which order to choose :)