How to watch Star Wars: a chronology of all films and series

The movie universe about a "galaxy far, far away" started back in the mid-1970s. Since then, about a dozen feature films and about the same number of cartoons and series have been released on large and small screens. Today, it is very difficult for an unprepared viewer to figure out what exactly needs to be seen first of all, what is important only for ardent fans, and what is better to skip at all.

Lifehacker talks about all the projects in the Star Wars world, dividing them into several categories. And for those who want to watch movies and TV shows not in order of release, but in chronological order, there is a separate list at the end.

The main series of films to get to know the world of Star Wars

If you don't know anything about this universe and want to read only the most important stories, just look at these nine paintings. They are divided into three trilogies.

Star Wars Episode 4 - "A New Hope"

Star Wars. Episode IV: A New Hope

• USA, 1977.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 121 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.6.

A galaxy far, far away has been conquered by the cruel Emperor Palpatine and his assistant Darth Vader. The resistance is almost crushed, but the rebels have a new hope - a young Luke Skywalker, who can revive the order of powerful Jedi warriors.

This is the movie that started the story of Star Wars. Young director and screenwriter George Lucas decided to mix Western aesthetics, samurai films and space fantasy. The result is a picture that captivated millions of viewers of all ages.

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Star Wars Episode 5 - "The Empire Strikes Back"

Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back

• USA, UK, 1980.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 124 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.7.

In the first film, the rebels destroyed the empire's most powerful weapon, the Death Star. But the battle for freedom continues, and Luke goes to study with Master Yoda.

This film is still the most highly acclaimed feature-length Star Wars movie ever made. It is in the film "The Empire Strikes Back" that the legendary duel between Luke and Darth Vader takes place, in which the villain reveals to the hero a frightening the truth.

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Star Wars Episode VI - "Return of the Jedi"

Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi

• USA, UK, 1983.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.3.

The forces of the empire create a second Death Star, even more powerful than the previous one. Luke, Princess Leia and their friends must rescue their comrade Han Solo before heading to Endor. It is there that the final battle with evil will take place.

Some fans did not like the logic of this film. It turned out that the imperial troops, considered almost invincible, lost to the Ewoks - a people of natives who fought with sticks and stones. But still, the happy ending of the story turned out to be very successful.

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Star Wars Episode I - "The Phantom Menace"

Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace

• USA, 1999.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 136 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.5.

Representatives of the trade federation, wanting to get away from taxes, attack the planet Naboo. To sort out the situation, the leadership of the Republic sends two Jedi: Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. On the planet Tatooine, they find a young Anakin Skywalker with unusual powers.

15 years after the end of the main franchise, George Lucas is bringing Star Wars back to the screen with a series of prequels. In these parts, he decided to show the formation of the future Darth Vader and the transformation of a prosperous Republic into an Empire.

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Star Wars Episode II – "Attack of the Clones"

Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones

• USA, 2002
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 142 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

10 years after the events of the first episode, a grown-up Anakin is learning the art from Obi-Wan Kenobi. The young man must protect Princess Amidala from assassination attempts by the separatists. And his mentor goes to a distant planet in order to attract to his side an army of clones, which was once created by one of the Jedi.

It was this film that marked the transition of cinema to a new era. "Attack of the Clones" is the second picture shot entirely on digital cameras (the first was "Vidok"). Also in the film used a lot of computer models of different characters. For example, Master Yoda is fully drawn here.

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Star Wars Episode III - "Revenge of the Sith"

Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith

• USA, 2005
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 140 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.5.

Across the galaxy, battles continue between Republic clones and Separatist-controlled droids. But in parallel, Anakin is trying to secure his beloved Padmé, sensing that something is threatening her. This is what inclines the hero to the dark side.

The final part of this trilogy, as expected, turned out to be the darkest and most cruel. It showed the final transformation of Anakin into a villain, as well as the collapse of the Republic and the destruction of most of the Jedi.

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Star Wars Episode VII "The Force Awakens"

Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens

• USA, 2015.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 138 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

30 years have passed since the death of the Emperor and Darth Vader. However, the galaxy never freed itself from tyranny. It is now run by the First Order under Supreme Leader Snoke and his aide Kylo Ren. Young orphan Rey, former stormtrooper Finn and pilot Poe Dameron must destroy the planet-destroying Starkiller Base. Han Solo and Chewbacca will help them with this.

Star Wars returned to the screens already in the mid-2010s, and George Lucas was almost no longer involved in the production of paintings. Essentially, The Force Awakens follows the plot of A New Hope and The Phantom Menace. But the new level of special effects and the return of familiar characters captivated fans.

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Star Wars Episode VIII - "The Last Jedi"

Star Wars: Episode VIII—The Last Jedi

• USA, 2017.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 152 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.9.

After the powers of the Jedi awakened in Rey, she goes to learn the skill from Luke Skywalker. Meanwhile, the resistance, led by Princess Leia, with the last of her strength, opposes the forces of the First Order.

The second part of the trilogy divided fans into two camps. The thing is that the new director Rian Johnson has moved away from the traditional plot structure a little, adding irony and deconstruction to Star Wars. Some people were pleased with the new look, while others were disappointed.

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Star Wars Episode IX - "The Skywalker" Sunrise

Star Wars: Episode IX—The Rise of Skywalker

• USA, 2019.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 141 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.5.

In a strange way, it turns out that Emperor Palpatine survived and secretly led the First Order all this time. To finally defeat him, Rey needs to convince Kylo Ren to switch to the light side. Otherwise, all resistance is threatened with complete annihilation.

Of course, the main plot twists with the return of the emperor and the origin of Rei turned out to be as far-fetched as possible. However, in this way the authors completed The Skywalker Saga, which includes all nine of the films listed above.

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Spin-offs and series that better immerse you in the world of the franchise

These projects will help you learn more about local conflicts, minor characters and the development of the world between the events of the main series.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

• United States, 2008–2020.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

Animated series tells about the entire period of the life of the galaxy between the "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith". Anakin has a Padawan (student) named Ahsoka Tano. Together with Obi-Wan Kenobi, other Jedi and an army of clones, the heroes fight against the Separatists.

The project started with a full-length cartoon (essentially an extended pilot episode). Like the plot of the main films, the series darkens with each season. And its ending unfolds in parallel with the events of Revenge of the Sith. And at the same time leads to the next project "The Defective Batch".

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Stories

Rogue One

• USA, 2016.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 133 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

Fighting against the troops of the Empire, the rebels are gathering a squad that must complete the most important and dangerous task - to steal the blueprints of the Death Star.

For years, fans of the franchise have marveled at the ease with which the Resistance managed to detonate the most powerful weapon in the galaxy. Rogue One clarifies this issue: it turns out that the gap in the defense was left on purpose. And the film ends exactly at the moment from which A New Hope begins.

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Han Solo. Star Wars. Stories

Solo: A Star Wars Story

• USA, 2018.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 135 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.9.

Six years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, young pilot Han and his girlfriend Qi'ra are trying to escape from Lady Proxima's crime syndicate. The young man escapes, but the bandits grab the girl. A few years later, the hero meets his future Wookiee partner Chewbacca and becomes a criminal himself. But then Khan meets Qi'ra again.

Disney planned a whole series of prequels about individual characters. Including Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, Han Solo was not received very warmly, and they decided to turn all future projects into series.

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The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian

• United States, 2019 - present.
• Fantasy, thriller, adventure.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

After the events of Return of the Jedi, a bounty hunter from the planet Mandalore takes on another job. But suddenly, a small creature falls into his hands, which literally everyone is looking for.

Ironically, the first game series in the world of Star Wars appeared only in 2019. And it became an outlet for fans of the franchise. The project brought back the atmosphere of classic films. And in the second season, familiar characters appeared in action.

Star Wars: Bad Batch

Star Wars: The Bad Batch

• United States, 2021 - present.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.9.

After the finale of Revenge of the Sith, the clones, in obedience to order 66, went over to the side of the Emperor. But Unit 99 was genetically different from the rest, so its members fled and began working as mercenaries.

The project can be considered a direct continuation of the Clone Wars. Familiar characters appear here, the same atmosphere, and even the visuals remained about the same. That provided the animated series with the attention of the audience.

Boba Fett book

The Book of Boba Fett

• United States, 2021 - present.
• Fantasy, thriller, adventure.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.4.

Mercenary Boba Fett returned to the world of Star Wars in the second season of The Mandalorian. In his solo series, he, along with assistant Fennec Shand, arrives on the planet Tatooine, which was once ruled by Jabba the Hutt. Boba decides to take power into his own hands and restore order.

The series largely copies the style of The Mandalorian. But still, it has its merits. Largely "Boba Fett book”reminds more of criminal projects about the seizure of power. It's just that this story is also inscribed in a fantastic universe.

Less important projects that will allow you to thoroughly study "Star Wars"

For those who have already watched all the main films and series, there is a lot of additional material. Their plots have little effect on the events of Star Wars, but they are a little better immersed in a fantasy world.

Star Wars Holiday Special

The Star Wars Holiday Special

• USA, 1978.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 97 minutes.
• IMDb: 2.1.

After the events of A New Hope, Chewbacca arrives on his home planet of Kashyyyk along with his partner Han Solo. There, the heroes celebrate the Galactic holiday Day of Life (analogous to Christmas).

The Holiday Special is widely regarded as the worst Star Wars movie ever made. It was only removed in order to sell more toys around the world of the franchise. And some parts of this picture are really completely ridiculous. For example, an attempt to show the everyday life of the Wookiee people or the singing of Carrie Fisher. The only scene worthy of attention is considered an animated insert about Boba Fett. Prior to that, he appeared in films for a very short time.

Over the years, the Holiday Special has gained a cult following precisely because of its goofiness and terrible filming. At least, many believe that nothing worse will appear in Star Wars.

Ewok Adventure

The Ewok Adventure

• USA, 1984
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.3.

An ordinary family's starship crashes on the planet Endor. Parents Germit and Katarin go in search of local residents, but are captured by monster. And their children Mace and Sindel meet Ewoks. They decide to help the young heroes.

The TV movie came out amid the success of Return of the Jedi. However, you need to understand that this picture is focused specifically on the children's audience. There is even a narrator commenting on the events.

Ewoks: Battle for Endor

Ewoks: The Battle for Endor

• USA, 1985
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 94 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.5.

The film directly continues the plot of "Ewok Adventures". After the death of the entire family, young Sindel and her new friends are captured by a gang of marauders. Now they need to figure out a way to break free and help the locals defeat the bandits.

Interestingly, the Ewok Wicket, who appears in these films, also appears in Return of the Jedi. Although it is strange that Sindel teaches him human language, but when he meets Leia, the hero does not understand anything. The authors justify this by saying that in fact the girl spoke some other language, and not the general galactic one.

Droids

Star Wars: Droids

• USA, Canada, 1985-1986.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 5.9.

After the events of Revenge of the Sith, inseparable robots C3PO and R2D2 travel the galaxy and constantly find themselves in difficult situations. They regularly run into bandits, Imperial stormtroopers, and even Boba Fett.

George Lucas, at the dawn of his career, was very interested in animation, believing that it expands the boundaries of what is possible on the screens. After the Nelvana studio created an animated insert in the Holiday Special, the author decided to agree on a collaboration on two projects about minor characters.

Ewoks

Ewoks

• Canada, USA, 1985-1987.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 6.0.

As in the feature films about Ewoks, the action takes place before the events of Return of the Jedi. Brave Wicket Wistry Warrick and his tribesmen battle the evil Dulocs and the Tulgai witch Morag.

The second animated series from Lucasfilm and Nelvana, like Droids, is focused on children's audience. Moreover, the authors deliberately took secondary characters so as not to greatly influence the development of the entire Star Wars world and leave room for future full-length films.

Star Wars Rebels

Star Wars: Rebels

• United States, 2014-2018.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.0.

The action starts approximately five years before the events of A New Hope during the heyday of the Galactic Empire. A small group of representatives from different races from the planet Lothal on the spaceship "Ghost" fights for freedom and stimulates the creation of the Rebel Alliance.

The cartoon looks simpler than The Clone Wars, it almost does not capture large-scale problems. But on the other hand, it perfectly expands the world of Star Wars, showing local conflicts.

Star Wars Resistance

Star Wars: Resistance

• United States, 2018–2020.
• Fantasy, adventure, action.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 5.1.

A year before the events of The Force Awakens, young pilot Kazuda Shiono, the son of a member of the Galactic Senate, joins the Resistance to fight the First Order. It is he who is sent for reconnaissance to the enemy.

The events of this project unfold in parallel with the last trilogy. The action ends shortly before the plot of the film "The Skywalker. Sunrise".

Timeline of the Star Wars universe

Those who want to watch all the films and series not in the order of release, but in the chronology of events, can be guided by this list.

• Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, 2002
• The Clone Wars, 2008-2020.
• Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, 2005.
• The Bad Batch, 2021 - Present.
• "Droids", 1985-1986.
• "Han Solo. Star Wars Tales, 2018.
• "Rebels", 2014-2018.
• Rogue One. Star Wars Tales, 2016.
• Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope, 1977
• Star Wars Holiday Special, 1978.
• Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, 1980.
• "Ewoks", 1985-1987.
• "Adventures of the Ewoks", 1984.
• Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, 1985.
• Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, 1983
• The Mandalorian 2019 - present.
• The Boba Fett Book 2021-present.
• "Resistance", 2018-2020.
• Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
• Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, 2017.
• Star Wars: Episode IX - Skywalker. Sunrise", 2019.