Star Wars gives you two very different ways into its galaxy. Start with the original films and you discover its mysteries alongside Luke Skywalker. Start earlier in the timeline and you watch the Republic’s decline before the rebellion begins. Both approaches work, but they reveal information in different ways.
This guide covers the main canon films and narrative series, including animation. Short-form collections and non-canon productions are explained separately below.
Choose what to watch
Choose order
Release order
Release order
- Episode IV — A New Hope
- Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI — Return of the Jedi
- Episode I — The Phantom Menace
- Episode II — Attack of the Clones
- Episode III — Revenge of the Sith
- The Clone Wars — animated film
Animated Film
- The Clone Wars — animated series
Animated TV series
- Rebels
- Episode VII — The Force Awakens
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Episode VIII — The Last Jedi
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Resistance
- The Mandalorian
- Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker
- The Bad Batch
- The Book of Boba Fett
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Andor
- Tales of the Jedi
- Young Jedi Adventures
- Ahsoka
- Tales of the Empire
- The Acolyte
- Skeleton Crew
- Tales of the Underworld
- Maul – Shadow Lord
- The Mandalorian and Grogu
Story order: a practical route through the eras
- Young Jedi Adventures
the High Republic, long before the Skywalker films
- The Acolyte
a later period of the High Republic
- The Phantom Menace
- Attack of the Clones
- The Clone Wars — animated film
The film introduces the Clone Wars and the series continues the conflict; the series’ final arc overlaps Revenge of the Sith.
- The Clone Wars — animated series
The film introduces the Clone Wars and the series continues the conflict; the series’ final arc overlaps Revenge of the Sith.
- Revenge of the Sith
- The Bad Batch
begins during the Republic’s fall and follows the new Empire
- Maul – Shadow Lord
the early Imperial period
- Solo
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Andor
These are two separate series whose rebellion-era stories overlap. Watch each series in its own episode order; Andor leads directly into Rogue One.
- Star Wars Rebels
These are two separate series whose rebellion-era stories overlap. Watch each series in its own episode order; Andor leads directly into Rogue One.
- Rogue One
- A New Hope
- The Empire Strikes Back
- Return of the Jedi
- The Mandalorian, seasons 1–2
- The Book of Boba Fett
its present-day storyline belongs here; it also contains earlier flashbacks
- The Mandalorian, season 3
- Ahsoka
These are separate series set in the New Republic era. Their timelines are close, but this is an era grouping rather than a scene-by-scene crossover order.
- Skeleton Crew
These are separate series set in the New Republic era. Their timelines are close, but this is an era grouping rather than a scene-by-scene crossover order.
- The Mandalorian and Grogu
follows the Mandalorian television story
- Star Wars Resistance — Season 1
Their closing events overlap.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Their closing events overlap.
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The series continues through the sequel era, with events overlapping the film timeline.
- Star Wars Resistance — Season 2
The series continues through the sequel era, with events overlapping the film timeline.
- The Rise of Skywalker
No entries match this selection.
Where do the anthology shows fit?
Tales of the Jedi, Tales of the Empire and Tales of the Underworld move between periods. They cannot honestly occupy one fixed position on a timeline. Watch Tales of the Jedi after the prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars; save the other Tales collections until you know the related characters from the main shows. Forces of Destiny (2017) also consists of short adventures spread across eras.
The Clone Wars itself was not originally broadcast in strict story order. For a detailed rewatch, use Lucasfilm’s official episode chronology. For a first watch, its normal episode order remains approachable.
Visions, LEGO productions and older Legends material such as the 2003 Clone Wars series are optional viewing outside this main canon route. They should not be inserted as if every production shares one history.
Peppermoon’s recommendation
Start with Episodes IV, V and VI, then I, II and III, followed by VII, VIII and IX. Add Rogue One and Andor for the rebellion, or The Mandalorian for a new adventure. You do not need to finish every animated series before enjoying your first Star Wars film.
Sources: Lucasfilm viewing guide (https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-movies-and-series-guide); Young Jedi Adventures setting (https://www.lucasfilm.com/productions/star-wars-young-jedi-adventures/).