You’ve been a fan of Star Wars since you were a kid. Now, you’re wanting to share the fun with your own children.
The only problem is, you’re not sure if your kids are old enough to start watching Star Wars. Certainly the more recent movies are far too dark for young children to enjoy, but what about the older movies? What about the TV shows?
Are any of these appropriate for kids?
Keep reading for our list of the 10 most kid-friendly Star Wars movies and shows.
Note: We have ranked these movies and shows based on their thematic elements and level of violence; parental discretion is still advised before showing any of these to your children.
Contents
1. Episode IV: A New Hope
What better way to introduce your kid to Star Wars than with the original movie? Episode IV: A New Hope is perhaps the most kid-friendly of all the Star Wars movies and shows for a number of reasons.
The driving force behind this movie is a sense of lighthearted adventure. The most disturbing part of the movie is when we see the bodies of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru after their farm has been set on fire by stormtroopers; and this scene is brief and shown from a distance.
Yes, stormtroopers fall like bowling pins, several of the X-wing pilots are shot down, and everyone on the Death Star dies when it is blown up–but none of these deaths are particularly brutal. Many of them take place off-screen.
Even Obi-Wan’s death is tastefully done; we see his body disappear without any blood, then realize he is still around in some capacity as his voice guides Luke throughout the rest of the film.
George Lucas himself said the original Star Wars movie was meant to be kid-friendly. Most fans would agree that it is an entertaining romp noticeably lacking in darkness.
Perhaps the best aspect of the movie is its sense of humor. It also offers a blend of engaging characters and lots of high-flying action to keep kids entertained. A New Hope is appropriate for kids as young as six.
2. Star Wars: Resistance
Star Wars: Resistance is a newer show which most fans consider mostly forgettable. One review says this 20-episode series complements the Sequel Trilogy in that it has “a colorful cast of characters that never get to soar high on their own.”
Though adults may find Resistance boring thanks to its mild action and predictable storyline, it has an enjoyable animation style that will likely grab the attention of young kids.
The show is entirely harmless; in fact, it’s often considered the most kid-friendly Star Wars series currently available.
If your little one is wanting more Star Wars action after watching A New Hope, but is still too young for the other movies or shows, why not introduce them to Resistance? It’s appropriate for ages 6 and older.
3. Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Aside from A New Hope, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace is usually considered the most kid-friendly installment of the Skywalker Saga.
This movie, which many adults find boring and ridiculous, combines mild action with easily-digestible themes that are generally harmless and child-appropriate.
What’s more, most characters are young–most notably Anakin Skywalker, who is just 9 years old in this movie. Other characters of note include Jar-Jar Binks, whose introduction to the Saga will likely be more palatable to children than most adults.
The deaths of Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul are shown on-screen, but neither one is terribly graphic so most kids won’t be terribly bothered. All things considered, this movie is most likely appropriate for kids age 7 and older.
4. Star Wars Rebels
Star Wars Rebels is one of the more kid-friendly animated shows on this list. It was initially given a TV-Y7 rating, meaning it’s widely considered appropriate for kids age 7 and older.
In particular, the first season of Rebels is remarkably lighthearted and full of adventures that never get too scary.
This show combines a fun animation style, gripping action, and a cast of loveable characters. It also showcases themes of hope, forgiveness, and friendship throughout the series. For these reasons, this is a show both kids and parents will love.
It’s worth noting that, as the show progresses, the storylines become more intense. Major characters allow themselves to be killed and kidnapped to save their friends.
Older children should do fine with these themes, but parental guidance is suggested for younger children beyond the first season of Rebels.
5. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The popular and long-running Star Wars: The Clone Wars is rated TV-PG, so parental guidance is suggested, especially for younger children. The show is mostly a lighthearted romp, though some episodes are markedly darker than others.
The overall tone of the show also grows darker as it progresses through the later seasons. We begin to get glimpses into the Republic’s collapse and Anakin Skywalker’s move toward becoming Darth Vader.
Though The Clone Wars is mostly free of blood and gore, some of the thematic elements may be too much for young children. Various character deaths take place throughout the series, and some of them are quite heart-wrenching despite the lack of blood.
The Clone Wars is most likely appropriate for kids aged 8 and up, though again, parental guidance is suggested.
6. Star Wars: The Bad Batch
The Bad Batch is a spinoff of The Clone Wars and is also rated TV-PG. The first season is generally harmless, though the pilot episode shows clone troopers turning on and killing their Jedi masters during Order 66.
A main storyline of several episodes revolves around a child being hunted down and subsequently getting kidnapped.
As with Clone Wars, some of these thematic elements may be disturbing to children. It’s also possible that the show may grow darker as future seasons are released. With this in mind, parental guidance is recommended.
The Bad Batch is generally appropriate for ages 8 and up.
7. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The second installment of the Original Trilogy contains a few difficult moments that younger kids might struggle with.
We see Han Solo cutting open a Tauntaun and the innards spilling out. Later in the movie, we see him frozen in carbonite. Shortly after this, Luke Skywalker gets hand severed in a lightsaber duel, then finds out that Darth Vader is his father.
Though it is still fairly lighthearted, this film has darker undertones than A New Hope, so it’s best for kids to wait until they’re a little older to watch this one.
Even so, The Empire Strikes Back is still mostly harmless, with a great sense of humor, lovable characters, and captivating action sequences.
Kids 9 and older should be old enough to watch this movie.
8. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
In reality, Return of the Jedi may be a little more kid-friendly than The Empire Strikes Back; the problem is, it would make no sense to watch these two films out of sequence.
This final installment of the Original Trilogy largely returns to the lighthearted flavor of A New Hope. It is less graphic and doesn’t really contain any shock value.
There are scenes with the metal bikini, which many parents might not consider appropriate for kids. Also, parents might find themselves having to explain why Luke was kissing his sister throughout the trilogy.
Overall, though, this movie is an enjoyable adventure that should be fine for kids 9 and older.
9. Episode II: Attack of the Clones
The second movie of the Prequel Trilogy is not quite as kid-friendly as the first, if only because the characters have grown up and more adult themes are introduced. Some of these themes include assassination, uncontrolled anger, and cloning.
That said, the action and intensity levels are still relatively kid-friendly compared to many of the more recent Star Wars films.
One character does get beheaded. Anakin Skywalker kills several Tusken Raiders in cold blood on-screen. Later, he gets his arm cut off in a lightsaber duel. There are some intense battle sequences as well. But all of these scenes are tastefully done and do not show much blood or gore.
Most older kids should be able to watch Attack of the Clones without issue. With this in mind, the movie is generally appropriate for ages 10 and up
10. Solo: A Star Wars Story
Solo is perhaps the most surprising addition to this list. It is the most kid-friendly of all the Star Wars movies that have been produced since Disney took over Lucasfilm in 2014.
Solo has a mostly lighthearted feel, though there are a few dark moments and some shocking death scenes.
The story also focuses on such things as smuggling, breaking rules, cheating, and other less than savory aspects. Some parents may not want their young children immersing themselves in these negative elements of the movie.
Still, there is very little blood and gore, and the characters and action are highly enjoyable. Solo is a fun ride that is most appropriate for older kids aged 13 and up.
Sarah Hood is a freelance content writer and editor with a love for all things Star Wars. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, singing, and spending time in the great outdoors.