Lucasfilm, producer of all three "Star Wars" trilogies, likes to release films out of order...a lot. So much so, in fact, that there’s a 22-year gap between "Star Wars" Episodes VI and VII. Not to mention the spin-off films that don’t really seem to fit anywhere in the canon. For the "Star Wars" novice, the sheer quantity of the original films and their chronology can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve put together an easy timeline. Now you'll be ahead of the game for when the next "Star Wars" film, "Solo: A Star Wars Story," is released May 25.
Here’s the chronological timeline of when each individual film was released in theaters (including the planned release for 2019).
- "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" (1977)
- "Star Wars: Episode V –The Empire Strikes Back" (1980)
- "Star Wars: Episode VI –Return of the Jedi" (1983)
- "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" (1999)
- "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones" (2002)
- "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith" (2005)
- "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008)
- "Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens" (2015)
- "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016)
- "Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi" (2017)
- "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (2018)
- "Star Wars: Episode IX" (2019)
If you want to watch the films as they happen chronologically, you can watch them starting with Episode I. There are quite a few different theories about which order is the best to watch the "Star Wars" films in, but I think watching in episode order makes the most sense. Mostly because watching Episodes I-III prepares you for IV-VI, and this trilogy can be a bit confusing with no backstory. Below, I've summarized the major plot points of each film just in case, you know, you don’t feel like watching all 10 movies to catch up anytime soon. Spoilers ahead, obviously.
1. "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (2018)
While "Solo: A Star Wars Story" isn't directly related to the "Star Wars" canon and serves as a standalone film, it takes place prior to the rest of the films in the franchise. A part of the "Star Wars" Anthology Film Series, this one follows a young Han Solo and Chewbacca in their adventures.
2. "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" (1999)
The events in "The Phantom Menace" are the first to occur in the "Star Wars" series, so start here if you’re beginning the series for the first time. As a reference point, the events here happen 32 years prior to Episode IV (the first "Star Wars" movie made). In this film, we follow Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as they work with Queen Amidala to settle a trade dispute and battle against the evil Sith warriors.
3. "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones" (2002)
Episode II occurs 10 years after Episode I, or 22 years prior to Episode IV. In this film, the entire galaxy is threatened by civil war (also known as the Clone Wars). Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker continue to work together to protect both the galaxy and Senator Padmé Amidala, who joins the Galactic Senate after reigning as queen.
4. "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008)
"The Clone Wars" is a bit of a one-off from the rest of the series since it's animated and isn’t a real Lucasfilm production. Think of it as the fan-fiction version of a "Star Wars" film, like "Lion King 1 ½." This takes place during the three-year period between the onset of the Clone Wars (so, the end of Episode II) and Episode III.
5. "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith" (2005)
Set three years after the onset of the Clone Wars (or three years after Episode II), "Revenge of the Sith" centers around galactic warfare of the Jedi Knights and Separatist Army, an independent confederate group who wanted independence from the rest of the galaxy. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker becomes close to an infamous Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, which threatens the Jedi Order.
6. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016)
Another standalone film in the "Star Wars" Anthology Film Series and set immediately before the events of "A New Hope," this film follows a group of rebels (who are against the Separatist Army) on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, an epic space station that can travel faster than the speed of light.
7. "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" (1977)
Originally titled simply "Star Wars," "A New Hope" takes place 19 years after the events of Episode III, long after the death of Padmé Amidala and after Anakin Skywalker turns into Darth Vader. The Rebel Alliance, a group who wants to restore the original, united democratic order of the Galaxy is led by Princess Leia, Padmé’s daughter. The Rebel Alliance wants to destroy the Death Star, since it's being used by Darth Vader and his cronies as an ultimate weapon of destruction.
8. "Star Wars: Episode V –The Empire Strikes Back" (1980)
Set three years after Episode IV, Darth Vader is now the leader of the entire Galactic Empire and relentlessly chases Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia to try to destroy them. Oh, and Luke is also training to be a Jedi Knight while he’s being chased across the galaxy.
9. "Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi" (1983)
Set one year after Episode V, Darth Vader is still ruler of the galaxy and starts plans to build a second Death Star to wipe out Luke, Leia and the Rebel Alliance once and for all. The Rebel Alliance pulls their resources together to thwart this attack, and Luke attempts to bring Darth Vader (his father) back from the Dark Side.
10. "Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens" (2015)
Set 30 years after Episode VI (or 66 years after Episode I), the Galactic Empire under the rule of Darth Vader has fallen, and the New Republic has been established. Some leftover separatists have established The First Order, which seeks to eliminate the New Republic, led by Leia. Also, Luke Skywalker goes missing.
11. "Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi" (2017)
Set immediately after Episode VII, this eighth installment follows Rey (who is also the main character of Episode VII), the protagonist who becomes involved in the fight against The First Order as she trains to become a Jedi Knight. The First Order is also still trying to take back power under the leadership of Kylo Ren, son of Han Solo and Leia, and grandson of Darth Vader.
12. "Star Wars: Episode IX" (2019)
Not much is known about "Star Wars: Episode IX" just yet, but there are some rumors floating around. "Star Wars" Wikia has a few ideas that you can read here.