Few film franchises have had a greater cultural impact than Star Wars. Since George Lucas introduced audiences to a galaxy far, far away in 1977, the saga has expanded into more than 20 movies and television series spanning thousands of years of in-universe history.
With so many stories taking place during different eras of Star Wars history, it can be difficult to know how to experience the story from start to finish. Lucky for you, we have parsed the timeline. This is your guide to watching it all.
Should You Watch ‘Star Wars’ in Release Order or Chronological Order?
There are two popular ways to experience the Star Wars saga. Release order follows the order audiences originally saw the franchise, beginning with Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). Many longtime fans recommend this approach because it preserves major plot twists and mirrors how George Lucas introduced the galaxy far, far away.
Chronological order follows the in-universe timeline, beginning with The Acolyte and ending with Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Watching the series this way lets you experience the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker, the emergence of the Empire and the growth of the Rebel Alliance as those events unfold. While it isn’t the order audiences originally experienced the franchise, it’s the easiest way for new viewers to follow the story from beginning to end—which is why we recommend it below.
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How to Watch ‘Star Wars’ in Chronological Order
With more than 20 entries and the chronological order not resembling the release order in the slightest, here is your guide to experiencing the events of the Star Wars as they happened in the universe timeline.
‘The Acolyte’
One of the newest live-action entries in the Star Wars universe, The Acolyte takes viewers further back in the timeline than any modern Star Wars series, unfolding during the High Republic era roughly 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The story follows a respected Jedi Master investigating a string of mysterious crimes that lead him to a former Padawan and a growing darkness that threatens the Jedi Order.
‘Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi’
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi and Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld are two series that weave between one another in the early timeline, leading up to and through the prequel films and into the events before and after the original trilogy.
‘Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld’
Tales of the Underworld follows through on the title’s promise with a look at the criminal networks stretching across the galaxy.
‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’
With the original films releasing in theaters in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the second major phenomenon of the Star Wars saga was The Phantom Menace. The first prequel film, released in 1999, introduced viewers to Obi-Wan Kenobi and a young boy who possesses the power of the Force. That boy’s name was Anakin Skywalker, who would one day become one of the most notorious villains in cinema history: Darth Vader.
‘Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones’
Taking place 10 years after the events of The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones finds Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi as primary soldiers of the Force during the Sith’s ascension back to power. That ascension poses a threat to Senator Padme Amidala, whom Anakin first meets in The Phantom Menace and, after being sworn to protect her, falls deeply in love with. Meanwhile, a reconnaissance mission leads Obi-Wan to discover a clone army that has been developed for the Jedi, though such forces do not sit well with him.
‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’
The acclaimed animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars begins with a feature-length film and more than 100 episodes that explore the events leading up to and through the Clone Wars, all the way to Revenge of the Sith. The series dives into the day-to-day life of the Jedi, their training and regimen, and shows all the good that Anakin Skywalker possessed before he turned to the dark side.
‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith’
Revenge of the Sith follows the turn of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. Distraught over his mother’s death and the passive nature of the Jedi, Anakin is lured to the dark side and changes the galaxy forever. In his fall, we witness the birth of the next generation: Luke and Leia.
‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’
Star Wars: The Bad Batch follows a group of clone soldiers who did not follow the orders of Emperor Palpatine to eliminate all Jedi. With unique abilities, this group of ragtag clone soldiers tries to make their way in a galaxy that is rapidly changing.
‘Star Wars: Shadow of the Dark Lord’
After the events of The Clone Wars, Darth Maul retreats to the far reaches of the galaxy to rebuild his own criminal empire.
‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’
Fans of the original franchise were enamored with Han Solo, the space cowboy with a Wookiee co-pilot who always knew how to get out of a corner. Solo follows the exploits of the renegade pilot as he makes his way through the criminal underworld, meeting his future friend and co-pilot Chewbacca and his old friend Lando Calrissian along the way.
‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’
This miniseries takes place immediately after the events of Revenge of the Sith and follows Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mission to save Anakin’s daughter, Princess Leia, after she is kidnapped. All while trying to get her to safety, he must also evade capture and elimination by Imperial threats determined to wipe out the Jedi.
‘Andor’
One of the most critically acclaimed entries in the Star Wars universe of late, Andor is a two-season run that follows the titular character, Cassian Andor, from a street-smart criminal to a rebel hero. Andor serves as a prequel to Rogue One, which follows the Rebel fight for freedom and the creation of the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star.
‘Star Wars: Rebels’
Star Wars: Rebels is an animated series that runs throughout the events of Andor, taking place during the Empire’s domination over the galaxy amid the development of the Death Star, with ordinary heroes stepping up to protect those in danger.
‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’
Rogue One follows a cobbled-together team of heroes whose mission is to steal the plans for the Death Star and give the Rebel Alliance a fighting chance in an increasingly hopeless world.
‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’
A New Hope is the film that started it all. It is in the box office Hall of Fame for its immediate impact, bringing a totally new dimension to sci-fi and film.
A New Hope follows a young farmer with big dreams of fighting for the Rebels against the Empire. That young farmer’s name is Luke Skywalker, and his family has a backstory he can’t even imagine. With the Empire closing in, an old wizard named Ben Kenobi who lives out in the caves comes to his rescue and tells him who he really is, just in time for the Rebellion to take on the Empire and their ultimate weapon.
‘Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back’
The destruction of the Death Star is a major victory for the Rebels, but it does not vanquish the Empire, which comes back with fury as it works to construct a new Death Star. Luke makes his way to Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, while Darth Vader tries to lure him out of hiding by capturing his friends.
‘Star Wars: Ewoks’ and the ‘Ewok Adventures’
Star Wars: Ewoks was an animated show that ran for about 10 years from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. The Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor are two films released immediately after Return of the Jedi that provide a prequel story for the unlikely heroes of the final film in the original trilogy.
‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’
With the construction of the second Death Star nearly complete, the Rebels must once again scramble to take down the Empire. That means rescuing Han Solo from the prison of Jabba the Hut and Luke attempting to lure Darth Vader back from the dark side.
‘The Mandalorian’
The first two seasons of The Mandalorian take place in the immediate aftermath of the destruction of the Empire, the death of the Emperor and the fall of Darth Vader. But even changes that big take a long time to reach the farthest corners of the galaxy, where a bounty hunter operates far from authority with only his own code to live by. The Mandalorian also introduces viewers to an exceptionally young Jedi who resembles a former Jedi Master.
Season 3 of The Mandalorian picks up directly where The Book of Boba Fett leaves off, continuing the bounty hunter’s story across a changing galaxy.
‘The Book of Boba Fett’
The Book of Boba Fett follows the titular bounty hunter as he tries to claim Jabba the Hutt’s former territory. Operating with a similar code, Boba Fett crosses paths with the Mandalorian, and it is here that the two series pass the baton to each other as The Book of Boba Fett closes and Season 3 of The Mandalorian begins.
‘Ahsoka’
Even with the fall of the Empire, evil has not been rooted out of the galaxy. The New Republic still requires unlikely heroes to protect everyday people. Ahsoka follows former Jedi Ahsoka Tano, the former Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, who has walked away from the institution that honed her but still operates with a firm moral compass.
‘Skeleton Crew’
Skeleton Crew follows four kids who find a spaceship near their community and take it blindly into the galaxy with almost no regard. Lucky for them, they find a mentor who is willing to help them survive and make their way back home.
‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’
The newest addition to the Star Wars universe is the feature film Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. The film follows the bounty hunter and Baby Yoda as they take down warlords from the fallen Galactic Empire, tasked by the New Republic to help stamp out emerging threats trying to fill the void left by the former empire.
‘Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens’
The Force Awakens marks the beginning of a new trilogy in the Star Wars universe, taking place 30 years after the fall of the Galactic Empire. A new threat has emerged: the First Order, built from what remained of the fallen empire. With Leia Organa and Han Solo now elder heroes in the Rebel force, they must turn to a new generation of heroes to help destroy this new great threat. It is a lesson that evil never dies.
‘Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi’
The Last Jedi follows Rey’s training with Luke Skywalker to become a Jedi Master as they prepare for a battle with the First Order.
‘Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker’
The epic conclusion of the sequel trilogy finds a message from a voice assumed lost to time: Emperor Palpatine, clinging to life but still maintaining strength. Palpatine lures Kylo Ren to his lair, and once again the Rebel Alliance must defeat Emperor Palpatine to bring down the First Order and restore peace to the galaxy.
‘Star Wars’ Films in Chronological Order: A Quick Reference
The prequel trilogy, original trilogy and new trilogy carry the story of the Skywalker saga with three films interwoven into the timeline to give fans a glimpse of other events in the world.
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Are There Other Ways to Watch Star Wars?
Yes. Some longtime fans prefer viewing orders like the Machete Order, which skips The Phantom Menace and rearranges the prequel trilogy to preserve major story reveals. Others enjoy the Flashback Order, which places the prequel films between the original trilogy entries. While these approaches have passionate supporters, chronological order is the easiest choice for most new viewers.
Upcoming Star Wars Projects
The hits keep coming for the Star Wars franchise as three feature films are currently in development.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’
Star Wars: Starfighter is set to hit theaters in May 2027. The standalone film stars Ryan Gosling, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith and Amy Adams, with Sean Levy of Deadpool fame slated to direct. The story is expected to be set five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker.
‘Star Wars: New Jedi Order’
With a projected 2028 release date, Star Wars: New Jedi Order is believed to center on Rey Skywalker after the events of the sequel trilogy as she rebuilds a new Jedi Order in her own image. Daisy Ridley is set to reprise her role as Rey.
Get Disney+ Through DIRECTV
Whether you’re watching Star Wars for the first time or revisiting the galaxy far, far away, chronological order offers the clearest path through decades of stories spanning movies, animated series and live-action shows. Once you’ve finished, you can always revisit the saga in release order to experience it the way audiences originally did.
Watch it all on Disney+, which you can access in a variety of DIRECTV packages for no extra cost! Get started today.
Frequently asked questions
Should I watch Star Wars in release order or chronological order?
Do I need to watch the Star Wars TV shows?
Is The Acolyte the first story in the Star Wars timeline?
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