Every ‘Star Wars’ Movie and TV Show In Chronological Order

It is an amazing time to be a Star Wars fan because not only can you live out your Star Wars dreams in Disney World and Disneyland in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but there are also a TON of TV shows, movies, video games, books, and more to keep you in a galaxy far, far away for YEARS.

However, it can all be a little confusing, especially with all the different timelines in all that media. When it comes to TV shows and movies, we’re going to break down all the Star Wars timelines and show how to watch everything in chronological order.

An Explanation of Star Wars Timelines

Star Wars tells time by using BBY and ABY, which are similar to BC/BCE and AD. BBY is Before the Battle of Yavin, which happens at the end of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. ABY is After the Battle of Yavin, so everything after that battle is in that specific timeline.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way…

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures

Now, there are also eras to consider. The Old Republic era happens around 4,000 BBY (at present, there haven’t been any TV movies or shows set in this era). Then there’s the High Republic Era, which is about 200 years before Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. That’s when Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures occurs, which is around 232 BBY.

This animated show is mostly targeted at kids, but if you want to know more about the High Republic Era, it’s a goldmine of information. The series follows Jedi Younglings learning about their galaxy and the powers they hold. You’ll also see a young Yoda in the series.

The Acolyte

Next comes the series The Acolyte, which takes place in 132 BBY, which would also put in the High Republic era, although more towards the end, right before The Skywalker Saga begins. The show picks up 100 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire during a time of peace.

The series focused on an investigation by the Jedi of crimes that hint at a new dark power. There’s only one season of the show, though, as Disney canceled it (and I’m still mad about it).

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

The beginning of the prequel trilogy takes place 32 BBY, 32 years before the Battle of Yavin. In this series, we see how a young Anakin Skywalker (who later becomes Darth Vader) becomes a member of the Jedi Order. The movie also introduces us to a young Obi-Wan Kenobi.

This film shows some important political developments that ultimately led to the rise of then-Senator Palpatine. He seemed so innocent at first…

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi

Things get tricky with Tales of the Jedi because the episodes are not chronological at all. But it begins with the first year of Ahsoka’s life on her home planet of Shill.

Other episodes follow Count Dooku and his Padawan Qui-Gon Jinn, with the final episode actually leading up to Revenge of the Sith. So, this series is technically covering multiple timelines.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

The second prequel film takes place in 22 BBY, with an older Anakin Skywalker beginning to question the Jedi Order and his place within it. In this film, he is trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi, while forming a personal attachment to Senator Amidala.

This film establishes the background for what will become The Clone Wars, a pivotal moment in the galaxy’s history. Plus, you get to see Amidala and Anakin’s secret wedding.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

The animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes place just after the second prequel film. It shows the actual battles that took place during these wars and introduces us to Ahsoka, a young Jedi who becomes the apprentice to Anakin.

However, note that the final season of The Clone Wars actually takes place during the events of the third prequel movie. This includes the implementation of Order 66, which wiped out much of the Jedi Order as the Empire took power over the galaxy. This one is a must-watch if you’re curious about that period of time.

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld

This short series follows Asaji Ventress and Cad Bane in that period between the fall of the Jedi and the rise of the Empire. The timeline puts it right at around 19 BBY, which is just before Revenge of the Sith.

The first episode, though, begins a little earlier, with a younger Ventress as a Jedi tasked to help her Master kill Count Dooku. Cad Bane’s story, on the other hand, takes place throughout his life, so it covers various timelines.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

The final prequel trilogy film shows how Anakin was tempted by the Dark Side and how he eventually becomes Darth Vader. It’s the origin story of what might be one of the best villains in Star Wars history.

However, something else important happens in this film: Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa are born and sent off to be raised by adoptive parents. It also gives us one of the most gruesome scenes in Star Wars history as Anakin’s body begins to burn on Mustafar.

The Bad Batch

The animated series, The Bad Batch, happens around 19 BBY and introduces us to some Clone Troopers who became outcasts. They band together with a young female clone, Omega, to fight the Empire.

This series shows how the Empire begins taking over the galaxy, so it’s another good story to watch if you want to know how the Empire, in its strongest form, came to be.

Maul: Shadow Lord

Oh, you thought Darth Maul actually died in The Phantom Menace? Well, if you watched The Clone Wars, you’ll know he didn’t, and his new animated series takes place around 18–17 BBY, right after the end of The Clone Wars. This is when the Empire is still shiny and new, in its formative years.

This series covers Maul rebuilding his crime syndicate while he seeks to train a new apprentice.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Before Han Solo was the Han Solo we know and love in the original trilogy, he was just a guy trying to escape Corellia to make a name for himself. Solo is an exploration of Han’s backstory and takes place around 13-10 BBY. This movie even covers Han and Chewbacca’s first meeting.

The film also introduces a young Lando Calrissian, and we learn how Han ended up with the Millennium Falcon. It also makes the “Kessel Run in 12 parsecs” statement canon.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

We all know that Obi-Wan Kenobi went into hiding soon after the events of Revenge of the Sith, but his series shows that he didn’t stay in hiding for long. In Obi-Wan Kenobi, he is tasked to protect a young and sassy Princess Leia Organa.

The series also gives him another chance to meet with his old apprentice, who is now Darth Vader.

Star Wars Rebels

The animated series Star Wars Rebels takes place around 5 BBY. The Jedi Order is gone, the Rebellion has started to build its forces, and the Empire has taken over the galaxy.

This series also sets up some of the major players we eventually see in the live-action Ahsoka series, including Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, and Grand Admiral Thrawn. This is probably one of the best animated Star Wars series to date.

Andor

Andor takes place just a few years after Star Wars Rebels in 9BBY, right before the events in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The series follows Cassian Andor and how he became a member of the Rebellion.

One thing that sets this series apart is that it shows the inner workings of the Rebellion as it begins to grow and become more organized. This series received critical and fan acclaim based on how different it was from other shows and movies.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Right after Andor, we see Cassian Andor again, working with Jyn Erso in Rogue One. The plot of this film leads directly into the original trilogy and covers how the Rebellion gets its hands on the plans for the Death Star.

In fact, the final scene of Rogue One happens JUST before the first scene in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

This is the movie that started Star Wars, and the film that ignited a franchise that’s survived almost 50 years so far. The movie takes place in 0 BBY and features classic Star Wars characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca.

The Battle of Yavin happens at the end of the film, which means we’re now going into ABY territory after this.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

The Death Star might have been destroyed, but in The Empire Strikes Back, that’s exactly what happens: the Empire strikes back at the Rebellion. The time period is 3 BBY, and includes Luke learning all about the Force from Master Yoda. Now, this isn’t the wise and serious Yoda we’re all used to. This Yoda is a bit chaotic.

Luke abandons his training to save his friends, but Han still gets frozen in carbonite, and Luke learns that Darth Vader is his father, which comes as quite a surprise.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

However, the Rebellion is strong, and in Return of the Jedi, there’s a final battle that happens on Endor, so we finally get to see the Ewoks, who are both cute and creepy. The film takes place in 4 ABY.

There’s one final battle between the Rebellion and the Empire, and the Rebellion wins. Shortly after this film is when Princess Leia and Han Solo get married (which happened in the book The Princess and the Scoundrel).

The Mandalorian

The first two seasons of The Mandalorian take place in 9 ABY. This is the series that introduced us to Grogu, the little Yoda-looking baby that can’t talk yet, but is still very strong in the Force.

Things get confusing in season 3 because it technically takes place after The Book of Boba Fett (which we’re mentioning next), so you might want to watch seasons 1 and 2 of The Mandalorian, watch The Book of Boba Fett, and then watch season 3 of The Mandalorian.

The Book of Boba Fett

The Book of Boba Fett happens around 9-11 ABY, and starts with how Boba Fett escaped certain death in the Sarlacc Pitt. Then you’ve got some background on how Boba Fett came to take on Jabba the Hutt’s criminal empire.

The end of The Book of Boba Fett happens to go back to The Mandalorian and has events that lead directly into season 3 of that show, so it gets a little confusing.

The Mandalorian and Grogu

The upcoming movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, takes place after season 3 of The Mandalorian, placing it around 9 ABY. The film continues the story of Din Djarin and Grogu, with Grogu having turned his back on Jedi Training to stay with the Mandalorian.

This would also be about the time that Luke Skywalker established the Jedi Order, as the remaining Imperial forces remain scattered after the Empire’s defeat.

The Skeleton Crew

The Skeleton Crew is a one-off series that takes place around 9 ABY. It follows a crew of children who accidentally go off into space in a spaceship and must work with a mysterious man to try and find their way home.

During their adventures, they meet some interesting characters and learn more about themselves. This show is less about the politics of Star Wars and more about the adventurous side of the franchise.

Ahsoka

The third season of The Mandalorian set up the first season of the live-action Ahsoka series, which happens around 11 ABY. The series is also a continuation of the story in The Clone Wars, as Ahsoka is looking for Ezra Bridger, who went missing at the end of the animated series.

Ahsoka finds Ezra, but also discovers that Admiral General Thrawn is amassing his own forces, even after the fall of the Empire. Disney has not yet confirmed what season 2 of Ahsoka will cover, but the timeline should be around the same.

Star Wars Resistance

Star Wars Resistance is a little-known animated series that leads up to the events of the sequel trilogy of The Skywalker Saga. The show even introduces characters from those films, including Captain Phasma, BB-8, and Poe Dameron.

The series picks up around 34-35 ABY when the First Order has begun to claim power in the galaxy, while rebels join the Resistance in an effort to stop it.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

That leads us directly into The Force Awakens, which happens around 34 BBY. The First Order is in power, and the Resistance has started to grow, with General Leia Organa leading the charge.

This film also introduces us to Rey, as well as Kylo Ren (aka Ben Solo, the son of Han and Leia), two key players in the events that happen in the following two films.

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

The next film in the sequel trilogy is The Last Jedi, which happens around 34 ABY. This film follows Rey as she takes on Jedi training with none other than Luke Skywalker, who has become something of a grumpy hermit.

There’s also a misguided quest, and some new characters are introduced to both the First Order and the Resistance, setting up for the grand finale of the last film in the trilogy.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

The Rise of Skywalker begins shortly after the previous movie, around 35 BBY. The movie brings back Palpatine and even proves that there may be a redemption arc for Kylo Ren.

By the end of the movie, The Skywalker Saga is over, with Rey declaring herself a Skywalker. This movie also says goodbye to Leia after the loss of actress Carrie Fisher who portrayed her.

Untitled Movie

The Skywalker saga was reportedly set to return with a new movie about Rey that would take place after the sequel trilogy. However, the film has been delayed, although Disney has not confirmed that it’s been canceled.

Daisy Ridley was set to return as Rey, with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy as director. The film would follow the “New Jedi Order.” But again, there’s no word as to whether this film is happening or not.

Star Wars: Starfighter

However, the Ryan Gosling-led Star Wars: Starfighter movie is still happening, and will take place around 40 ABY, about five years after the events in The Rise of Skywalker. The film is a standalone story, so there won’t be any Skywalkers present. It follows a solitary pilot on a special mission in a galaxy that is still rebuilding.

The exact plot of the film is still under lock and key, but we can imagine that it will deal with new and emerging threats to a galaxy that’s trying to repair itself.

Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars Trilogy

Simon Kinberg is busy working on a new trilogy that will bring new stories, characters, and settings to the Star Wars universe. The project is so new, though, that we don’t yet know where it will fit in the timeline, but it is reportedly set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker.

Although we haven’t heard much about this trilogy recently, Disney recently confirmed it is still in development.

We have to note that there are a ton of Star Wars projects that are either on hold or completely canceled. The upcoming projects listed here are ones that have been confirmed recently.

Stay tuned to AllEars for more Star Wars news and stories!

Disney Cruise Line: Star Wars Day at Sea — Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever tried watching the Star Wars movies and TV shows in chronological order? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Post a Comment