star wars movies in order of release - American Beagle Club
The Complete Order of All Star Wars Movies: Released in Chronological and Disney’s Establishment Timeline
The Complete Order of All Star Wars Movies: Released in Chronological and Disney’s Establishment Timeline
Discover the full canon order of Star Wars movies—from the original trilogy to the sequel saga—released in chronological and Disney’s official roll-out timeline. This comprehensive guide explains the release order, key details, and how each film fits into the evolving Star Wars universe spanning decades.
Understanding the Context
Overview of Star Wars Film Releases
The Star Wars saga began with Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in 1977, revolutionizing cinema. Over the years, additional films expanded the galaxy far, far away through distinct eras in release order:
- Original Trilogy (1977–1983)
- Prequels (1999–2005)
- Sequel Trilogy (2015–2019)
- Anthology Films & Novellas (non-theatrical but canonically linked)
While official disorganization and rename conventions (e.g., “Episodes” vs. “Films”) can confuse, this article presents a clear chronological and studio-sanctioned release order.
Key Insights
Chronological Release Order of Star Wars Movies
Original Trilogy (1977–1983)
These films define the foundational saga, released by George Lucas’s Lucasfilm Ltd., later acquired by Disney.
| Release Date | Title | Notes |
|-|-|-|
| May 25, 1977 | Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope | The groundbreaking debut introducing Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and the Death Star. |
| May 25, 1978 | The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V) | Often hailed as the greatest sequel ever—equal parts thrilling space opera and character drama. |
| May 25, 1980 | Return of the Jedi (Episode VI) | The final installment of the original trilogy, concluding the Rebel Alliance’s victory and Vader’s redemption. |
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Prequel Trilogy (1999–2005)
Bringing the story before A New Hope, these films were released 22 years after the original, chronologically marking the rise of the Empire and fall of the Jedi.
| Release Date | Title | Notes |
|-|-|-|
| February 19, 1999 | Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | Begins the sequenced galaxy crisis with Anakin’s birth and the rise of the Sith. |
| February 17, 2002 | Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones | Explores the Clone Wars and political turmoil leading to the Republic’s fall. |
| May 16, 2005 | Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | Concludes Anakin’s fall to Darkside and the birth of the Empire. |
Sequel Trilogy (2015–2019)
Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 led to a new trilogy bridging decades through animation, flashbacks, and reimagined characters.
| Release Date | Title | Notes |
|-|-|-|
| December 18, 2015 | Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens | Revives Star Wars with Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren; reconnects the Skywalker legacy. |
| December 18, 2017 | Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (Episode IX) | Bold emotional and thematic conclusion to the Skywalker saga, redefining legacy. |
| May 31, 2019 | Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker | Resolves decades-spanning conflicts in a climactic, deeply symbolic finale. |
