How To Watch Every Star Wars Movie & TV Show in Timeline Order

The world of Star Wars is constantly expanding, and a new movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is coming out in just under two weeks! It can be tricky figuring out where this film fits into the overall story. Plus, with so many movies originally created by George Lucas and a huge number of related TV shows—both animated and live-action—it’s hard to know the best way to watch everything in order.

Fans often debate the best way to watch Star Wars. Some like watching the films in the order they were originally released, which lets you see how the story and its ideas evolved. Others prefer watching in timeline order – experiencing the events as they happen in the Star Wars universe – and this can make the overall narrative easier to follow. This timeline includes all the official movies and TV shows released so far, including The Mandalorian and Grogu. The only exception is the Tales series, which takes place during or after the Clone Wars and the height of the Empire; it’s best to watch those after Revenge of the Sith.

As a Star Wars fan, I’ve learned that we usually talk about when things happen based on the original movie, A New Hope. We measure time as either “BBY” – meaning Before the Battle of Yavin – or “ABY” – After the Battle of Yavin. It’s how we keep track of everything in the timeline!

28. Young Jedi Adventures (232 BBY)

Okay, so I just finished watching both seasons of Young Jedi Adventures, and honestly, it’s surprisingly good. It’s definitely geared towards a younger audience, but as a Star Wars fan, I really enjoyed it. The show is set during the High Republic era – think of it as the golden age of the Jedi and the Republic, when things were generally peaceful and the Force was strong. What’s really cool is how it connects to the larger Star Wars: The High Republic books and comics; it’s a subtle tie-in, but it adds a lot for those of us following that whole storyline. It’s a tremendous series, even for longtime fans.

27. The Acolyte (132 BBY)

Leslye Headland’s The Acolyte takes place 100 years before the events of the Skywalker saga, during the final years of the High Republic era. The show depicts a Jedi Order that’s already facing internal struggles with darkness, even before the Sith become a major threat. Unfortunately, The Acolyte was cancelled after just one season, leaving many storylines unfinished. Hopefully, future Star Wars projects will address these unresolved plot points.

26. The Phantom Menace (32 BBY)

The story of the Skywalker family starts with The Phantom Menace. In this film, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discovers a gifted young boy named Anakin Skywalker. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, the future of the Republic is being decided, as a scheming politician named Sheev Palpatine cleverly works his way into becoming Chancellor. Meanwhile, the dark side returns with the emergence of Darth Maul following an attack on Naboo by the Trade Federation, signaling a new threat to the galaxy.

25. Attack of the Clones (22 BBY)

The Sith secretly start a massive galactic war, known as the Clone Wars, with the goal of destroying the Republic. At the same time, Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi in training, begins a forbidden love affair with Senator Padmé Amidala, all while struggling with his emotional connections to others.

24. The Clone Wars (22 BBY – 19 BBY)

The main Star Wars films largely skip over the Clone Wars, only showing the very start and finish of the conflict. George Lucas later explored the war in detail with the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which ran for seven seasons. Although Disney originally stopped production on the series before it could conclude, the final season became available on Disney+ in 2020. These last four episodes take place at the same time as the events in Revenge of the Sith.

23. Revenge of the Sith (19 BBY)

With the end of the Clone Wars and a victory for the Sith, the Skywalker saga reaches a critical turning point as the Empire begins to rise. Revenge of the Sith is considered the high point of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, a sweeping story about the path that leads a Jedi to the dark side. The novel adaptation, written by Matt Stover, is widely regarded as one of the best Star Wars books ever created.

22. Star Wars: The Bad Batch (19 BBY – 17 BBY approx.)

Following directly after The Clone Wars Season 7 and Revenge of the Sith, The Bad Batch is a fantastic three-season series. It centers on Clone Force 99, a team of unique clones who go their own way during the early days of the Empire. The show continues storylines from The Clone Wars and hints at events from the later Star Wars sequel films. Fans of the older Expanded Universe will also enjoy the many hidden references, particularly in the final season.

21. Maul – Shadow Lord (18 BBY approx.)

As a fan, it’s tricky to pinpoint exactly when Maul – Shadow Lord takes place. We know it’s during that dark period when the Empire is really in power, and it follows Darth Maul as he tries to find someone to help him get back at Palpatine. It eventually leads to a showdown between Maul and the Emperor’s new apprentice. Looking at the stormtrooper armor, it seems like this probably happens around 18 BBY – maybe even at the same time as the final episodes of The Bad Batch Season 2.

20. Solo: A Star Wars Story (10 BBY approx.)

Taking place about ten years before the original Star Wars film, Solo: A Star Wars Story is one of the standalone stories created by Lucasfilm. It shows how Han Solo, the famous smuggler originally played by Harrison Ford, became the character we know, with Alden Ehrenreich taking on the role of the younger Han. The movie also connects to the criminal activities of the character Maul.

19. Obi-Wan Kenobi (9 BBY)

Following the events of Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi went into hiding on the desert planet Tatooine. The Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi begins a decade later, when circumstances force him to leave his seclusion and venture back into the galaxy. With the return of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, this show is a major Star Wars story.

18. Andor Season 1 (5 BBY)

Created by Tony Gilroy, Andor is a highly praised show that offers a gritty look at everyday resistance against the Empire. The first season tells the story of how Diego Luna’s character, Cassian Andor, became a key figure in the Rebellion and ultimately helped shape the galaxy’s destiny. Season 1 takes place five years before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, but the second season shifted its storytelling style.

17. Andor Season 2 (4 BBY – 1 BBY)

Season 2 of Andor unfolds in several parts, each taking place a year later in the Star Wars universe. The season as a whole shows how the Rebel Alliance grew into a powerful movement, with a focus on Cassian Andor’s contributions. The events of Andor happen at the same time as the animated series Star Wars Rebels, and occasionally connect to it.

16. Star Wars Rebels (3 BBY – 1 BBY)

As a huge Star Wars fan, I was so excited when Rebels came out! It felt like a continuation of The Clone Wars, but focused on a small group of rebels from the planet Lothal and how they helped build the bigger Rebel Alliance we know and love. What really blew me away was seeing Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan, back on screen – and getting to see her face off against Darth Vader was incredible! The show also added some really interesting new layers to the Force and the Jedi, expanding the Star Wars universe in a way that felt really special.

15. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (1 BBY)

Taking place just before the events of A New Hope, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is considered one of Disney’s strongest Star Wars films. It centers on Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones, a resourceful woman who joins the Rebel Alliance and leads a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. The movie culminates in a memorable and powerful scene featuring Darth Vader.

14. A New Hope (0 BBY)

This is the film that launched the Star Wars saga, initially released simply as “Star Wars” before George Lucas expanded the story into a larger franchise. It’s where we first meet Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) as they join forces to fight against the Empire. While a traditional story of an ordinary hero, it now takes on even greater meaning when viewed within the context of the entire Star Wars universe.

13. The Empire Strikes Back (3 ABY)

The Empire Strikes Back continues the story of the Galactic Civil War and is famous for its shocking plot twist. While A New Hope introduced the world to Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back cemented its place as a timeless franchise. The film expands on the Star Wars universe, laying the groundwork for stories that would unfold over the following decades.

12. Return of the Jedi (4 BBY)

The original Star Wars trilogy ends with Return of the Jedi, which offers a satisfying twist as it brings the story of the Chosen One to a close. The evil Emperor Palpatine returns, revealing his true intentions and attempting to turn Luke Skywalker to the dark side. This pivotal moment determines the fate of the entire galaxy.

11. The Mandalorian Seasons 1 & 2 (9 ABY approx.)

When Disney+ launched in 2019, The Mandalorian Season 1 debuted, introducing audiences to Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin and the adorable Grogu. The first two seasons were grand in scope, culminating in a showdown where the remaining forces of the Empire showed their true power – though our heroes received some surprising assistance. The exact order of events in this series and its spin-offs can be confusing, as Lucasfilm hasn’t clearly defined the timeline between seasons and shows, collectively known as the “Mandoverse.”

10. The Book of Boba Fett (9 ABY approx.)

Featuring Temuera Morrison as the iconic bounty hunter Boba Fett, The Book of Boba Fett gives us a new look into his life. The story mainly takes place on the planet Tatooine, diving into the different criminal organizations that operate there. It also brings back Din Djarin and Grogu in significant ways. This series is crucial to understanding the larger story, as Season 3 of The Mandalorian continues directly from the events that happen here.

9. The Mandalorian Season 3 (9 ABY approx.)

Season 3 of The Mandalorian follows Din Djarin as he tries to earn forgiveness by returning to Mandalore and leading his people home. The season also reveals the full story behind the Imperial Remnant’s pursuit of Grogu and brings the initial storyline to a close, while also setting the stage for future adventures with Din Djarin and Grogu.

8. Ahsoka Season 1 (9 BBY approx.)

The first season of Ahsoka features Rosario Dawson reprising her role as Ahsoka Tano, who first appeared in live-action in The Mandalorian Season 2. The story centers around the remnants of the Empire and their efforts to save Grand Admiral Thrawn, a brilliant military leader even feared by Palpatine, from a faraway galaxy. The events of this series are expected to connect with the ongoing story of The Mandalorian and Grogu, and a second season of Ahsoka is anticipated later this year.

7. Skeleton Crew (9 ABY approx.)

The Star Wars show Skeleton Crew is a fun, self-contained series about a group of kids who leave their home planet and get swept up in the adventures of the wider Star Wars universe. Its exact place in the Star Wars timeline isn’t confirmed yet, and Lucasfilm will likely provide more details in the future.

6. The Mandalorian and Grogu (9 ABY approx.)

The new Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, expands the world of The Mandalorian for moviegoers. While Lucasfilm says you don’t need to have seen previous shows to enjoy it, the film does continue the story established in the Mandalorian universe since 2019. After a seven-year break, Star Wars returns to the big screen.

5. Resistance Season 1 (34 ABY)

There’s a significant story gap between the first three Star Wars films and the sequel trilogy, which the MandoVerse series only partially bridges. However, the animated show Resistance Season 1 helps fill that gap by showing how the First Order – the new version of the Empire – came to power. The last few episodes of Resistance directly connect to the events at the beginning of The Force Awakens.

4. The Force Awakens (34 ABY)

Daisy Ridley first appears as Rey in The Force Awakens, a massive box office hit. The film reintroduces audiences to a changed galaxy where the dark side is powerful once more, and a new, formidable weapon threatens peace. While paying tribute to the classic original films, The Force Awakens sets the stage for the rest of the story.

3. The Last Jedi (34 ABY)

Picking up right after the events of The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi focuses on Rey learning the ways of the Jedi from Luke Skywalker, all while the Resistance fights for its survival against a powerful First Order. The film is quite controversial, sparking strong reactions – some fans consider it the best Star Wars movie yet, while others strongly dislike it.

2. Resistance Season 2 (34 ABY)

Season 2 of Resistance begins immediately after the events of The Rise of Skywalker and The Last Jedi. The show follows a small group of rebels fighting to stay alive in a galaxy controlled by the First Order, and introduces some surprising connections to the Sith.

1. The Rise of Skywalker (35 ABY)

With The Rise of Skywalker, the story of the Skywalker family comes to a close. Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, and Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, confront a returned Emperor Palpatine, who was secretly behind the First Order. For a long time, Star Wars has stayed within this period of history, but that’s about to change next year with Starfighter, the first movie set after the events of the sequel trilogy.

2026-05-11 01:44