One of the most highly-anticipated Star Wars TV shows is about to premiere THIS WEEK on Disney+.
That’s right — we’re talking about Obi-Wan Kenobi, which will tell us a new story about one of the galaxy’s most famous Jedi Knights. However, if you’re not familiar with some of Obi-Wan’s rich history, you’ll want to get caught up fast. But how? Well, here’s everything you should watch to be ready.
Note that we’ve listed all these movies and shows in chronological order, based on when events happen in the Star Wars timeline.
1. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
We’re starting at the beginning of Obi-Wan’s journey, when he was just a young Padawan, learning under the tutelage of Master Qui-Gon Jinn. This movie not only shows us a young Obi-Wan Kenobi but also features his first meeting with an even younger Anakin Skywalker, who will eventually become Darth Vader, Obi-Wan’s nemesis.
As we know, Darth Vader will be appearing in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, so seeing how the two first met is a must for understanding where and why Obi-Wan is where he is at the beginning of the new show.
2. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Obi-Wan’s journey continues in the following movie, Attack of the Clones, which reunites Obi-Wan with an older Anakin Skywalker. In this film, Obi-Wan has become a Jedi Master and takes Anakin under his wing as his apprentice, although most of the Jedi Council frowns upon it.
This is the film that also shows how the Jedi Order potentially failed Anakin, which eventually leads him to the Dark Side. This is also the film where we see that Obi-Wan and Anakin have forged a strong bond of brotherhood through their adventures and Anakin’s Jedi training.
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (The Movie)
The battle against the clones plays an important part in both Obi-Wan and Anakin’s character development, so that leads us to our next recommendation, which is the animated The Clone Wars movie from 2008. In this film, Obi-Wan and Anakin lead a small battalion of clones against Count Dooku and his army.
This is when the two meet Ahsoka Tano, who becomes Anakin’s apprentice, and is also an important part of the story between the two characters.
4. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (The Series)
That film launched an animated series with seven seasons (so you’ve got some serious binge-watching to do). However, the series is very important for understanding what’s going to happen in Obi-Wan Kenobi, as it further establishes the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin. There are also a lot of hints given about Anakin’s eventual turn to the Dark Side.
More importantly, there’s a story of unrequited love in this series that is important in understanding Obi-Wan in a completely different way. We don’t know if this will be brought up in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, but it might.
The final season of The Clone Wars also covers Order 66, the famed order given by the Emperor that was meant to kill every Jedi in the galaxy — the very reason why Obi-Wan becomes Ben and goes into hiding. (Chronologically speaking, this final season takes place AFTER Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith).
5. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
The final installment in what we’ve seen of Obi-Wan’s life so far happens in Revenge of the Sith, as he witnesses the game-changing events that will set him on his path in the new TV series. Here is where we see the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire.
But it is also here where we see the birth of both Luke and Leia, as well as the events that finally turn Anakin to the Dark Side for good to become one of the most infamous Sith of all time, Darth Vader. This is the story that happens just before the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
6. Star Wars: A New Hope
So here’s a bonus movie for you to watch either before — or even after — the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. If you want to see how things turn out for the Jedi, this movie is his last appearance in the Star Wars universe.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi series will likely offer some foreshadowing of the events to come from this movie, so watching it ahead of time might help you catch those hints. Just note that in this film, the role is portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness, the first actor to play the character.
All these movies and TV shows are currently available on Disney+. In the meantime, Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres on the streaming service on May 27th.
But wait Star Wars fans — there’s more! The Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim is happening this weekend and we’ll be there to give you updates. Stay tuned to AllEars if you want to follow along!
Why You Won’t Want to Miss Disney+’s ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’
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Have you seen all these movies and TV shows? What do you expect to see in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series? Let us know in the comments!
“6. Star Wars: A New Hope
So here’s a bonus movie for you to watch either before — or even after — the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. If you want to see how things turn out for the Jedi, this movie is his last appearance in the Star Wars universe.”
Not true! Obi-Wan appears in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He may appear as a (spoiler alert) Force ghost in both films, but his appearances in both films are crucial plot points.