There is no single number for how many movies are in Star Wars until you define scope. At minimum, the Skywalker saga consists of nine episodic films released between 1977 and 2019. Beyond those, there are standalone features, animated projects, anthology shorts, and upcoming series that may or may not be considered "movies" depending on format and continuity status. This evergreen explainer defines each category, counts only widely released theatrical features, and distinguishes confirmed releases from announced projects.
The Nine-Episode Skywalker Saga
The core Star Wars movie series is the Skywalker saga, comprising nine episodes released in chronological order by story timeline but in two distinct theatrical waves. Episodes I–III (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith) launched 1999–2005, while Episodes IV–VI (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi) debuted 1977–1983. Episodes VII–IX (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker) followed 2015–2019. Together they form the definitive nine-film main saga.
Skywalker Saga Filmography
| Episode | Title | Release Year | Story Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | The Phantom Menace | 1999 | 1 |
| II | Attack of the Clones | 2002 | 2 |
| III | Revenge of the Sith | 2005 | 3 |
| IV | A New Hope | 1977 | 4 |
| V | The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 | 5 |
| VI | Return of the Jedi | 1983 | 6 |
| VII | The Force Awakens | 2015 | 7 |
| VIII | The Last Jedi | 2017 | 8 |
| IX | The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 | 9 |
Standalone Films Outside the Saga
Beyond the saga, several standalone features expand the universe but are not numbered episodes. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) is a direct prequel to Episode IV that follows the theft of the Death Star plans. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) explores Han Solo’s origins. Both are feature-length, widely released theatrical films and are often counted alongside the saga when discussing total movie counts.
Standalone Features at a Glance
| Title | Release Year | Relation to Main Saga |
|---|---|---|
| Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | 2016 | Precedent to Episode IV |
| Solo: A Star Wars Story | 2018 | Han Solo origins |
Short-Form and Animated Projects
Star Wars includes numerous shorts and animated features. Visions (2021) is an anthology of animated shorts from multiple studios. Tiny Death Star and other mobile titles are games, not movies. Visions is feature-film length in aggregate but is structured as distinct short episodes; some viewers count individual shorts, others treat the season as one entry. For a conservative movie count, Visions is best considered one episodic feature, not multiple theatrical movies.
Notable Short and Anthology Entries
| Title | Year | Format Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Star Wars: Visions | 2021 | Animated anthology of shorts |
Upcoming and Announced Projects
Several projects are in various stages of development. The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled for 2026 and will be a theatrical feature. Other announced titles may never reach screen, or could shift formats. Until a project completes theatrical release, it should not be counted as a movie in any authoritative total.
What to Watch For
- The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026, planned theatrical feature)
- Rogue Squadron (development status as of 2024 is uncertain)
- Potential future spinoffs in early story phases
Defining What Counts as a Movie
A helpful rule of thumb: count a movie only if it received a wide theatrical release or a major streaming debut as a complete, feature-length narrative. Short-form content, teasers, and game cinematics are not movies. By this standard, the core saga and two major standalone films are firmly movies, while shorts and series are not, regardless of budget or canonical weight.
Authoritative Counts at a Glance
When sources report totals, they often mix categories. A consistently reliable count through 2024 is: nine saga episodes plus two standalone features, totaling 11 feature-length movies. This excludes shorts, series, and unreleased projects. Verified counts below summarize the landscape for quick reference.
| Category | Count | Scope Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skywalker Saga Episodes | 9 | Episodes I–IX, 1977–2019 theatrical |
| Major Standalone Features | 2 | Rogue One, Solo |
| Total Feature-Length Movies (as of 2024) | 11 | Theatrical features only |
Conclusion
As of 2024, there are 11 feature-length Star Wars movies: nine in the Skywalker saga and two standalone theatrical features. Short-form content and upcoming projects are excluded from this count. Use this definition to compare totals across sources and maintain clarity when discussing Star Wars filmography.
FAQ
Reader questions
Does Disney+ count as a movie?
Streaming series released on Disney+ are not movies, even if they are feature-length shows. Movies are distinct, self-contained narrative features, while series consist of multiple episodes intended as ongoing seasons.
What about unreleased projects?
Until a film is publicly released in a theater or premieres as a complete feature on a major platform, it should not be included in any definitive count.
Are the animated anthology episodes movies?
Visions is an anthology of shorts; treating it as one episodic movie is the most consistent approach for counting purposes.