Although there has yet to be anything new in 2024 so far, there are plenty of Star Wars movies and TV shows planned for the future. All in all, it's a great time to be a Star Wars fan. If you're just getting started with the franchise and are trying to catch up with everything canon in Star Wars, we've got you covered with a full chronological guide to the entire Star Wars timeline.
While three new live-action Star Wars movies are in development, up next for the franchise is Star Wars: The Acolyte. See our list of all the upcoming Star Wars TV shows and movies for more info.
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But what about all of the Star Wars content that you can binge right now, and how do you watch it in the order it was meant to be seen? Well, fear not! We have a list of all the current Star Wars movies and shows you can watch right now in chronological order and by release date. And it's never been easier, now that all of these titles are available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.
We will continue to update the list as more movies and shows are released.
Star Wars Movies and Shows in Chronological Order
1. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Movie, 1999)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
Released in 1999 and starring Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, and Natalie Portman, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace explored what happened long before the original trilogy, making it the starting point for a chronological watch. It introduced us to a young Anakin Skywalker (played by Jake Lloyd) who would hopefully be the one to bring balance to the force. Though not an overall critical hit at the time (as it sits at 51% on Rotten Tomatoes), it’s since garnered a much more positive reception, as even Ewan McGregor noted during interviews for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
2. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (Movie, 2002)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
The second installment of the prequel trilogy, which came out only a few years after its predecessor in 2002, is the next stop in a chronological watch. Taking place ten years after Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, it centers on an older Anakin (played now by Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan (played once again by Ewan McGregor) as they discover new and terrifying threats in the galaxy, which in turn leads up to the Clone Wars.
3. Star Wars: Clone Wars (Animated Series, 2003-2005)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Clone Wars is a 2D animated series that ran on Cartoon Network from 2003-2005 and explored what happened during the titular wars, making it the perfect story to slot in between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Anakin and Obi-Wan returned as characters as well, but were voiced by different people (Mat Lucas and James Arnold Taylor, respectively). Even though this series came to an end in 2005, the Clone Wars stories continued with a movie and new series in 2008.
4. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Movie, 2008)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Before the rise of the new Clone Wars series, there was a computer-animated film of the same name that released two months before the series did to kick it all off. It serves as a pilot episode to the show, taking place shortly after Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It also saw James Arnold Taylor returning as the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi, but had Matt Lanter replacing Mat Lucas as Anakin and featured Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano, who would all carry on into the new series, too.
5. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Animated Series, 2008-2020)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Two months later, Star Wars: The Clone Wars followed the 2008 computer-animated film and ran on Cartoon Network. It takes place in the three years between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, serving as a continuation of the aforementioned Clone Wars series from 2003, and featured several familiar faces and returning voice cast members (such as those listed in the film above). All of the events within the series eventually led to the prequel trilogy’s grand finale: Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
6. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (Movie, 2005)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
The third and final installment in the prequel trilogy was Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, which released in 2005. Following all of the thrills from The Clone Wars, this film takes place three years after Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and sees a major shift in Anakin, eventually bringing the prequel trilogy of the Skywalker Saga to a close. And while Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope starts up a new chapter of that Saga, there are plenty of stories still to explore in the time between in this galaxy far, far away.
7. Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Animated Series, 2021-Present)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Star Wars: The Bad Batch serves as a sequel to The Clone Wars series and takes place in the aftermath of said wars. It follows a group of elite clone troopers, known as Clone Force 99, and the mercenary missions they take on post-Clone Wars. Its second season is currently running until March 29th, so it’s the perfect time to start catching up in your chronological watch.
8. Solo: A Star Wars Story (Movie, 2018)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
In the time before the original trilogy of the Skywalker Saga, there’s a film that details the origin of one of its most important characters: Han Solo. Solo: A Star Wars Story is set 10 years before the events of Stars Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and starred Alden Ehrenreich as the titular smuggler, following him and Chewbacca on an adventurous heist. He’s not the only character we get a bit of backstory on before the original trilogy, though.
9. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Series, 2022)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a mini series that was released in 2022 and follows the titular Jedi 10 years after the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, with Ewan McGregor returning to the role. Though originally planned as a limited series, the door is always open for another season if fans want, according to Lucasfilm. And, if you want a quick way to take in all six episodes of the series without any pacing issues, it's even been recut by a fan into a full-length movie!
10. Star Wars Rebels (Animated Series, 2014-2018)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Also taking place a little over 10 years after Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and five years before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Rebels is an animated series that follows the Rebellion’s small beginnings in a galaxy far, far away. It ran for four seasons with 75 total episodes, so you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied as you follow the stories about the rise of the Rebellion.
11. Star Wars: Andor (Series, 2022)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Similar to Star Wars Rebels and also taking place five years before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars: Andor follows the formation of the Rebel Alliance, with Cassian Andor (played by Diego Luna) leading the series. The first season features 12 exhilirating episodes and season two is currently being filmed, and the building of this Rebellion eventually leads to…
12. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Movie, 2016)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set just before the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and follows a group of Rebels, Cassian included, as they plot to steal the plans for the Death Star. This film was the first of the standalone Star Wars spin-offs and featured a stellar cast alongside Luna, including Felicity Jones, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, and many more.
13. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Movie, 1977)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
And all of these events finally lead us into the trilogy that started it all, and the next chronological chapter of the Skywalker Saga. Released in 1977, Stars Wars Episode IV: A New Hope centered on Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he begins Jedi training under Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) and sets out on a journey to rescue Rebel Alliance leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) with the help of smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew). It’s an incredible classic that started this whole journey in the first place, and chronologically will set you up right in the middle of your Star Wars journey.
14. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Movie, 1980)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
Star Wars came back bigger and better with Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Set three years after its predecessor, this film follows our favorite Rebels as they continue to fight back against Imperial forces, and as Luke begins training with Yoda. It also sees Darth Vader reaching out to Luke in an attempt to lure him to the Dark Side. It’s dramatic, action-packed, and sure to keep you invested as you jump into the final film of the original trilogy.
15. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (Movie, 1983)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi brings the original trilogy’s Skywalker Saga to a close. Set one year after the events of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, this story revolves around the Rebel fleet as they aim to take down the newly-rebuilt Death Star. It’s a climactic finale that also sees Luke confronting Darth Vader once more, tieing up remaining strings as the Rebels make their final assault. It’s a film that leaves the fate of the galaxy in new hands, and open for new stories.
16. Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Series, 2019-Present)
Where to Watch: Disney+
In the time between the fall of the Empire and the rise of the First Order, there are several stories to appear - and one of the most exciting comes from Star Wars: The Mandalorian. This space western is a series running on Disney+ that instantly won over fans with its exciting story of a bounty hunter named Din Djarin (played by Pedro Pascal) and his adventures with little Grogu.
Season 3 is set after the events in The Book of Boba Fett listed below - and the series shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Mando isn’t the only story of a bounty hunter that needs covering in a chronological watch of Star Wars, though.
17. The Book of Boba Fett (Series, 2021)
Where to Watch: Disney+
A familiar name to many Star Wars fans, Boba Fett (played by Temuera Morrison, who also appeared in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones as Jango Fett and re-recorded lines for Boba in the DVD re-release of the original trilogy) is another bounty hunter who roams the galaxy. Serving as a spin-off of Star Wars: The Mandalorian, and set around the same period of time, The Book of Boba Fett follows the titular character as he leaves the life of a bounty hunter behind to take over the territory formerly run by Jabba the Hut. It currently only has one season out with seven episodes that run almost an hour each.
18. Star Wars: Ahsoka (Series, 2023)
Where to Watch: Disney+ (released on August 23)
Ahsoka centers on the titular former Jedi Knight as she investigates an emerging threat to the galaxy. And for those who have been wondering where the show fits on the timeline, we have some potential answers. In an interview with SFX magazine (via GamesRadar) Sabine Wren's actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo stated that, "Ahsoka runs along the same timeline as The Mandalorian season 3, and the shows are all connected. There's just so many parallels." In our 7/10 review of the first two episodes, IGN said: "Dave Filoni’s new Disney+ series Ahsoka has plenty of action but still gets off to a slow start by getting viewers up to speed with the events of Star Wars Rebels."
It was recently announced that an Ahsoka season 2 is officially in development.
19. Star Wars: Resistance (Animated Series, 2018-2019)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Arisen from the ashes of the Empire comes a new threat to the galaxy: The First Order. This rise is first explored in Star Wars: Resistance, an animated series that premiered on Disney Channel and Disney XD. It follows a young pilot named Kazuda (or Kaz) Xiono who’s recruited by the Resistance (namely Poe Dameron - played by Oscar Isaac) to spy on the First Order. It takes place just before the events of the sequel trilogy, laying the groundwork for what’s to come in the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga.
20. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (Movie, 2015)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
The sequel trilogy kicked off with Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, which introduced us to a brand new band of Rebels. At the center of these films was Rey (played by Daisy Ridley), who joins up with ex-Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega), Resistance pilot Poe (played by Oscar Isaac), and our beloved smuggler Han Solo (played once again by Harrison Ford) as they work with the Resistance (led by Carrie Fisher’s General Leia Organa) to track down Luke Skywalker (once again played by Mark Hamill) and take down the First Order, with Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver) as the film’s main antagonist. It’s a reunion of old and new that started the sequel trilogy off with a bang.
21. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (Movie, 2017)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
The search for Luke Skywalker leads straight into Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. Kicking off immediately after the end of The Force Awakens, this story follows Rey as she seeks to recruit Luke’s help. Given the First Order’s relentless pursuits, The Resistance could use it, but she’s not the only one out looking for ways to gain the upper hand. Finn gets help from a mechanic named Rose Tico (played by Kelly Marie Tran) and the two work together to help Resistance members escape the First Order. This film also serves as the farewell to Carrie Fisher, and was lovingly dedicated to her at the end.
22. Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (Movie, 2019)
Where to Watch: Disney+ to stream, rentable on Amazon and other platforms
The final installment of the sequel trilogy, and grand finale of the Skywalker Saga in general, sees our crew of Resistance fighters take their final stand against Kylo Ren and the First Order. However, the First Order isn’t working alone, as Emperor Palpatine makes his return to aid them. Unfortunately, this film wasn’t a massive success amongst critics. Our own reviewer called it “a film engineered to hit the viewer on multiple levels while struggling to settle 42 years’ worth of story elements,” but noted that it’s “if nothing else, a tribute to [the Skywalker Saga’s] legacy.”
23. Star Wars: Visions (Anime Series, 2021)
Where to Watch: Disney+
With the Skywalker Saga over and done with, it’s time to explore new stories in this galaxy far, far away, and that’s exactly what Star Wars: Visions does. This series is actually a collection of animated short films done by some of the best Japanese anime studios out there. For each episode, the creators were given complete freedom to tell a story of their choosing outside of the usual canon and with their own visual style. It currently has two volumes available to stream on Disney+ with Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 added this year.
Upcoming Star Wars Movies and Shows
The Acolyte TV series is set to release on June 4, 2024, on Disney+. With Amandla Stenberg and Squid Game star Lee Jung-Jae taking on roles as ex-Jedi Padawan and Jedi Master, we predict the show may take a more critical look at the workings of the Jedi Order. Speaking to IGN, showrunner Leslye Headland expressed that the series could "absolutely" expand over multiple seasons.
Looking further into 2024, we should see the release of The Skeleton Crew TV series as well as the third and final season of The Bad Batch. Andor Season 2 was initially supposed to arrive this August but has been delayed out of 2024, with a future release date still unclear.
Three more live-action films and their respective directors were also announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023. One of these movies will see the return of Daisy Ridley. All three films are reportedly pretty far along in their development, with hopes of releases across 2025 and 2026.
Star Wars Movies and Shows by Release Date
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Movie, 1977)
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Movie, 1980)
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (Movie, 1983)
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Movie, 1999)
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (Movie, 2002)
- Star Wars: Clone Wars (Animated Series, 2003-2005)
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (Movie, 2005)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Movie, 2008)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Animated Series, 2008-2020)
- Star Wars Rebels (Animated Series, 2014-2018)
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (Movie, 2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Movie, 2016)
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (Movie, 2017)
- Star Wars: Resistance (Animated Series, 2018-2019)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (Movie, 2018)
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (Movie, 2019)
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Series, 2019-Present)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Animated Series, 2021-Present)
- Star Wars: Visions (Anime Series, 2021)
- The Book of Boba Fett (Series, 2021)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Series, 2022)
- Star Wars: Andor (Series, 2022)
- Young Jedi Adventures (Animated Series, Spring 2023)
- Star Wars: Ahsoka (Series, 2023)
David Griffin is the Senior Editor, Features and Content Partnerships for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-movies-tv-shows-chronological-order