The Star Wars franchise comprises eleven live-action films and one animated feature released between 1977 and 2019, spanning three trilogies and two anthology spin-offs that collectively define the Skywalker Saga and adjacent galactic history.
Navigating the correct viewing order presents distinct considerations for newcomers, with options ranging from release sequence to strict in-universe chronology. Each approach offers specific narrative advantages, while the franchise’s expansion into Disney+ series during 2024 has shifted focus away from theatrical releases.
Complete List of Star Wars Movies in Release Order
The franchise encompasses nine episodic Skywalker Saga films alongside two live-action anthology entries and one animated theatrical release. Star Wars Movies – Complete Release and Chronological Order provides additional viewing guidance.
- The original trilogy began with A New Hope on 25 May 1977, establishing the franchise’s cultural footprint
- George Lucas directed six of the nine saga films, including the complete prequel trilogy (1999–2005)
- The sequel trilogy (2015–2019) was helmed by J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson
- Spin-off films Rogue One (2016) and Solo (2018) expand canonical events without featuring episode numbers
- The 2008 animated Clone Wars film serves as a bridge between Episodes II and III
- Runtimes range from 121 minutes (A New Hope) to 155 minutes (The Rise of Skywalker)
| Episode/Film | Release Year | Director | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode IV – A New Hope | 1977 | George Lucas | 121 min |
| Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 | Irvin Kershner | 124 min |
| Episode VI – Return of the Jedi | 1983 | Richard Marquand | 132 min |
| Episode I – The Phantom Menace | 1999 | George Lucas | 133 min |
| Episode II – Attack of the Clones | 2002 | George Lucas | 142 min |
| Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | 2005 | George Lucas | 140 min |
| Episode VII – The Force Awakens | 2015 | J.J. Abrams | 138 min |
| Episode VIII – The Last Jedi | 2017 | Rian Johnson | 152 min |
| Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 | J.J. Abrams | 155 min |
| Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | 2016 | Gareth Edwards | 133 min |
| Solo: A Star Wars Story | 2018 | Ron Howard | 135 min |
The 2008 animated feature Star Wars: The Clone Wars (directed by Dave Filoni) is excluded from this live-action tally but remains canonical, fitting between Episodes II and III as noted by Space.com.
What Is the Best Order to Watch Star Wars Movies?
Viewing preferences divide primarily between release order, which preserves narrative surprises as experienced by original audiences, and chronological order, which follows the in-universe timeline from the fall of the Republic through the rise of the First Order. Rotten Tomatoes maintains that release sequence remains optimal for first-time viewers.
Release Order (1977–2019)
This sequence mirrors historical theatrical distribution: Episodes IV, V, VI (Original Trilogy), followed by I, II, III (Prequel Trilogy), then VII, VIII, IX (Sequel Trilogy), with Rogue One and Solo inserted by their release dates (2016 and 2018). This approach preserves the 1980 revelation regarding Darth Vader’s identity and maintains the structural integrity of the original trilogy’s storytelling.
Release order protects major plot twists from the original trilogy that chronological viewing would reveal prematurely. This sequence remains the standard recommendation from Wishes and Wayfinding and other specialist guides.
Chronological Order (In-Universe Timeline)
Arranged by galactic timeline using BBY (Before Battle of Yavin) and ABY (After Battle of Yavin) dating, this order runs: Episodes I–III, The Clone Wars (22–19 BBY), Solo (13–10 BBY), Rogue One (0 BBY), Episodes IV–VI (0–4 ABY), and Episodes VII–IX (34–35 ABY). While this provides coherent historical progression, it sacrifices the original trilogy’s dramatic reveals.
Rogue One concludes immediately before A New Hope, creating a seamless transition into the original trilogy. Solo explores events roughly a decade prior to A New Hope, detailing the smuggler’s early years according to Wikipedia’s Star Wars filmography.
The Machete Order
This fan-devised hybrid (not officially endorsed) suggests viewing Episodes IV and V, then the prequel trilogy (I–III) as a flashback after the reveal in The Empire Strikes Back, before concluding with Return of the Jedi and the sequel trilogy. Proponents argue this structure enhances character development, though it excludes Episode I entirely in some variations.
Star Wars Spin-Off Movies Explained
Beyond the numbered episodic saga, Lucasfilm and Disney produced standalone anthology films expanding specific historical periods or character backstories. These entries maintain full canonical status while requiring no prior knowledge of the main trilogies, though narrative connections enrich the viewing experience.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Directed by Gareth Edwards, this film depicts the Rebel Alliance’s theft of Death Star plans immediately preceding A New Hope. Set in 0 BBY, it concludes with a direct narrative bridge into the 1977 original, featuring characters and locations that establish the original trilogy’s conflict.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Ron Howard’s heist-western hybrid explores Han Solo’s origins during 13–10 BBY, detailing his acquisition of the Millennium Falcon and first encounters with Chewbacca. Despite underperforming commercially, it remains the only live-action Star Wars film focused entirely on a single character’s early biography.
The Clone Wars (2008)
This animated theatrical release, directed by Dave Filoni and produced by Lucasfilm Animation, serves as both a standalone story and the pilot for the subsequent television series. Set between Episodes II and III, it chronicles the Grand Army of the Republic’s campaigns against Separatist forces during the Clone Wars.
Key Background on Star Wars Movies
When Was the First Star Wars Movie Released?
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope premiered in the United States on 25 May 1977, eventually adopting the episode numbering with the 1981 re-release of The Empire Strikes Back. This date marks the beginning of what would become a multi-billion dollar franchise, as documented by Rotten Tomatoes.
George Lucas began developing Star Wars in the early 1970s, with principal photography for the original film concluding in 1976. The gap between Return of the Jedi (1983) and The Phantom Menace (1999) spanned sixteen years, the longest hiatus in the franchise’s cinematic history.
Who Directed the Star Wars Movies?
George Lucas directed the original trilogy’s first installment and all three prequel films, establishing the franchise’s visual and narrative foundation. Irvin Kershner helmed The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Richard Marquand directed Return of the Jedi (1983). The sequel trilogy split between J.J. Abrams (The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker) and Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi), while anthology films brought in Gareth Edwards, Ron Howard, and animation director Dave Filoni.
Star Wars Movie Release Timeline
- : Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope – George Lucas
- : Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back – Irvin Kershner
- : Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi – Richard Marquand
- : Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – George Lucas
- : Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones – George Lucas
- : Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith – George Lucas
- : Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Dave Filoni (animated)
- : Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens – J.J. Abrams
- : Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – Gareth Edwards
- : Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi – Rian Johnson
- : Solo: A Star Wars Story – Ron Howard
- : Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker – J.J. Abrams
No theatrical releases occurred during 2024, marking a strategic pivot toward Disney+ series including The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew. The next confirmed theatrical release, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is scheduled for 22 May 2026.
What Is Certain About the Star Wars Canon?
| Established Information | Remaining Uncertainties |
|---|---|
| Eleven live-action films and one animated feature constitute the theatrical canon | Beyond 2027’s Star Wars: Starfighter, theatrical release schedules remain unconfirmed |
| All release dates, directors, and runtimes are verified via Lucasfilm archives | The development status of the Rey-focused New Jedi Order project lacks official dating |
| The Skywalker Saga concluded with The Rise of Skywalker in December 2019 | Dawn of the Jedi is confirmed but without specified release timeframe |
| Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, assuming production control from 2015 onward | Exact directorial attachments for 2026–2027 projects remain provisional |
How Did the Star Wars Franchise Evolve?
Beginning as a single space opera in 1977, the franchise expanded through the 1980s into a trilogy that defined blockbuster cinema. The prequel trilogy (1999–2005) shifted focus to political tragedy and digital effects, while Disney’s 2012 acquisition enabled a sequel trilogy that concluded the Skywalker narrative. The subsequent pivot to streaming series during 2024 represents the first extended period without theatrical Star Wars content since the franchise’s inception.
Star Wars Movies – Complete Release and Chronological Order tracks these evolutionary phases through comprehensive chronological indexing.
Where Does This Information Come From?
Release data and directorial credits derive from Lucasfilm official records via StarWars.com, with additional verification through Wikipedia’s comprehensive filmography and industry databases. Timeline ordering follows the BBY/ABY dating system established in expanded universe materials now maintained under Disney’s unified canon policy.
Box office figures and production details reference Radio Times and Rotten Tomatoes, while upcoming release information draws from verified announcements regarding The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) and Starfighter (2027).
Summary
The Star Wars filmography encompasses eleven live-action features and one animated movie released between 1977 and 2019, viewable either by theatrical release order (preserving narrative surprises) or galactic timeline (providing historical coherence). With no 2024 theatrical releases and the next confirmed film scheduled for 2026, the franchise currently emphasises streaming content while maintaining its cinematic legacy. Star Wars Movies – Complete Release and Chronological Order provides additional reference materials for franchise navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Star Wars movies are there?
There are eleven live-action Star Wars films—the nine episodes of the Skywalker Saga plus two spin-offs (Rogue One and Solo)—alongside the 2008 animated Clone Wars feature.
What are the upcoming Star Wars movies?
The Mandalorian and Grogu is scheduled for 22 May 2026, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter on 28 May 2027. A Dawn of the Jedi film and a Rey-focused New Jedi Order project are in development without confirmed dates.
Is Solo a Star Wars movie?
Yes, Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) is a canonical anthology film exploring Han Solo’s origins, though it carries no episode number.
What is the longest Star Wars movie?
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) holds the longest runtime at 155 minutes, followed by The Last Jedi at 152 minutes.
Which Star Wars film should I watch first?
A New Hope (1977) remains the recommended starting point for first-time viewers to preserve the original trilogy’s narrative impact and structural revelations.
Are the Star Wars spin-offs essential viewing?
While not required for understanding the Skywalker Saga, Rogue One and Solo provide narrative enrichment and context for the original trilogy’s events.
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