How many Star Wars movies are there, exactly
There are currently nine main saga films released between 1977 and 2019, collectively known as the Skywalker saga. In addition, there are at least two standalone theatrical features set in the same universe: Rogue One (2016) and Solo (2018). Streaming series on Disney+ are not films and are not counted here. Viewing the saga in release order or chronological order are both common approaches, and each has narrative benefits.
Defining what counts as a Star Wars movie
When people ask how many Star Wars movies exist, they usually mean feature-length films theatrically released by Lucasfilm or Disney that carry the Star Wars brand. Short films, television episodes, and specials are excluded from this count. That core set includes every entry from Star Wars (1977) through Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), plus the two standalone films. If you include animated features, the count can differ, but this guide focuses on live-action theatrical releases.
Main saga films in release order
The most common way to refer to the nine movies is in the order they originally appeared in theaters. These films follow the Skywalker family across three trilogies and make up the core cinematic saga. Below is a concise reference table with year and title for the main releases:
| Episode | Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Episode IV | A New Hope | 1977 |
| Episode V | The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 |
| Episode VI | Return of the Jedi | 1983 |
| Episode I | The Phantom Menace | 1999 |
| Episode II | Attack of the Clones | 2002 |
| Episode III | Revenge of the Sith | 2005 |
| Episode VII | The Force Awakens | 2015 |
| Episode VIII | The Last Jedi | 2017 |
| Episode IX | The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 |
Live-action standalone films
In addition to the nine saga entries, there are two standalone live-action theatrical films set in the Star Wars universe. These movies expand the timeline but are not structured as numbered episodes:
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016): A self-contained war story that directly precedes Episode IV.
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): An origin tale following Han Solo and Chewbacca.
Total count at a glance
When discussing theatrical live-action features, the recognized total is 11: 9 saga films plus 2 standalone features. Streaming originals and TV movies are valuable Star Wars content, but they do not change the count of feature films shown in cinemas.
Chronological vs. release order
If you want to watch Star Wars in chronological order, the timeline runs as follows:
- The Phantom Menace
- Attack of the Clones
- The Clone Wars (film, 2008)
- Revenge of the Sith
- Solo
- Rogue One
- A New Hope
- The Empire Strikes Back
- Return of the Jedi
- The Force Awakens
- The Last Jedi
- The Rise of Skywalker
Many fans prefer release order because it preserves the original surprises and evolving filmmaking style. Chronological order can appeal to those interested in strict timeline continuity, but it places the animated film The Clone Wars and certain shorts into the middle of the viewing experience, which may disrupt pacing for first-time viewers.
What is not included in this count
To avoid confusion, here are common items that are not counted as movies in this context:
- Disney+ series such as The Mandalorian, Andor, or Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Short films like Visions or individual episodes labeled as "movies"
- Documentaries and making-of specials
- Re-releases or 3D re-issues of existing films, which do not add new narrative entries
How to choose an order
For a first-time viewer, starting with the release order is generally recommended. It mirrors the cultural impact and allows you to experience the evolution of storytelling and technology. If you are more interested in the in-universe timeline and character backstory, you might begin with the prequels followed by the sequels, inserting Rogue One before A New Hope and Solo after the prequels, though this is less common.