Original Star Wars Release Order and Box Office Performance
The original Star Wars trilogy consists of Episode IV A New Hope, Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI Return of the Jedi. George Lucas directed the first film, which premiered in theaters in 1977 and was distributed by 20th Century Fox. The franchise generated billions in global box office revenue, with adjusted totals placing the original trilogy among the highest-grossing film series in history read Forbes analysis. Lucasfilm, now a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, controls licensing, merchandise, and sequel and spinoff production under the Lucasfilm banner.
Return of the Jedi concluded the original trilogy in 1983, followed by theatrical re-releases and special editions. The original trilogy remains the core of the franchise, with box office rankings consistently placing A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back among the top domestic and international earners of their respective release years see Box Office Mojo data. Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 and now oversees theatrical, streaming, and merchandise strategies for the Star Wars intellectual property.
Chronological Story Order for the Original Trilogy
For viewers watching the original films in story chronology, the recommended sequence begins with Episode IV A New Hope, followed by Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, and concludes with Episode VI Return of the Jedi. This order follows the narrative arc of Luke Skywalker, the Rebel Alliance, and the conflict with the Galactic Empire and Darth Vader visit StarWars.com guide. The original theatrical release order, which starts with A New Hope, reflects the historical debut sequence that introduced the franchise to audiences worldwide.
The chronological order aligns with the in-universe timeline, beginning with the early Rebel Alliance struggles, the training of Luke Skywalker under Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine. The original trilogy spans key events in the Star Wars timeline, including the fall of the Jedi Order, the rise of the Empire, and the eventual defeat of the Sith. This structure provides a clear narrative progression from the first film through the conclusion of the original saga.
Key Companies, Dates, and Franchise Structure
The original Star Wars films were produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by 20th Century Fox until Disney acquired the studio in 2012. The Walt Disney Company now manages the franchise, including theatrical releases, the Disney+ streaming series, and global licensing operations. The original trilogy includes three feature films, with production led by George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, and other core creative teams across the 1970s and 1980s.
Production and Distribution Entities
Lucasfilm Ltd. serves as the primary production company for the original Star Wars films, with Industrial Light and Magic handling visual effects. 20th Century Fox distributed the original theatrical releases, and subsequent home video, broadcast, and streaming rights transitioned to Disney following the acquisition. The franchise now operates under Disney's media and entertainment segments, with content spanning film, television series, theme parks, and publishing.
Release Timeline and Re-releases
A New Hope debuted in 1977, The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, and Return of the Jedi in 1983. The films received theatrical re-releases, including special editions in the 1990s and 2000s