Star Wars Storyline Order: The Complete Chronological Sequence
The official Star Wars storyline order begins with the prequel era, continues through the original trilogy, and extends into the sequel era and recent streaming series. The chronological viewing sequence starts with Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, followed by Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, Solo, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. The television series fit between these films based on their in-universe timelines, with The Clone Wars and Rebels covering the gap between the prequels and the original trilogy. The newest additions, The Mandalorian and its spin-offs, extend the timeline beyond the sequel trilogy into the era of the New Republic. This order reflects the current Lucasfilm canon as of the latest public releases, with all theatrical films and major streaming series included in a single continuous narrative.
Lucasfilm, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, oversees the Star Wars storyline order and canon hierarchy. Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 and rebranded all previous Expanded Universe content as Legends, establishing a single unified canon. The studio releases films through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and series through Disney+ and other streaming partners. As of the latest public data, the Star Wars franchise includes 11 theatrically released films, multiple animated and live-action series, and numerous specials and shorts. The chronological timeline spans roughly 25,000 years before the Battle of Yavin to the events following The Rise of Skywalker. This structure allows fans to experience the saga in character-age order, starting with the Skywalker family origins and ending with the next generation of Jedi.
How to Watch Star Wars in Release Order vs. Chronological Order
Release order follows the theatrical debut dates, beginning with A New Hope in 1977 and ending with The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. This viewing method preserves the original audience experience and the reveal of Darth Vader's true identity. Chronological order, by contrast, starts with The Phantom Menace and follows the timeline of events as they occur in the universe. Streaming platforms such as Disney+ present both options, allowing viewers to toggle between release and chronological sequences. The release order remains the default recommendation for first-time viewers because it mirrors the original marketing and storytelling structure. Fans who prioritize narrative continuity often prefer chronological order to avoid spoilers and follow character arcs without gaps.
The release order includes the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, the sequel trilogy, and the standalone film Solo. The chronological order inserts The Clone Wars movie and series, Rebels, and the live-action series The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka at specific timeline points. The animated series Star Wars: The Bad Batch fits between Revenge of the Sith and Solo, covering the transition from the Republic to the Empire. The animated series Star Wars: Visions is non-canon and does not fit into the primary storyline order. The live-action series Obi-Wan Kenobi takes place a decade after Revenge of the Sith, while Andor covers the early formation of the Rebel Alliance. Each series adds depth to the timeline, with new characters and factions that connect directly to the films.
Star Wars Storyline Order by Era: Key Eras and Their Place in the Canon
The High Republic Era and the Fall of the Jedi
The High Republic era, introduced through novels, comics, and the upcoming Phase I multimedia project, takes place centuries before The Phantom Menace. This era features the Jedi at the height of their influence across the galaxy, with no Sith in hiding. The chronological storyline order places this era before the fall of the Jedi Order,