What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The title “Why Every Star Wars Movie Has The Wrong Title” is a playful hook, not a literal verdict. The clearest example is the original film: it opened in 1977 as Star Wars, according to a secondary film-reference FAQ, and is now officially presented by Lucasfilm as Star Wars: A New Hope, Episode IV. The episode numbers also follow the saga’s story chronology, not the order audiences first saw the films.
Was the first Star Wars movie always called A New Hope?
No. The distinction is between the title used at the film’s original release and the title used in the modern franchise catalog. IMDb’s FAQ, a secondary reference, says the 1977 release was titled Star Wars. Lucasfilm’s current film page presents it as Star Wars: A New Hope and says “Episode IV A New Hope” is how it came to be officially known. Lucasfilm’s film page and the StarWars.com viewing guide use the modern title.
![Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope [Blu-ray] [2020] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mJnnfnlbL._SL160_.jpg)
![Star Wars: A New Hope (Limited Edition Steel Book) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MKErRfenL._SL160_.jpg)
![Star Wars: A New Hope / The Empire Strikes Back / Return of the Jedi – Original Trilogy Collection [Blu-Ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41lL2Rm0BpL._SL160_.jpg)
That is a change in title presentation, not proof that the film has an objectively incorrect name. The available sources establish the distinction, but they do not establish the precise date or reason the subtitle was adopted.
Why is the original film Episode IV?
The Roman numeral identifies the film’s place in the saga’s internal chronology. It does not mean the movie was the fourth Star Wars film released. The original trilogy came out first; the prequel trilogy, which covers earlier events in the story, followed years later.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
| Trilogy | Episodes | Theatrical release years |
|---|---|---|
| Original trilogy | IV, V, VI | 1977, 1980, 1983 |
| Prequel trilogy | I, II, III | 1999, 2002, 2005 |
StarWars.com’s guide separates release order from chronological order: the former starts with the original trilogy, while the latter begins with Episode I. That makes the apparent mismatch easy to explain: audiences met Episodes IV–VI before the earlier chapters of the story existed as films. The official guide lists both orders.
Why did the prequels come out after the original trilogy?
George Lucas described the films as a story that grew beyond its initial shape. In a StarWars.com oral history published May 24, 2019, he recalled: “The original idea for Star Wars was one movie about the tragedy of Darth Vader. But as the story grew, it ended up being three movies and the backstory was never explained.” He said he decided to complete that backstory. This is Lucas’s retrospective account of the creative history, not an explanation for every title choice. Read the 2019 StarWars.com oral history.
Lucas also said that making Episode I was “more or less driven by technology.” He described digital tools as enabling a broader story than he could practically depict when making the original films. That helps explain his account of why he returned to the earlier part of the saga, but it should not be mistaken for a universal reason that Star Wars titles changed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What order should you watch the Star Wars movies in?
Both release order and chronological order are listed in StarWars.com’s official guide, and the guide treats either as valid. Choose based on whether you want the films in the order audiences first encountered them or the order of events within the story.
Rank #3
![Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope [Blu-ray] [2020] [Region Free] [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ixhg3wmXL._SL160_.jpg)
- The disk has English audio.
- Release order: Start with Episodes IV–VI (1977, 1980, 1983), then watch Episodes I–III (1999, 2002, 2005). This follows the films’ theatrical arrival.
- Chronological order: Start with Episode I, then continue through the saga in story order. This follows the guide’s chronological approach rather than release history.
The official guide is a catalog of viewing sequences, not evidence of why every title was chosen. The title change of the original film and the out-of-order release of the saga are real, but they do not make every Star Wars movie title “wrong.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
![Star Wars: The Original Trilogy Episodes IV-VI (Episode IV: A New Hope / Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back / Episode VI: Return of the Jedi) (Special Edition) [Blu-ray] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HxF2Ot-VL._SL160_.jpg)
- The Legendary Trilogy – Includes Episodes IV–VI: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.
- High-Definition Presentation – Fully remastered in stunning Blu-ray quality with enhanced visuals and sound.
- Region Free Blu-ray – Playable worldwide on all Blu-ray players.
- Multi-Language Subtitles – Features subtitles in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, and more.
- Collector-Friendly Slipcase – Packaged in a durable slipbox, ideal for display or gifting.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
