The best way to think of Rebuild is not as a do-over of Evangelion, but more of a cyclical retelling. I have to say that the ultimate endpoint of the final film made a quite nice pay-off to 20+ years of EVA. I’d probably start with the OG series though – it’s regarded as a defining moment in the genre for a reason. Also because we once set a friend down to watch Death & Rebirth with no prior knowledge of EVA and I still don;t think he’s gotten over it (and this was near 2 decades ago now…)

@sundancer, that’s a hell of a list, and one that I’ve owned a good chunk of at various points (also bonus points for Macross:DYRL? – a film I ache to see get a western blu-ray release, so much so I subjected the Fluffenhammer Discord crew to it for our March Watchalong movie night).

Subs can be a “purer” experience, but it dismisses just how good a dub can be, as well as making things more accessible. The Netflix Evangelion dub is good, just weird after 20 years hearing the classic cast to get new voices and readings of lines.

And if I can make some recommendations?
Black Lagoon
Eureka 7
Martian Successor Nadesico
R.O.D.
Kiznaiver
SSSS.Gridman
SSSS.Dynemon
The Orbital Children
Your Name
Junjutsu Kaizen
86
Full Metal Panic!
Samurai 7
Berzerk
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
GITS:SAC: 2nd Gig
Zombieland Saga
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Legend of Galactic Heroes: Die Neue Theiss
Aldanoah Zero
Gate
Cells At Work
BNA: Brand New Animal
Rahxephon
Gurren Lagaan
Assass#sination High School

And @limburger no one tries to think about Legend of the Overfiend if they can avoid it (although having read the manga I am amazed at how much they managed to fit into that original OVA…)