What is the Star Wars timeline and why it matters
The Star Wars timeline is the chronological sequence of stories across films, series, comics, and novels, anchored by the Battle of Yavin (0 BBY/0 ABY). Understanding it clarifies which stories to watch or read first, how characters and technologies evolve, and how eras like the High Republic or the Rise of the First Order fit into one connected history.
Core eras and their time ranges in the Star Wars universe
Before the Republic and the earliest civilizations
The universe’s deep past includes the Celestials, the Rakata Infinite Empire, and the formation of the first hyperspace routes. These eras are mostly depicted in novels, games, and the early chapters of the High Republic, establishing foundational lore about the Force and ancient conflicts long before the Skywalker saga.
The Old Republic and the thousand-year peace
The Old Republic era (roughly 25,000–1,000 BBY) features the Jedi Order, the Republic, and the Sith Lords hidden in the shadows. Key events include the Mandalorian Wars, the Jedi Civil War, and eventually the Ruusan Reformation, which reshapes the Republic and sets the stage for modern politics.
The High Republic and the golden age
The High Republic (approximately 300–82 BBY) is a period of expansion, exploration, and relative peace, spotlighted in novels, comics, and the series "The Acolyte," set around 100 BBY. The Republic and Jedi are at their height, though underlying tensions and the Nihil foreshadow decline.
The Fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire
The final decades of the Republic (32–19 BBY) include the Clone Wars, the fall of the Jedi, and the transformation into the Galactic Empire. Anakin Skywalker’s turn, Order 66, and the exile of surviving Jedi mark the close of this era.
The main Skywalker saga and its chronological sequence
The nine Skywalker saga films are commonly presented in release order but can also be understood chronologically. The prequels depict Anakin’s youth and the Clone Wars; the original trilogy follows Luke’s journey and the Rebel Alliance; the sequel trilogy continues the conflict with new threats. Below are the films with their release order, chronological order, and primary setting year.
| Release order | Chronological order | Title | Setting year | Key era or event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Episode I: The Phantom Menace | 32 BBY | Pre-Clone Wars, rise of the Trade Federation |
| 2 | 2 | Episode II: Attack of the Clones | 22 BBY | Outbreak of the Clone Wars |
| 3 | 5 | Solo: A Star Wars Story | 13–10 BBY | Han Solo’s origins, early Rebellion |
| 4 | 6 | Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | 0 BBY | Immediate prelude to A New Hope, Death Star plans |
| 5 | 3 | Episode III: Revenge of the Sith | 19 BBY | End of the Clone Wars, Order 66, Empire rises |
| 6 | 4 | Rebels | 5–3 BBY | Early Rebellion, Empire tightening grip |
| 7 | 7 | Episode IV: A New Hope | 0 ABY | Death Star destroyed, Alliance on the rise |
| 8 | 8 | The Empire Strikes Back | 3 ABY | Rebellion on the run, Luke’s training |
| 9 | 9 | Return of the Jedi | 4 ABY | Death Star II destroyed, Empire’s fall begins |
| 10 | 10 | The Force Awakens | 34 ABY | New Republic, remnants of the Empire (First Order) |
| 11 | 11 | The Last Jedi | 34 ABY | Immediate aftermath of TFA, ideological clash |
| 12 | 12 | The Rise of Skywalker | 35 ABY | Final conflict with the Sith and the Skywalker saga’s conclusion |
Key Disney+ series and their timeline placement
Disney+ has expanded the timeline with multiple series that slot into distinct eras, enriching continuity and providing deeper context for characters and events. These series are listed in chronological setting order below.
- The Acolyte (c. 100 BBY): Set in the High Republic, focusing on a Jedi investigation and the rise of the Nihil.
- Tales of the Empire (varies, mostly around or before the Clone Wars): Character-driven stories exploring perspectives across the Republic and early Imperial eras.
- Andor (10–5 BBY): Espionage and rebellion in the final years before the Battle of Yavin.
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (10–12 BBY): Post-Order 66, depicting Obi-Wan’s exile and a critical mission in the early Imperial period.
- Ahsoka (2–1 BBY): Aftermath of the Clone Wars and into the early Rebellion, bridging the fates of multiple characters.
- Ashoka (9 ABY+): Following The Mandalorian and the fall of the Empire, exploring the wider galaxy’s instability.
- The Mandalorian (9–11 ABY): Set after Return of the Jedi, following a new bounty hunter and the search for Grogu.
- The Book of Boba Fett (11 ABY): A direct continuation of The Mandalorian’s storyline with Boba Fett.
- The Bad Batch (12–13 ABY): Focused on clone force operations in the early New Republic era.
- Rebels (5–3 BBY): Early rebellion against the Empire, connecting the prequels to the original trilogy.
- The Wheel of Time (separate IP, included for clarity): Not part of Star Wars; unrelated to Star Wars canon.
Where to start watching depending on your goal
If you want the saga in story order
Follow the chronological order of the Skywalker saga: Episode I, Episode II, Episode III, Solo, Rebels, Rogue One, Episode IV, Episode V, Episode VI, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker. This preserves narrative arc and character development as events unfold in universe time.
If you prefer release order
Watch the films as originally released: Episode I, Episode II, Episode III, Episode IV, Episode V, Episode VI, Solo, Rogue One, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker. This reflects the cultural and cinematic impact each entry had at its time of release.
If you’re new and want a curated entry point
- Episodic starter: Episode IV: A New Hope, then The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
- Origin-focused starter: Episode I: The Phantom Menace through Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
- Streaming-first starter: The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka to see the current momentum of the galaxy.
Overarching plot threads and how they connect eras
The Skywalker saga revolves around a few core arcs: the fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker, the rise and resilience of the Rebellion, the ebb and flow of the Force, and the balance between light and dark. These threads tie each era together, making the timeline more than a sequence of dates—they form a continuous narrative. Supporting materials such as series, novels, and comics expand on specific periods, offering deeper context for locations, factions, and technologies that shape the galaxy across centuries.
Common questions about order, dates, and canonicity
It is natural to wonder which timeline model is canonical, how spin-offs relate to the main saga, and where to fit stories like The Clone Wars or Tales of the Empire. The information above reflects the official, linear chronology recognized across films and most core canonical media. Alternates such as the Legends timeline exist in non-canonical material and are not included here. When dates overlap or differ between sources, the film and series releases represent the authoritative framing for this explanation.