Overview of Star Wars Feature Films
The Star Wars film series began with A New Hope in 1977 and has since grown into a multi-era saga spanning theatrical releases, standalone spinoffs, and a transitional sequel set. This article lists every main saga and standalone film in the official canon, providing each title, release year, and primary focus. It clarifies alternate working titles and subtitle distinctions while explaining how each film fits the broader Skywalker saga arc or the standalone anthology structure.
The Skywalker Saga: Main Theatrical Releases
The core Skywalker saga tracks one family lineage across nine episodes, arranged chronologically by story order and released in three distinct trilogies. Episodes I–III explore the rise of the Galactic Empire and Anakin Skywalker’s fall, while Episodes IV–VI follow the Rebel Alliance and Luke Skywalker’s confrontation with the original threat. Episodes VII–IX introduce a new lineage and conclude the saga. Below is the definitive episode list with exact titles and years.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Introduces Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, and the trade federation blockade of Naboo. Establishes midichlorians and sets the political groundwork for the Republic’s decay.
Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Follows the Clone Wars’ beginning, Anakin’s apprenticeship, and the romance between Anakin and Padmé, culminating in the birth of twins while the galaxy edges toward open war.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Depicts the fall of the Jedi, the transformation of Anakin into Darth Vader, and the rise of the Empire. Includes the iconic Mustafar duel and the ceremonial birth of the Rebellion.
Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Originally released simply as Star Wars before being retitled. Follows Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie as they ignite the Rebellion by stealing the Death Star plans and destroying the battlestation.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Empire hunts the Rebels across the galaxy while Luke seeks Jedi training on Dagobah. Features the revelation of Vader’s paternity and a cliffhanger conclusion with Han frozen in carbonite.
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Brings the Skywalker saga to a close with the Battle of Endor, the redemption of Anakin, and the balance of the Force achieved through a new generation.
Sequel Trilogy: Episodes VII–IX
The sequel trilogy introduces a new cast while connecting to the legacy of the original and prequel trilogies. These films focus on the Resistance, the First Order, and the next generation of Skywalker descendants.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Reintroduces the galaxy to Rey, Finn, and Poe, alongside a reawakened threat in the form of the First Order. Features the return of Han and Leia as leaders of the Resistance.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
Examines failure, legacy, and myth, as Rey seeks training and Finn pursues a desperate mission. The film concludes with Luke Skywalker’s sacrifice and the Resistance’s near destruction.
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Concludes the sequel arc with the return of a revived Emperor and the assembled forces of the galaxy. Rey’s lineage, the redemption arc of Ben Solo (Kylo Ren), and the fate of Tatooine are resolved.
Standalone and Anthology Films
Beyond the episodic saga, the Star Wars universe includes standalone narratives set in the same continuity. These films explore specific eras, characters, or conflicts without advancing the Skywalker family arc.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Set immediately before Episode IV, this gritty war film follows a diverse rebel squad on a mission to steal the Death Star plans. Its darker tone and canonical status distinguish it within the franchise.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Explores the early life of Han Solo, from his origins on Corellia to his partnership with Chewie and Lando. Tells the story of how the smuggler became a legend.
Distinguishing Episodes and Standalones
While episode titles include ordinal numbering and consistent naming conventions, standalone films use subtitles to clarify their scope. Both groups contribute to the official canon but serve different narrative purposes: one follows a continuous saga; the other expands the universe through self-contained stories.
Canonical Film List at a Glance
The table below reflects release dates for the primary theatrical versions, aligned with canonical placement within the Skywalker saga and standalone stories. Alternate cuts and special editions are noted but not listed exhaustively.
| Film | Year | Type | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | 1999 | Episode | Anakin’s discovery and Republic politics |
| Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones | 2002 | Episode | Clone Wars onset and fall of love |
| Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | 2005 | Episode | Anakin’s fall and Empire birth |
| Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope | 1977 | Episode | Rebellion’s origin and Death Star’s destruction |
| Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 | Episode | Darkest hour and lineage revealed |
| Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi | 1983 | Episode | Redemption and galaxy-wide victory |
| Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | 2016 | Standalone | Death Star plans theft |
| Solo: A Star Wars Story | 2018 | Standalone | Early Han Solo narrative |
| Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens | 2015 | Episode | New Resistance and legacy |
| Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi | 1717 | Episode | Legacy and mythic trials |
| Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 | Episode | Final conflict and lineage closure |
Working Titles and Naming Notes
Several films were known by placeholder names during production. Episode VI was once called Revenge of the Jedi; Episode I considered The Beginning; and The Empire Strikes Back was initially The Empire Strikes Back: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker. Standalone titles also shifted—Rogue One and Solo retained their eventual names, but production shorthand changed across development. These working titles occasionally appear in promotional material or interviews, but they do not alter the official release nomenclature.
Release Formats and Editions
Each saga film has seen multiple exhibition formats: original theatrical, special edition, prequel-era re-release, and high-resolution remaster for streaming and Blu-ray. While some visual effects and edits varied between versions, the canonical story beats remain consistent across the widely available cuts. Note that the original 1977 theatrical print of Star Wars is sometimes referred to separately, but the canonical narrative aligns with later restorations.
How to Read This List
For continuity, watch the episodes in narrative order (I–IX), which reveals thematic and plot through-lines most clearly. Standalone films can be enjoyed episodically or as individual entries, though Rogue One and Solo enrich specific arcs within the larger universe. This guide serves as a durable reference for titles, years, types, and narrative roles, avoiding ephemeral details in favor of stable, long-term context.
Quick Reference: Main and Standalone Films
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1777)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Closing Notes
These titles represent the official canon of the Star Wars film series as recognized by Lucasfilm. They encompass the Skywalker family saga and the standalone adventures that flesh out the galaxy far, far away. This list is designed to remain accurate and useful regardless of future announcements, focusing instead on what is established and verifiable.