The Star Wars Timeline Explained: Every Movie & TV Show In Chronological Order (Plus A Few Other Canon Highlights)
By Dan Bibby
October 4th, 2025
The Star Wars timeline can be a vast and unforgiving beast, which can dissuade newcomers from ever engaging with the franchise. However, there are several great jumping-on points and different ways of engaging with the saga that don't necessarily ask someone to be a completionist.
Still, even if a perspective fan wants to dip their toe into the Star Wars universe at a point that grabs their fancy, it's helpful to know the context of where a story falls within the larger continuity. So, I've put together a comprehensive and chronological list of all the Star Wars movies and TV shows, while also throwing in some other projects from various forms of media that also share the same canon.
It's important to note that Star Wars put out countless novels, TV shows, and specials before Disney acquired the franchise from George Lucas in 2012. Most of the content that wasn't a feature film was scrubbed from the established canon, relegating it to something called the Star Wars Legends subseries. The biggest exception was Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which remained in place as part of the extended lore.
Similarly, not all Star Wars content put out by Disney has been canon. The most prominent example of this is the animated anthology series, Star Wars: Visions. The show is more akin to a series of What-If scenarios, and none of the episodes unfold within the established Star Wars canon. If you're ever confused while perusing the timeline below, rest assured that I've checked and double-checked that every entry is part of the current established Star Wars lore.
Still, even if a perspective fan wants to dip their toe into the Star Wars universe at a point that grabs their fancy, it's helpful to know the context of where a story falls within the larger continuity. So, I've put together a comprehensive and chronological list of all the Star Wars movies and TV shows, while also throwing in some other projects from various forms of media that also share the same canon.
It's important to note that Star Wars put out countless novels, TV shows, and specials before Disney acquired the franchise from George Lucas in 2012. Most of the content that wasn't a feature film was scrubbed from the established canon, relegating it to something called the Star Wars Legends subseries. The biggest exception was Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which remained in place as part of the extended lore.
Similarly, not all Star Wars content put out by Disney has been canon. The most prominent example of this is the animated anthology series, Star Wars: Visions. The show is more akin to a series of What-If scenarios, and none of the episodes unfold within the established Star Wars canon. If you're ever confused while perusing the timeline below, rest assured that I've checked and double-checked that every entry is part of the current established Star Wars lore.
The Star Wars: High Republic Books & Comics (2021-2025)
The High Republic series is like a mini franchise by itself, and it's not something that's talked about as often as it probably deserves to be. The literary Star Wars saga is set centuries before the events of 1999's The Phantom Menace and consists of a variety of forms of written works. Primarily told via novels, there are also High Republic comics, play scripts, and even picture books for budding Star Wars fans.
Some of the franchise's longer-living characters, like Yoda, do show up in the High Republic, but they're given very minor roles for the most part. This permits the new heroes and villains to take center stage and shine as the immaculately written figures they are. The High Republic can be enjoyed as its own storyline or used to provide additional context to concepts mentioned in the Star Wars movies and shows.
Some of the franchise's longer-living characters, like Yoda, do show up in the High Republic, but they're given very minor roles for the most part. This permits the new heroes and villains to take center stage and shine as the immaculately written figures they are. The High Republic can be enjoyed as its own storyline or used to provide additional context to concepts mentioned in the Star Wars movies and shows.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (2023-)
Clearly aimed at a much younger audience, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures doesn't offer a whole lot for older viewers. That said, it does still manage to provide some interesting insight into certain events that take place during the High Republic era. Either way, it's largely optional viewing, while still surprisingly boasting official Star Wars canon status.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Season 1 (2024)
Star Wars made a more substantial effort to explore the High Republic era onscreen in 2024, with The Acolyte making its debut on Disney+. While it lacked many characters from the books and comics, the new introductions did feel authentic to the era.
Scoring a respectable 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Acolyte was frustratingly canceled due to viewers' review-bombing the show for what I maintain were incredibly unsavory reasons. Regardless, Disney+ responded to the backlash by pulling the plug and leaving the finale's exciting cliffhanger unaddressed.
Scoring a respectable 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Acolyte was frustratingly canceled due to viewers' review-bombing the show for what I maintain were incredibly unsavory reasons. Regardless, Disney+ responded to the backlash by pulling the plug and leaving the finale's exciting cliffhanger unaddressed.
Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi (2024)
Like the other Tales series in the franchise, Tales of the Jedi is a tricky one to place on the Star Wars timeline. Still, although it jumps around a little bit, it's primarily responsible for telling the previously unseen origin stories of Count Dooku and Ahsoka Tano. It's a short show that fits in an impressive amount of lore and context for characters that were already super interesting.
Star Wars: Tales Of The Underworld (2025) - Cad Bane's Episodes
Tales of the Underworld splits its time between Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress, both of whom made their respective Star Wars debuts in the Clone Wars TV show. Similar to Tales of the Jedi, the show fleshes out both the characters it dedicates its run to. The Cad Bane episodes are primarily set just before The Phantom Menace, although the story is hyper-personal to the Duros bounty hunter rather than being tied into the Star Wars franchise's main arc.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
1999 is arguably the first year it became confusing to be a Star Wars fan. The Phantom Menace was marketed as Episode I, despite being the fourth movie within the franchise. Cinematic prequels weren't new at this point, but it was perhaps one of the most complex labelling systems to date. Either way, it became the first canonical installment of what is now referred to as the Skywalker Saga.
The Phantom Menace is one of the two movies that's hotly debated as the best Star Wars project to watch first. It wasn't released first overall, but it is the first movie in the timeline. With 1977's A New Hope being the movie that kick-started the entire franchise, many favor starting there instead.
The Phantom Menace is one of the two movies that's hotly debated as the best Star Wars project to watch first. It wasn't released first overall, but it is the first movie in the timeline. With 1977's A New Hope being the movie that kick-started the entire franchise, many favor starting there instead.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones (2002)
Set a decade after The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones is the first traditional and easy-to-place sequel in the Star Wars timeline. That doesn't mean it's very good, but at least it doesn't require any frantic timeline searching. Despite its lack of quality, it did at least set up one of the best Star Wars eras. The Clone Wars would go on to be revisited countless times in other canon projects.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - The Movie
The Clone Wars movie ruffled a lot of feathers when it came out due to its hearty retcon of Anakin Skywalker's Jedi career. Released after 2005's Revenge of the Sith, but set after Attack of the Clones, the feature-length animated project introduced Ahsoka Tano as Anakin's Padawan.
It was an incredibly risky move that was met with much criticism. But, as with almost everything in the Star Wars universe, it's now difficult to see why anyone had an issue with the change. Sure, it's a little unusual that Ahsoka isn't mentioned once in Revenge of the Sith, but an in-universe explanation for that is provided in the Clone Wars spinoff show that followed.
It was an incredibly risky move that was met with much criticism. But, as with almost everything in the Star Wars universe, it's now difficult to see why anyone had an issue with the change. Sure, it's a little unusual that Ahsoka isn't mentioned once in Revenge of the Sith, but an in-universe explanation for that is provided in the Clone Wars spinoff show that followed.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Seasons 1-6 (2008-2014)
There's one episode of The Clone Wars, then the movie of the same name, and then the rest of the show. That's how the timeline works here. It should also be noted that the 2003 Clone Wars show, the 2D-animated one, is no longer canon and hasn't been since Disney took over. The show that premiered in 2008 is the one to get your Clone Wars lore from.
While established characters like Anakin and Obi-Wan are given huge roles, The Clone Wars also brings aboard new heroes and villains who are still popping up in the franchise today. The show as a whole is a little uneven, but it has some great moments that outweigh the more disappointing episodes.
While established characters like Anakin and Obi-Wan are given huge roles, The Clone Wars also brings aboard new heroes and villains who are still popping up in the franchise today. The show as a whole is a little uneven, but it has some great moments that outweigh the more disappointing episodes.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
Episode III rounds off the Star Wars prequel movie trilogy with a bang, showing the final stages of Anakin's fall to the Dark Side and his transition into Darth Vader. Easily the best of the trilogy to which it belongs, Revenge of the Sith has become something of a cult classic among Star Wars fans, even if only for the various memes it has birthed.
It sets up A New Hope very well, but there's now a whole lot of drama to experience before Episode IV if you're watching in chronological order. Episode III is also very famous for its Order 66 sequence that sees the Emperor give the order for all the clone troopers to turn on their Jedi leaders and execute them. Order 66 has been revisited many times since in other Star Wars media.
It sets up A New Hope very well, but there's now a whole lot of drama to experience before Episode IV if you're watching in chronological order. Episode III is also very famous for its Order 66 sequence that sees the Emperor give the order for all the clone troopers to turn on their Jedi leaders and execute them. Order 66 has been revisited many times since in other Star Wars media.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 (2020)
As part of Disney+'s launch package, the platform resurrected Star Wars: The Clone Wars for one more season after the show limped to the finish line in 2014. The Clone Wars' return came with a solid plan to be set alongside Revenge of the Sith, showing scenes from the perspectives of characters who hadn't been written at the time of the movie's release or didn't appear in it. It slightly overshoots the events of Episode III, though. That's why I've placed it here. It's a fantastic and very creative piece of storytelling.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-2024)
The Clone Wars season 7 wasn't just a last hurrah for the animated show. It also acted as a pilot series for Star Wars' next animated adventure. The Bad Batch's titular crew debuted in The Clone Wars season 7 but didn't play much of a role in most of the episodes. Instead, their best moments were saved for the show they would eventually lead for three seasons as they tried to outrun an Empire that was aggressively retiring clone troopers in the years that followed Order 66.
Star Wars: Tales Of The Underworld (2025) - Asajj Ventress' Episodes
Ventress' episodes of Tales of the Underworld loosely continue the events of the canon novel, 2015's Dark Disciple by Christie Golden. Her life after the Clone Wars era focuses on her attempts to live under the radar and away from the Republic-turned-Empire's prying eyes. It's a great way to learn more about her character in a way that makes her about as much of a protagonist as she can be.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order & Jedi Survivor (2019, 2023)
Not every Star Wars story is accessible to everyone, which is a shame. Books and comics are one thing, but playing a video game can involve a significant financial investment. Still, it can certainly be worth it for the stories locked away in the Star Wars: Jedi games with Cal Kestis. Certain elements of these games have made their way into onscreen projects, but in a way so subtle that it doesn't really matter if you miss it. If you get the chance, these games do not disappoint as they mesh several eras together.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Miniseries (2022)
Originally intended to be a movie, Disney's failings at the box office during that time forced the studio to alter its plan and make Obi-Wan Kenobi into a six-episode miniseries. The return of Ewan McGregor to the project's title role saw an older version of his Obi-Wan/Ben watching over a 10-year-old Luke Skywalker from afar and also running off to save a young Princess Leia. The first encounter between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader since their battle on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith is also one of the sequel show's central scenes, and it's incredibly impactful.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
I don't think anyone really asked for a Han Solo origin story, but the movie that came out of such an ambitious concept was surprisingly good. It works very well as a standalone narrative, but it also fits very comfortably within the Star Wars universe. This is another franchise effort I would describe as optional viewing, but you can make up your own mind about how you rate it.
Star Wars: Rebels (2014-2018)
Star Wars: Rebels was the first screen-based project Disney added to the franchise, even before the first post-George Lucas movie. The animation style makes it look a little like it's aimed at kids, but even if it is, it doesn't talk down to the audience.
It lacks the intensely dark moments that can appear in The Clone Wars, but it's still expertly written. It separates itself by refusing to rely too much on famous characters. It largely champions its original Star Wars figures instead and sets up the Rebellion that would go on to be so important in the original trilogy and beyond.
It lacks the intensely dark moments that can appear in The Clone Wars, but it's still expertly written. It separates itself by refusing to rely too much on famous characters. It largely champions its original Star Wars figures instead and sets up the Rebellion that would go on to be so important in the original trilogy and beyond.
Andor (2022-2025)
Andor is in a league of its own when it comes to Star Wars shows, as there's nothing else like it within the franchise. It'd be very easy to describe it as a direct prequel to A New Hope, but it'd be a very reductive way of pinning down exactly what the story is. It's probably the most mature version of Star Wars that could possibly be made while feeling like it belongs in the main canon.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One is a relic of an era when Disney was trying to flesh out the Star Wars universe beyond the Skywalker Saga. It was a huge success in every way that mattered, including making over $1 billion at the box office. At the time of its release, it was a grown-up prequel to A New Hope. Since Andor, Rogue One has retroactively become the show's feature-length finale, too.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
The movie that serves as the bedrock of the entire Star Wars franchise premiered in 1977. It's been remastered and re-edited so many times at this point that there are countless versions floating around. At its core, though, it's still the same movie. Even today, with so much on offer within the saga, A New Hope is probably still the best point to start for new Star Wars fans.
It's very relevant to point out here that Episode IV is year zero when it comes to how fans navigate the Star Wars timeline. The movie ends with the Battle of Yavin, which is arguably the franchise's biggest landmark occurrence. While the system is not observed by Star Wars characters, fans can refer to something as being 10 BBY, for example, which means it took place 10 years before the Battle of Yavin. Similarly, something could have happened 10 ABY, and I think you know where this is going.
It's very relevant to point out here that Episode IV is year zero when it comes to how fans navigate the Star Wars timeline. The movie ends with the Battle of Yavin, which is arguably the franchise's biggest landmark occurrence. While the system is not observed by Star Wars characters, fans can refer to something as being 10 BBY, for example, which means it took place 10 years before the Battle of Yavin. Similarly, something could have happened 10 ABY, and I think you know where this is going.
Star Wars: Vader Down (2016)
2015's Vader Down is amazing, but there's quite a lot of groundwork required before you can read it and fully enjoy it. In short, there's a run of mainline Star Wars comics and a run of Darth Vader comics that were released alongside each other and both set directly after A New Hope but before 1980's The Empire Strikes Back. Then, Vader Down is the crossover event between those two comic book series. If you're willing to put the time into this one, you'll get a lot out of it.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Widely regarded as the best Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back is filled with iconic moments that have come to define the franchise. It's an emotional journey that's also filled to the brim with amazing action sequences and special effects that were way ahead of its time. I probably don't need to say much more about this one.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi (1983)
Return of the Jedi was originally intended to be the final Star Wars movie. So, even though the timeline doesn't end here, Episode VI is the current canon's final project to be made under creator George Lucas' watchful eye. The twist of the Empire being brought down by adorable, cuddly allies still splits the fan base to this day, but it's generally regarded as a good movie. Personally, I think the Ewoks are a highlight.
Star Wars: Tales Of The Empire (2024)
Like a few other projects on this list, Tales of the Empire isn't easy to place on the Star Wars timeline. The episodes take the viewer on something of a journey through the ages, although it focuses largely on the Imperial era. My advice would be to watch this one after Return of the Jedi, as it acts as a nice exploration of a tumultuous period in the franchise's timeline, but you also have the comfort of knowing the good guys ultimately won.
The Mandalorian Seasons 1 & 2 (2019, 2020)
Like The Clone Wars season 7, The Mandalorian was one of the projects made for Disney+'s launch. It immediately became a smash hit, creating excitement for being Star Wars' first live-action TV show in the new canon. Although made after Disney's divisive movie trilogy, it's set in the period between the fall of the Empire in Return of the Jedi, but before the rise of the First Order, which takes place before 2015's The Force Awakens.
The Mandalorian initially set itself up to be a standalone Star Wars project, but the story has inevitably been pulled into the larger universe. Following the huge surprise of Luke Skywalker showing up at the end of season 2, the franchise slotted in the story of another beloved character who had made his return, paying tribute in the form of an entire miniseries before The Mandalorian season 3.
The Mandalorian initially set itself up to be a standalone Star Wars project, but the story has inevitably been pulled into the larger universe. Following the huge surprise of Luke Skywalker showing up at the end of season 2, the franchise slotted in the story of another beloved character who had made his return, paying tribute in the form of an entire miniseries before The Mandalorian season 3.
The Book Of Boba Fett Miniseries (2021-2022)
The Book of Boba Fett continues its title character's story in the wake of his long-awaited return in The Mandalorian season 2. With how beloved the bounty hunter has been for decades, plus the perfectly logical casting of Temuera Morrison in the lead role, the show seemed as though it would be a slam dunk. Boy, was it a let down. Still, it's canon, and it's advisable to watch if you want to fully follow The Mandalorian's larger story arc.
The Mandalorian Season 3 (2023)
The Mandalorian season 2's emotional ending saw Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin bid an emotional farewell to his tiny green son, as Grogu left to train as a Jedi with Luke Skywalker. For those who didn't bother tuning in for The Book of Boba Fett, it was probably a little confusing that Mando and Grogu began season 3 reunited again, as they came back together in an entirely different show. The rest of the run is thankfully easy to follow without seeing the failed miniseries. Season 3 rounds off the show, but 2026's The Mandalorian & Grogu movie will add another adventure.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Season 1 (2024-2025)
Skeleton Crew, like The Mandalorian, is set in the wake of the Empire's defeat and after the rise of the New Republic. It's a fun ride that feels very much in the spirit of classic Steven Spielberg adventures like 1982's E.T. and 1985's The Goonies. The show wasn't renewed for a second season, as it already tells a pretty complete story. There is certainly scope for a follow-up, but considering how under the radar Skeleton Crew went, it probably won't happen.
Ahsoka (2023-)
Ahsoka Tano's journey to a show that primarily follows her exploits was a long time coming. While Ashley Eckstein voiced her in The Clone Wars and other animated projects, Rosario Dawson has since inherited the role as the Togruta made her way into live-action. Cameos in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett set up her adventures in Ahsoka season 1, but the show is also a great narrative successor to Star Wars: Rebels.
Star Wars: Shadow Of The Sith (2022)
Adam Christopher's Shadow of the Sith was published three years after the conclusion of Disney's largely disliked Star Wars sequel movie trilogy, but it's set in the years leading up to Episode VII - The Force Awakens. The Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian adventure, while heavily rooted in lore written for the sequels, feels very much like what The Force Awakens should have been.
There have been several instances of disliked Star Wars properties being redeemed by new additions to the franchise that recontextualize certain things and make them retroactively better. Shadow of the Sith is a great example of this, as it allowed me to think about things Rey's mysterious origin in an entirely new light, among other storylines. I would highly recommend giving this a read, even if you hated the sequels.
There have been several instances of disliked Star Wars properties being redeemed by new additions to the franchise that recontextualize certain things and make them retroactively better. Shadow of the Sith is a great example of this, as it allowed me to think about things Rey's mysterious origin in an entirely new light, among other storylines. I would highly recommend giving this a read, even if you hated the sequels.
Star Wars: Resistance (2018-2020)
Resistance ran for 2 seasons and explored previously unseen corners of the sequel trilogy. It begins just before the events of The Force Awakens, but then starts to run alongside the movies. There are a few cool cameos and references to other Star Wars eras, but it's otherwise close to the bottom of the pile of franchise entries in terms of quality. It's decent background viewing, and as someone who doesn't believe in background shows, that's really saying something.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
It may seem strange now, but The Force Awakens was released in a time when Star Wars still lived and died on the big screen. The concept of a Star Wars TV show had already come and gone, but feature-length releases had come out on top as the desired form of medium for the franchise. The movie introduced an entirely new era for Star Wars that pitted the Resistance against the First Order, more than three in-universe decades after Return of the Jedi.
The Force Awakens was both praised and criticized for relying heavily on nostalgia-baiting while also pushing the lore forward with promising new characters, settings, and storylines. I've already mentioned Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope as possible jumping-on points for new Star Wars fans, and this is certainly what Disney intended The Force Awakens to be, as it ushered in a new generation of viewers. It does work as a first step, but I wouldn't recommend using it that way.
The Force Awakens was both praised and criticized for relying heavily on nostalgia-baiting while also pushing the lore forward with promising new characters, settings, and storylines. I've already mentioned Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope as possible jumping-on points for new Star Wars fans, and this is certainly what Disney intended The Force Awakens to be, as it ushered in a new generation of viewers. It does work as a first step, but I wouldn't recommend using it that way.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
The Star Wars sequel trilogy is easy to follow, as the era has proven so divisive that the gaps between movies haven't really been explored onscreen. That said, there is virtually no time between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Either way, Episode VIII is widely acknowledged as where the sequels started to truly falter. The moment most pivotal to the franchise that happens in the movie is the death of Luke Skywalker, which is...disappointing, to say the least.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)
Disney's Star Wars sequel trilogy continued to impress with how visually spectacular they were when The Rise of Skywalker was released, but that was pretty much the only compliment fans had. With another rapid in-universe return to the story, Episode IX took place around a year after its predecessor. It tried to correct the missteps of The Last Jedi, but I've always felt like Episode IX was also trying to retroactively install itself as the second and final movie of the sequels.
As I mentioned earlier, the sequels haven't been fleshed out with other shows and movies to anywhere near the same extent as the original trilogy and the prequels. It seemed for a while that Disney was severing ties with the era and focusing its energy on other corners of the franchise. However, Daisy Ridley is now confirmed to be coming back as Rey Skywalker in another movie. But, until that lands, the Star Wars timeline ends here for now.
As I mentioned earlier, the sequels haven't been fleshed out with other shows and movies to anywhere near the same extent as the original trilogy and the prequels. It seemed for a while that Disney was severing ties with the era and focusing its energy on other corners of the franchise. However, Daisy Ridley is now confirmed to be coming back as Rey Skywalker in another movie. But, until that lands, the Star Wars timeline ends here for now.
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