After Revenge of the Sith (2005), Star Wars expanded far beyond the fall of Anakin Skywalker, launching into the prequel era before leaping forward into the sequel trilogy and a wide web of series, standalone films, and spin‑offs. The story did not end with Order 66; it branched across timelines, formats, and media, reshaping the saga for new generations while revisiting the aftermath of the Clone Wars. This evergreen guide maps what Star Wars comes next in release and chronology, explains how the main trilogies and spin‑offs connect, and clarifies where to find each era in the evolving canon.
The Prequel Trilogy: The Fall of the Republic
The first direct continuation of the saga after Revenge of the Sith is the prequel trilogy, released between 1999 and 2005 across Episodes I, II, and III. These films explore the origins of Anakin Skywalker, the rise of the Galactic Empire, and the final days of the Republic, culminating in the transformation of Anakin into Darth Vader. Chronologically, they bridge the gap between the High Republic and the events of the original and sequel trilogies, filling in the backstory that shapes the galaxy far, far away.
Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Set 32 years before A New Hope, the Jedi Council navigates trade disputes and the emergence of the Trade Federation while a young Anakin Skywalker is identified as the Chosen One. The film introduces concepts of midi‑chlorians and sets up the political tensions that drive the prequel arc.
Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Ten years later, the Senate grants emergency powers to Chancellor Palpatine as the Clone Wars ignite across the galaxy. Anakin forms a bond with Padmé Amidala and begins his journey toward fear and attachment, foreshadowing his fall.
Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
The penultimate battle of the Clone Wars leads to the rise of the Empire, the transformation of Anakin into Darth Vader, and the birth of Luke and Leia. This film concludes the Skywalker saga’s early arc and paves the way for the original trilogy.
Sequels and Standalones: A New Generation Expands the Galaxy
The sequel trilogy launched roughly 30 years after the original films and 18 years after Revenge of the Sith, shifting the focus to a new generation of heroes and legacy characters. The three entries connect directly to the prior nine films while introducing themes of legacy, mythology, and renewal. Standalone releases like Rogue One and Solo contextualize the prequel and original eras, while animated series and novels extend continuity across timelines.
Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
A scavenger on Jakku discovers a map that leads to a missing Luke Skywalker, drawing Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron into a confrontation with the resurgent First Order, a remnant of the Empire.
Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
The Resistance flees the First Order while Rey seeks training from a reclusive Luke, challenging ideals of heroism and confronting the complexities of failure.
Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
The final chapter resolves the Palpatine legacy, unites the Skywalker bloodline, and closes the Skywalker saga with a galaxy rebuilding itself.
Standalone Films That Expand the Timeline
| Title | Year | Relation to Main Saga | Key Narrative Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | 2016 | Direct prequel to A New Hope | Ground-level view of the Death Star’s creation and the theft of the plans |
| Solo: A Star Wars Story | 2018 | Backstory for Han Solo | Explores origins of key characters and the expansion of the galaxy’s underworld |
The High Republic and Expanded Timeline Context
The High Republic era, spanning roughly 200 years before the events of The Phantom Menace, forms an important chronological layer between Revenge of the Sith and the prequels. It introduces Jedi roles, Republic ideals, and threats that echo into later conflicts, even as the sequel trilogy revisits themes of balance and renewal. Animating and novel series such as The Bad Batch and The Acolyte explore different windows of continuity while remaining anchored to Star Wars’ larger mythic design.
Chronological Order at a Glance
Understanding what Star Wars comes after Revenge of the Sith is easiest when you read by story timeline rather than release order. The sequence below aligns key arcs from earliest to latest events, connecting the fall of the Republic to the rise of new heroes.
- Revenge of the Sith (2005) — End of the Clone Wars and fall of Anakin
- The Clone Wars (2008 animated film and series) — Fades directly from Revenge of the Sith, filling gaps in the transition to the Empire
- Solo (2018) — Explores the early lives of Han and Qi’ra within the Imperial era
- Rogue One (2016) — Precedes A New Hope by directly leading into the Death Star plans mission
- Original Trilogy (1977, 1980, 1983) — Luke’s journey and the defeat of the Empire
- The Prequel Trilogy (1999, 2002, 2005) — Anakin’s rise and fall, told earlier in story time
- Sequel Trilogy (2015, 2017, 2019) — A new saga built on the legacy of the Skywalkers
Television, Streaming, and New Frontiers
Beyond film, what Star Wars is after Revenge of the Sith extends into streaming series that explore underutilized eras and deepen established lore. Series like The Mandalorian, The Bad Batch, and Andor offer grounded, character-driven narratives set between films, while The Acolyte looks forward to the High Republic. These shows help bridge timelines, provide context for conflicts like the rise of the Empire, and keep the universe evolving far beyond the saga’s original scope.
How to Navigate the Post–Revenge of the Sith Universe
For newcomers, a practical way to engage with Star Wars after Revenge of the Sith is to start with the core arcs that matter most to you: character origins, galaxy‑spanning war, or mythic legacy. Watching the prequels first gives context for the Empire’s rise; starting with the originals delivers immediate impact before diving into origins. Standalone films like Rogue One work best as focused, self‑contained experiences, while series can be approached once you’re comfortable with the central saga.
Canon, Legends, and What Counts
Following Disney’s acquisition, most prequel material and many Expanded Universe stories were rebranded as Star Wars Legends, while new films, series, and novels form the current canon. Revenge of the Sith remains a canonical anchor, but its consequences are interpreted through fresher storytelling in the sequels, animated projects, and live‑action series. Understanding this distinction helps clarify continuity, especially when reconciling differing character arcs or timeline details across media.
The Skywalker Saga and Its Continuing Legacy
Even as the Skywalker bloodline concludes on screen, Star Wars persists through new voices, genres, and formats. The question of what Star Wars is after Revenge of the Sith is ultimately about evolution: the saga broadened its geography, diversified its protagonists, and deepened its engagement with themes of power, responsibility, and renewal. Whether through mythic trilogy cycles, episodic war stories, or intimate character journeys, the universe continues to map the enduring struggle between darkness and light.