The Star Wars universe has expanded beyond the original trilogy, with new movies, TV shows, and novels adding to the mythos. Navigating this new universe can be daunting, especially for those who are new to the franchise. In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the chronological order of the new Star Wars series, so you can fully immerse yourself in the galaxy far, far away. From the animated series to the live-action shows, we’ve got you covered. So grab a lightsaber and let’s get started!
The Star Wars Saga: An Overview
The Original Trilogy
The Original Trilogy consists of three films that were released between 1977 and 1983. These films tell the story of the struggle between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire.
Episode IV: A New Hope
Released in 1977, A New Hope is the first film in the Star Wars saga. It introduces us to the protagonist, Luke Skywalker, who dreams of leaving his desert planet, Tatooine, and joining the Rebel Alliance. Luke’s life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Obi-Wan Kenobi, a wise old Jedi, and Han Solo, a rogue smuggler. Together, they embark on a dangerous mission to rescue Princess Leia from the clutches of the Empire.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Released in 1980, The Empire Strikes Back is the second film in the series. It takes place three years after the events of A New Hope. The Empire, led by Darth Vader, is hunting down the Rebel Alliance, and Luke seeks out Jedi Master Yoda to learn more about the Force. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Leia face their own challenges as they evade the Empire’s grasp.
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Released in 1983, Return of the Jedi is the final film in the Original Trilogy. Luke continues his training with Yoda, while Han and Leia set out to destroy the Empire’s new weapon, the Death Star. The stakes are high as the Rebel Alliance prepares for a final showdown with the Empire. Will they succeed in their mission, or will the Empire prove too powerful to overcome?
The Prequel Trilogy
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The first installment of the prequel trilogy, Episode I: The Phantom Menace, was released in 1999. It is set 32 years before the events of the original Star Wars film and follows Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi as they try to protect Queen Amidala of the planet Naboo from the evil Trade Federation. The film introduces many iconic characters, including Darth Maul, the Sith apprentice, and the young Anakin Skywalker, who would later become Darth Vader.
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Released in 2002, Episode II: Attack of the Clones is set ten years after the events of The Phantom Menace. The galaxy is on the brink of war, and Anakin Skywalker is now a young adult. The Jedi Council sends Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the son of Senator Palpatine. Meanwhile, Padmé Amidala, now a Senator, finds herself at the center of a political conspiracy. This film explores the growing conflict between the Republic and the Separatists, leading up to the start of the Clone Wars.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
The final installment of the prequel trilogy, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, was released in 2005. It is set three years into the Clone Wars and focuses on the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire. Anakin Skywalker, now a Jedi Knight, is torn between his loyalty to the Jedi Order and his friendship with Palpatine. Meanwhile, Padmé Amidala is pregnant with Anakin’s child, and the war continues to escalate. In a shocking turn of events, Palpatine declares himself Emperor, and Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, setting the stage for the original Star Wars film.
The Sequel Trilogy
The Sequel Trilogy is the third set of films in the Star Wars saga, following the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy. It began with the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens in 2015, and continued with Episode VIII: The Last Jedi in 2017, and concluded with Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Directed by J.J. Abrams
- Released in 2015
- Takes place 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi
- Introduces new characters such as Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren
- Follows Rey as she discovers her connection to the Force and the history of the Jedi and Sith
- Kylo Ren, a former stormtrooper, is revealed to be the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa
- The First Order, a new evil organization, emerges as the successor to the Empire
- The Resistance, led by Leia Organa, is the last remnant of the Rebel Alliance
- The film ends with a confrontation between the Resistance and the First Order
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Directed by Rian Johnson
- Released in 2017
- Takes place immediately after the events of The Force Awakens
- Explores the themes of identity and the nature of the Force
- Rey continues her training with Luke Skywalker, who is reluctant to teach her
- Kylo Ren is conflicted about his loyalty to the First Order and his connection to the Skywalker family
- The Resistance, led by Leia Organa and General Porg, attempts to escape the First Order
- The First Order, led by General Hux, hunts down the Resistance
- The film ends with a climactic battle between the Resistance and the First Order
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
- Released in 2019
- Takes place a few years after the events of The Last Jedi
- The Resistance, now known as the Rebellion, faces a new threat from the First Order and a mysterious evil force
- Rey, now a powerful Jedi, sets out on a quest to find a way to defeat the First Order
- The Rebellion, now led by Leia Organa, faces a crisis of leadership
- Kylo Ren, now the leader of the First Order, seeks to eliminate the remaining Jedi
- The film concludes with a final confrontation between the Rebellion and the First Order
In summary, the Sequel Trilogy explores the legacy of the original Star Wars saga and introduces new characters and conflicts to the universe. The three films are connected by a overarching storyline that follows the journey of Rey, Kylo Ren, and Leia Organa, and the struggle of the Rebellion against the First Order.
The Mandalorian and Beyond: The Expanding Star Wars Universe
The Mandalorian
Season 1
- The first season of The Mandalorian follows the story of a lone bounty hunter who is hired to capture a target, known only as “The Child,” and is forced to protect him after discovering he is actually a member of a rare and strong species of alien, known as a “Mando.”
- The season takes place five years after the fall of the Empire and follows the Mandalorian as he navigates the galaxy, facing off against remnants of the Empire and other dangerous creatures, all while trying to complete his mission and return The Child to his people.
- Throughout the season, the Mandalorian encounters a variety of characters, including other bounty hunters, Imperial remnants, and refugees, all of whom add to the rich tapestry of the Star Wars universe.
Season 2
- The second season of The Mandalorian continues the story of the titular character and The Child, as they travel through the galaxy and encounter new challenges and adversaries.
- The season introduces new characters, including the enigmatic Moff Gideon, who is revealed to be the one behind the creation of The Child’s species, and Bo-Katan Kryze, a powerful warrior and leader of the Nite Owls.
- The Mandalorian also faces off against new threats, including a dangerous creature known as the “Blurrg,” and a group of bounty hunters known as the “Krayt’s Claw.”
- Throughout the season, the Mandalorian’s relationship with The Child deepens, as he struggles to protect him from those who would do him harm and finds himself becoming increasingly attached to the young alien.
- The season also delves deeper into the Mandalorian’s past, revealing more about his people and their history, as well as the tragic events that led to the loss of his armor and his reluctance to remove it.
The Book of Boba Fett
- Premise: The series follows the story of Boba Fett, a notorious bounty hunter and clone of Jango Fett, as he navigates the galaxy and seeks to establish his place in the criminal underworld.
- Introduction of Characters: The series introduces several new characters, including the enigmatic assassin Fennec Shand, who becomes an ally of Boba Fett, and the formidable crime lord, the Mayor of Mos Espa.
- Struggle for Power: The season revolves around the power struggle between various criminal factions, with Boba Fett and Fennec Shand trying to establish their dominance in the city of Mos Espa.
- Plotlines: The season features multiple plotlines, including the search for valuable artifacts, the struggle for control of the criminal underworld, and the emergence of a new threat to the galaxy.
- Action-Packed Episodes: The season is filled with action-packed episodes, featuring intense shootouts, thrilling chases, and epic battles.
- Character Development: The season also focuses on the character development of Boba Fett and Fennec Shand, as they grapple with their pasts and try to forge a new path for themselves in the galaxy.
- Surprises and Twists: The season is full of surprises and twists, with unexpected revelations and plot twists that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
- Conclusion: The season concludes with a dramatic showdown, as Boba Fett and Fennec Shand face off against their enemies and try to secure their place in the galaxy.
Other Series and Movies
The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars is an animated television series that takes place between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The series follows the adventures of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and other characters as they navigate the Clone Wars. The show provides a deeper understanding of the politics and conflicts that shape the galaxy during this tumultuous time.
Rebels
Rebels is another animated television series that takes place between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The series follows a group of rebels as they fight against the Empire and work to bring down the evil Darth Vader. The show features characters such as Ezra Bridger, Sabine Wren, and Kanan Jarrus, and introduces new characters like Hera Syndulla and Garazeb Orrelios.
Resistance
Resistance is an animated television series that takes place before the events of The Force Awakens. The series follows a young pilot named Kazuda Xiono as he joins the Resistance and works to stop the First Order. The show introduces new characters such as Poe Dameron, General Leia Organa, and BB-8, and features appearances by familiar characters like Rey and Finn.
The Bad Batch
The Bad Batch is an animated television series that takes place between the events of The Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith. The series follows a group of clone troopers known as the Bad Batch, who were genetically modified to have enhanced abilities. The show explores their adventures as they navigate the galaxy during the Clone Wars and the early days of the Empire.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a limited television series that takes place between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The series follows the legendary Jedi as he continues to train Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force while hiding on the desert planet of Tatooine. The show features the return of Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi and introduces new characters such as Haden Church as Luke Skywalker.
Andor
Andor is a live-action television series that takes place before the events of Rogue One. The series follows the adventures of Cassian Andor, a rebel intelligence officer, as he works to steal the plans for the Death Star. The show explores the early days of the Rebellion and introduces new characters that will play a crucial role in the events of Rogue One.
Ahsoka
Ahsoka is a live-action television series that follows the adventures of Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi Padawan who survived the Clone Wars. The show explores her journey as she navigates the galaxy as a freelance adventurer and grapples with the aftermath of the Clone Wars. The series is set to feature Ahsoka’s search for answers about her past and her connection to the Force.
Decoding the Chronological Order: What to Watch and When
The Original Trilogy and Prequel Trilogy
Episode I – IV: A New Hope
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Episode IV: A New Hope
The Original Trilogy consists of the first three films released in the Star Wars franchise, with A New Hope serving as the beginning of the saga. The protagonist, Luke Skywalker, is introduced as a young farm boy who dreams of adventure and ultimately becomes a hero in the galaxy. This trilogy sets the stage for the subsequent events and characters in the Star Wars universe.
Episode II – V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The Prequel Trilogy comprises the next three films in the series, starting with Attack of the Clones. These films explore the backstory of the beloved characters and the events leading up to the rise of the Galactic Empire. The Empire Strikes Back, the second film in this trilogy, follows the continuing adventures of Luke Skywalker and his allies as they confront the evil Empire.
Episode III – VI: Return of the Jedi
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
The final installment of the Prequel Trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, concludes the story of Anakin Skywalker’s descent into darkness and his transformation into the dreaded Darth Vader. Return of the Jedi, the last film in the Original Trilogy, brings the saga full circle as the characters confront the Empire once more, setting the stage for the subsequent films in the Star Wars universe.
The Sequel Trilogy is the third set of films in the Star Wars saga, following the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy. It begins with Episode VII – The Force Awakens, released in 2015, and continues with Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, released in 2017, and concludes with Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, released in 2019.
Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Episode VII – The Force Awakens takes place 30 years after the events of the original trilogy and introduces a new generation of heroes, including Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron. The film follows these characters as they join forces with Han Solo and Chewbacca to take down the First Order, a new evil force that has risen from the ashes of the defeated Empire.
Directed by J.J. Abrams, The Force Awakens is a nostalgic homage to the original trilogy, while also setting the stage for a new era of Star Wars storytelling.
Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
Episode VIII – The Last Jedi picks up where The Force Awakens left off, with Rey continuing her training as a Jedi under the guidance of Luke Skywalker. Meanwhile, the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa, faces a new threat from the First Order, which has become more powerful than ever before.
Directed by Rian Johnson, The Last Jedi is a darker and more experimental film than its predecessor, exploring themes of legacy, identity, and the nature of the Force.
Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker brings the Sequel Trilogy to a close, as the Resistance faces its final showdown with the First Order. This film ties together loose ends from the previous two films and sets the stage for the future of the Star Wars universe.
Directed by J.J. Abrams, The Rise of Skywalker is a thrilling conclusion to the Sequel Trilogy, with plenty of surprises and twists to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The Mandalorian and Beyond
The Mandalorian
- Season 1
- The Mandalorian is the first live-action Star Wars series, following a lone bounty hunter who is hired to capture “The Child” (a young Mandalorian).
- The season is set after the fall of the Empire, but before the rise of the First Order.
- It introduces characters such as Greef Karga, Cara Dune, and Moff Gideon.
- Season 2
- The second season follows the Mandalorian and “The Child” as they journey through the galaxy.
- It introduces new characters such as the Armorer, Bo-Katan Kryze, and the Frog Lady.
- The season also explores the Mandalorian culture and history.
The Book of Boba Fett
+ The Book of Boba Fett is a spin-off series that follows the adventures of Boba Fett, a legendary bounty hunter.
+ The series takes place after the events of The Mandalorian Season 2.
+ It explores Boba Fett's history and his role in the criminal underworld of the galaxy.
- The Clone Wars
- The Clone Wars is an animated series that takes place between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
- It explores the conflict between the Republic and the Separatists during the Clone Wars.
- The series features characters such as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Padmé Amidala.
- Rebels
- Rebels is an animated series that takes place between the events of The Clone Wars and A New Hope.
- It follows a group of rebels as they fight against the Empire.
- The series features characters such as Ezra Bridger, Sabine Wren, and Hera Syndulla.
- Resistance
- Resistance is an animated series that takes place before the events of The Force Awakens.
- It follows a young pilot named Kazuda Xiono as he joins the Resistance.
- The series features characters such as Poe Dameron, BB-8, and General Leia Organa.
- The Bad Batch
- The Bad Batch is an animated series that takes place between the events of The Clone Wars and Rebels.
- It follows a group of clone troopers who are genetically mutated.
- The series features characters such as Hunter, Wrecker, and Echo.
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Obi-Wan Kenobi is a series that takes place after the events of Revenge of the Sith and before the events of A New Hope.
- It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi as he continues to train and protect Luke Skywalker.
- The series features characters such as Darth Vader and Grand Inquisitor.
- Andor
- Andor is a series that takes place before the events of Rogue One.
- It follows Cassian Andor as he becomes a rebel spy.
- The series features characters such as Mon Mothma and Luthen Rael.
- Ahsoka
- Ahsoka is a series that takes place after the events of The Clone Wars.
- It follows Ahsoka Tano as she searches for a missing young Padawan.
- The series features characters such as Anakin Skywalker and Count Dooku.
Watching in a Specific Order
Option 1: The Chronological Order
- The first option is to watch the series in the chronological order of the events. This option starts with the original trilogy consisting of Episode I – IV: A New Hope, followed by Episode II – V: The Empire Strikes Back, and concludes with Episode III – VI: Return of the Jedi.
- After completing the original trilogy, the viewer can move on to the sequel trilogy consisting of Episode VII – VIII: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, and finally, Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
- In between the original and sequel trilogy, the viewer can watch the spin-off movies, starting with The Mandalorian, followed by The Book of Boba Fett, and then other series and movies in the timeline.
Option 2: The Disney+ Release Order
- The second option is to watch the series based on their release order on Disney+. This option starts with The Mandalorian, followed by The Book of Boba Fett, The Clone Wars, Rebels, Resistance, The Bad Batch, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Andor.
- After watching all the spin-off series, the viewer can move on to the original trilogy consisting of Episode I – IV: A New Hope, followed by Episode II – V: The Empire Strikes Back, and concludes with Episode III – VI: Return of the Jedi.
- Finally, the viewer can watch the sequel trilogy consisting of Episode VII – VIII: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
FAQs
1. What is the new Star Wars series and when was it released?
The new Star Wars series is called “The Book of Boba Fett” and it was released on December 29, 2022. It is a spin-off series from the “Star Wars: The Mandalorian” and follows the character Boba Fett, a skilled bounty hunter and assassin.
2. How many episodes are there in the new Star Wars series?
There are 7 episodes in the first season of “The Book of Boba Fett”.
3. Where can I watch the new Star Wars series?
You can watch “The Book of Boba Fett” on the streaming platform Disney+.
4. Is it necessary to watch any other Star Wars series before watching “The Book of Boba Fett”?
It is recommended to watch the “Star Wars: The Mandalorian” series before watching “The Book of Boba Fett” as it is a spin-off series and many events and characters from that series are referenced in “The Book of Boba Fett”.
5. In what order should I watch the Star Wars series to understand the chronological order of events?
To understand the chronological order of events in the Star Wars universe, it is recommended to watch the series in the following order:
1. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-2014, 2020)
2. “Star Wars: The Mandalorian” (2020-2023)
3. “The Book of Boba Fett” (2022)
This order will provide a clear understanding of the events and timeline of the Star Wars universe.