Star Wars: In what order to watch the movies and series

When George Lucas started planning the first installment of Star Wars in 1971, he was likely the only one who suspected it would be the start of something truly massive in pop culture. When the film Star Wars: A New Hope premiered in 1977, it kicked off a global craze that continues to this day. Generations of fans have grown up with a lightsaber in their hand, and the brand's power shows no signs of fading, even if some fans feel it hasn't been the same since Disney acquired it.

Star Wars is now one of the highest-grossing franchises in the world. Pokémon takes the top spot with estimated earnings over $100 billion, followed by Hello Kitty ($80–90 billion), Mickey Mouse & Friends ($80+ billion), and Winnie the Pooh (around $70 billion). Star Wars holds steady in about fifth place with between $65 and $70 billion. They are followed by Mario (roughly $35–40 billion), the Marvel Cinematic Universe ($30+ billion), Harry Potter ($25 billion), and Batman (over $20 billion).

The Star Wars universe is vast. A massive pile of books, comics, movies, series, board games, and video games has been created. Who can keep track of it all! I'm not even surprised that Disney, which bought Lucasfilm in October 2012 (the acquisition cost $4.05 billion), made a clean cut to the official canon and discarded most of the side stories.

George Lucas himself didn't exactly help make the universe clearer. He added three prequels to the original film trilogy, while Disney added more films set afterward. In the meantime, the world kept growing with new series filling in the gaps between the movies.

However, if you have the need and plenty of time to watch all the Star Wars audiovisual content in order, I offer you a timeline of the Star Wars films and series. For each entry, you'll find the release year and the Star Wars date in which the specific work takes place (BBY-ABY: Before the Battle of Yavin and After the Battle of Yavin). The overview also includes ratings from the Czech-Slovak Film Database (ČSFD) (as of March 2025).

The Acolyte (2024) (132 BBY)

This series takes place at the end of the High Republic era and follows the journey of a young dark-side apprentice. The series focuses on the development of the dark side of the Force and how the Sith began to manipulate the galaxy for their own benefit.

Rating: 46% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) (32 BBY)

The first episode of the saga follows young Anakin Skywalker, a slave with extraordinary sensitivity to the Force, who is discovered by Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The story involves political intrigue in the Galactic Senate, the rise of the dark Sith Lord Darth Sidious, and the fight for the freedom of the planet Naboo. Anakin becomes a key figure in the hope of resolving the conflict and a potential "Chosen One" meant to bring balance to the Force.

Rating: 79% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) (22 BBY)

The second episode takes place ten years after the events of Episode I. The Republic is torn by conflicts that lead to the outbreak of the Clone Wars. Anakin Skywalker falls in love with Padmé Amidala, while Obi-Wan Kenobi uncovers the secret of a clone army created for the Republic. Meanwhile, the dark side of the Force is gaining strength, and Anakin's sensitivity to the Force grows.

Rating: 80% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Movie (2008) (22 BBY)

An animated film from the Star Wars world set during the Clone Wars (between Episodes II and III). All the main heroes from the previous films appear in the story. The film is followed by the animated series The Clone Wars, which expands on the original story.

Rating: 61% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) (22-19 BBY)

An animated series that explores the period of the Clone Wars between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems in greater depth. The series follows Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, and other characters through battles and political intrigue. It also shows Anakin's gradual transition to the dark side and expands on the stories of the Jedi and the clones.

Rating: 79% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (2022) (40-19 BBY)

An animated anthology series consisting of short stories about Jedi and Sith from different eras of the galaxy. The series includes stories about young Dooku, his fall to the dark side, and Ahsoka Tano during her training and after the fall of the Republic. Each episode offers a unique look at the development of the main characters and events in the galaxy.

Rating: 81% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) (19 BBY)

The third episode tells the story of Anakin Skywalker's dramatic fall to the dark side of the Force under the influence of Darth Sidious. The Republic transforms into the Galactic Empire, the Jedi are nearly wiped out by Order 66, and Anakin becomes Darth Vader. The film presents the tragic end of the Jedi era and the beginning of the Empire.

Rating: 87% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (2024) (20 BBY - 9 ABY)

This animated anthology series focuses on two characters: Morgan Elsbeth and Barriss Offee. The series follows Morgan Elsbeth, a Dathomirian witch connected to Admiral Thrawn, during her early days and her later quest for revenge. The second story arc focuses on Barriss Offee, a former Jedi who becomes an Inquisitor after the fall of the Jedi Order and undergoes a process of recovery. The series offers a look at different eras of galactic history and explores the darker sides of the Empire.

Rating: 70% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021) (approx. 19 BBY)

An animated series following an elite unit of clone troopers with genetic mutations known as the "Bad Batch." After the fall of the Republic, they must adapt to the new era of the Empire and find their place in the galaxy. The series explores the impacts of Order 66 on individual clones and their struggle for survival in a changing galaxy.

Rating: 77% (ČSFD)

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) (13 - 10 BBY)

The film tells the story of young Han Solo, his first meeting with Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian, and his involvement in the criminal underworld of the galaxy. It also shows the origin of the legendary ship Millennium Falcon and the charismatic smuggler Han Solo.

Rating: 70% (ČSFD)

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) (9 BBY)

Set ten years after the events of Episode III, the series follows Obi-Wan Kenobi in exile on the planet Tatooine, where he watches over young Luke Skywalker. When Princess Leia is kidnapped, Obi-Wan is forced to leave his hiding place and face his former apprentice, Darth Vader.

Rating: 63% (ČSFD)

Andor (2023) (5-0 BBY)

The series follows Cassian Andor, the main hero of the film Rogue One, during his journey from a cynical smuggler to a dedicated Rebel fighter. The series shows the formation of the Rebel Alliance and the darker side of the fight against the Empire.

Rating: 85% (ČSFD)

Star Wars Rebels (2014) (5-1 BBY, epilogue after 4 ABY)

An animated series set before the events of Episode IV, following a group of Rebels operating on the planet Lothal. The series explores the growth of the Rebel Alliance against the Empire and the fates of the Jedi Kanan Jarrus and his apprentice Ezra Bridger.

Rating: 70% (ČSFD)

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) (0 BBY)

The film follows a group of Rebels led by Jyn Erso on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star – the Empire's superweapon. This daring act enables the later Rebel victory in Episode IV.

Rating: 78% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) (0 BBY)

The first film of the series introduces Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo in their fight against the Empire. Together, they try to destroy the Death Star using the plans stolen in Rogue One.

Rating: 88% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) (3 ABY)

A darker continuation of the saga follows Luke Skywalker during his training with Master Yoda on Dagobah, while the Rebels face attacks from the Empire led by Darth Vader.

Rating: 89% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) (4 ABY)

The conclusion of the classic trilogy depicts the final confrontation between the Rebels and the Empire at the second Death Star. Luke Skywalker faces Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine in an attempt to bring his father back to the light.

Rating: 87% (ČSFD)

The Mandalorian (2019) (9 - 12 ABY)

The series follows the story of the Mandalorian, a bounty hunter who becomes the protector of "The Child" (known as Grogu), an infant of the same powerful species as Yoda. The series takes place after the fall of the Empire and explores various factions and characters in the galaxy.

Rating: 87% (ČSFD)

The Book of Boba Fett (2021) (9 ABY)

A series that follows the events of The Mandalorian and follows Boba Fett and Fennec Shand as they try to take control of the criminal underworld on Tatooine.

Rating: 73% (ČSFD)

Ahsoka (2023) (11 ABY)

A series that focuses on Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's former apprentice, and her travels through the galaxy. It deals with her search for Grand Admiral Thrawn and his attempts to find Ezra Bridger after the events of Rebels.

Rating: 73% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024) (9 ABY)

A new series about children traveling through space in search of their home planet, set in the same timeframe as The Mandalorian.

Rating: 66% (ČSFD)

Star Wars Resistance (2018) (34 – 35 ABY)

An animated series set before the events of Episode VII, focusing on the story of young pilot Kazuda Xiono, who joins the Rebels. The series explores the growth of the First Order and the fates of the heroes fighting against it.

Rating: 45% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) (34 ABY)

The first episode of the new trilogy, which introduces Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren in their fight against the First Order – the successor to the Empire. Rey discovers her connection to the Force and searches for the missing Luke Skywalker.

Rating: 73% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) (34 ABY)

The second episode of the new trilogy follows Rey during her training with Luke Skywalker, while the Resistance fights for survival against the First Order led by Snoke and Kylo Ren.

Rating: 68% (ČSFD)

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) (35 ABY)

The conclusion of the saga shows the final confrontation between the First Order and the rebels. Rey faces her destiny as the last Jedi and reveals a shocking connection to Emperor Palpatine.

Rating: 58% (ČSFD)

author Karel Krajča