Navigating the galaxy of Star Wars movies presents a structural dilemma for newcomers and returning viewers alike. With eleven live-action theatrical releases spanning four decades, the franchise offers distinct pathways through its space opera narrative depending on whether one prioritises historical release impact or in-universe chronology.
This examination details every canonical film, presenting both theatrical release order and galactic timeline sequencing. From the groundbreaking 1977 original to the 2019 sequel trilogy conclusion, and including the standalone anthology stories, we outline runtimes, critical reception metrics, and official canon status based on studio documentation and aggregate review data.
Understanding the structural differences between viewing approaches ensures optimal narrative comprehension, particularly regarding the placement of spin-off features that interpolate between main saga episodes.
What is the best order to watch Star Wars movies?
11 live-action (9 saga episodes + 2 spin-offs)
1977 (A New Hope)
The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 2026)
- Trilogy Structure: The saga comprises three distinct trilogies—prequel (Episodes I–III), original (Episodes IV–VI), and sequel (Episodes VII–IX)—plus two canonical spin-offs.
- Critical Peak: The Empire Strikes Back holds the highest Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score at 94%, with a 97% audience rating.
- Chronological Start: Timeline order commences with 1999’s The Phantom Menace (32 BBY), not the 1977 original.
- Canon Uniformity: All post-2014 releases fall under Disney’s unified canon policy, superseding previous Expanded Universe material now designated Legends.
- Runtime Variance: The longest film, The Rise of Skywalker, runs 155 minutes; the shortest, A New Hope, runs 121 minutes.
- Animation Bridge: The 2008 animated Clone Wars feature fits between Episodes II and III but is predominantly grouped with television series content.
- Future Slate: Two theatrical releases are scheduled for 2026 and 2027, marking the franchise’s return to cinemas after a seven-year hiatus.
| Film | Release Year | Runtime | Tomatometer | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope | 1977 | 121 min | 93% | Saga (Original) |
| Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 | 124 min | 94% | Saga (Original) |
| Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi | 1983 | 131 min | 83% | Saga (Original) |
| Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | 1999 | 136 min | 52% | Saga (Prequel) |
| Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones | 2002 | 142 min | 65% | Saga (Prequel) |
| Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | 2005 | 140 min | 79% | Saga (Prequel) |
| Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens | 2015 | 138 min | 93% | Saga (Sequel) |
| Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | 2016 | 133 min | 84% | Spin-off |
| Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi | 2017 | 152 min | 91% | Saga (Sequel) |
| Solo: A Star Wars Story | 2018 | 135 min | 70% | Spin-off |
| Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 | 155 min | 52% | Saga (Sequel) |
What order should I watch the Star Wars saga?
Two primary sequencing methods exist. Release order preserves the original narrative revelations and cinematic history, beginning with the 1977 original trilogy. Chronological order follows the in-universe timeline from the prequel era through the sequel trilogy, placing The Phantom Menace first and The Rise of Skywalker last. Each approach offers distinct dramatic advantages regarding plot twists and character development arcs.
How to watch Star Wars for the first time?
First-time viewers seeking the traditional experience should adopt release order (IV, V, VI, I, II, III, VII, VIII, IX), inserting spin-offs optionally after completing the main saga. Those prioritising narrative coherence may prefer chronological order, though this reveals major plot points prematurely. The Radio Times comprehensive guide provides additional placement strategies for the anthology films. For a detailed breakdown of both approaches, consult our Star Wars Movies – Release and Chronological Order companion resource.
List of all Star Wars movies in release order
How many Star Wars movies are there?
Eleven live-action theatrical releases constitute the current official canon, confirmed by Wikipedia’s comprehensive filmography and Lucasfilm’s post-2014 canon reset. This total encompasses nine episodic saga films and two standalone anthology features.
The Original Trilogy (1977–1983)
George Lucas’s space fantasy debuted on 25 May 1977 with Episode IV – A New Hope, establishing the Rebel Alliance versus Galactic Empire conflict. Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back followed in 1980, deepening character relationships and introducing pivotal revelations. The trilogy concluded in 1983 with Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, resolving the original narrative arc.
The Prequel Trilogy (1999–2005)
Sixteen years after Return of the Jedi, the franchise returned with Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), documenting the Galactic Republic’s final years. Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) chronicled the Clone Wars and Anakin Skywalker’s transformation.
Rogue One (2016) directly precedes A New Hope in the in-universe timeline, while Solo (2018) occupies the period between Revenge of the Sith and the original trilogy, specifically 13–10 BBY.
Are there any Star Wars spin-off movies?
Two canonical spin-off features exist beyond the main saga. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story details the theft of the Death Star plans, while Solo: A Star Wars Story explores Han Solo’s early career. Both maintain full canonical status within the Disney-era timeline whilst functioning as standalone narratives requiring no prior viewing of other instalments, though narrative connections enhance appreciation.
Star Wars movie timeline and chronological order
What is the Star Wars movie timeline?
The in-universe chronology utilises the Battle of Yavin as a central dating mechanism (BBY/ABY). The timeline commences with the prequel era (32–19 BBY), progresses through the Imperial Period (19–0 BBY), continues through the Galactic Civil War (0–4 ABY), and extends into the New Republic era and beyond (34–35 ABY). The PopVerse chronological analysis provides detailed placement of streaming series within this framework.
- Episode I – The Phantom Menace (32 BBY)
- Episode II – Attack of the Clones (22 BBY)
- Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (19 BBY)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (13–10 BBY)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (0 BBY)
- Episode IV – A New Hope (0 BBY/0 ABY)
- Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (3 ABY)
- Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (4 ABY)
- Episode VII – The Force Awakens (34 ABY)
- Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (34 ABY)
- Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (35 ABY)
Extending the timeline through television
Contemporary canon incorporates Disney+ series between theatrical releases. The Bad Batch and Obi-Wan Kenobi bridge the prequel-original gap, whilst The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka populate the post-Return of the Jedi era preceding the sequel trilogy. Space.com’s ordering guide details these integrations. For comprehensive sequencing that includes television content, see our Star Wars Movies – Complete Release and Chronological Order reference.
Star Wars movies ranked from best to worst
Critical reception and aggregate scores
Aggregate review data from Rotten Tomatoes editorial rankings positions The Empire Strikes Back (94%) and A New Hope (93%) as the highest-rated entries. The sequel trilogy opener The Force Awakens matches the original’s 93% Tomatometer score, whilst The Rise of Skywalker and The Phantom Menace share the lowest critic ratings at 52%.
The Empire Strikes Back maintains the highest combined critical and audience acceptance, with a 94% Tomatometer score and 97% audience rating, representing the franchise’s consensus zenith according to aggregate review data.
The Last Jedi received a 91% Tomatometer score but only 42% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating significant polarisation between professional critics and general viewership.
IMDb user rankings
User-generated rankings on IMDb align closely with critical aggregates, with The Empire Strikes Back maintaining an 8.7/10 average, followed by A New Hope at 8.6/10. The prequel trilogy occupies the lower tier of user preferences, though Revenge of the Sith (79%) outperforms its predecessors significantly in critical reassessment.
Star Wars movies by release date
- : 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: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
- : Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
- : Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
- : Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
- : Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- : Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
- : Solo: A Star Wars Story
- : Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
No theatrical releases occurred between December 2019 and the present, marking the longest gap in the franchise’s cinematic history since the Disney acquisition.
What is confirmed about future Star Wars films?
| Established Information | Uncertain or Developing |
|---|---|
| Nine saga episodes (I–IX) constitute the definitive Skywalker narrative backbone. | Plot specifics for The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 2026) remain undisclosed. |
| Two spin-off features (Rogue One, Solo) maintain full canonical status. | Star Wars: Starfighter (May 2027) premise and creative team unconfirmed. |
| All post-2014 material follows unified continuity guidelines. | Additional untitled theatrical projects remain in development hell or pre-production. |
| The Clone Wars (2008) serves as canonical bridge material. | Status of previously announced “Dawn of the Jedi” era projects currently unknown. |
How has the Star Wars franchise evolved?
The franchise’s trajectory shifted fundamentally following Disney’s 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm. The subsequent 2014 canon reset reorganised continuity, relegating previous Expanded Universe material to Legends status whilst mandating that all new releases—films, television, and literature—maintain strict narrative coherence.
This centralisation coincided with a strategic pivot toward streaming integration. Theatrical releases now function alongside Disney+ series such as The Mandalorian and Andor, creating a transmedia narrative requiring cross-platform consumption for complete comprehension. Official StarWars.com guidance emphasises this integrated approach.
The forthcoming 2026 theatrical return with The Mandalorian & Grogu represents a hybridisation of these strategies, translating streaming success back to cinema whilst the saga evaluates future directions beyond the Skywalker lineage.
Sources and documentation
All are canon within the official Disney-era timeline (post-2014 acquisition).
The Mandalorian & Grogu (22 May 2026) – live-action film continuing Mandalorian storyline.
Complete guide summary
The Star Wars cinematic canon comprises eleven live-action films offering two primary viewing sequences: theatrical release order preserving historical narrative impact, or chronological order following in-universe galactic history from 32 BBY through 35 ABY. With confirmed theatrical releases scheduled for 2026 and 2027, the franchise expands beyond the Skywalker saga whilst maintaining strict continuity standards.
Frequently asked questions
How many Star Wars movies are there?
Eleven live-action theatrical films currently constitute the official canon: nine main saga episodes and two standalone spin-offs.
Are there any Star Wars spin-off movies?
Yes, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) are canonical spin-off features.
Which Star Wars film has the longest runtime?
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) holds the longest runtime at 155 minutes.
What is the highest-rated Star Wars film?
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) holds the highest Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score at 94%.
When is the next Star Wars film being released?
The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled for theatrical release on 22 May 2026, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter on 28 May 2027.
Are all Star Wars movies part of the official canon?
All eleven live-action theatrical releases from 1977–2019 are canonical. The 2008 Clone Wars animated film also holds canonical status.
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