Star Wars Saga Movies in Release Order
The main Skywalker saga consists of nine episodic films released between 1977 and 2019. The original trilogy includes Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. The prequel trilogy follows with Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The sequel trilogy includes Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. All nine films were produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, which acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. For current box office and production details, see Star Wars movies in order.
Release order is the standard viewing sequence recommended by Lucasfilm for first-time viewers because it preserves the original narrative structure and theatrical experience. The saga generated over $10 billion in global box office revenue across the nine main episodes. The Walt Disney Company now oversees all Star Wars film development, with Kennedy serving as president of Lucasfilm. The company also manages the franchise's television output, merchandise, and gaming rights through its subsidiaries.
Star Wars Standalone Films and Spin-Offs
Lucasfilm released two standalone films set in the Star Wars universe outside the main episodic saga. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story premiered in 2016 and depicts the theft of the Death Star plans. Solo: A Star Wars Story premiered in 2018 and focuses on the early life of Han Solo. Both films were produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. These movies expand the franchise timeline and explore characters and events referenced in the main saga.
Standalone films allow Lucasfilm to experiment with tone and genre while remaining within the Star Wars canon. Rogue One is set immediately before the events of Episode IV and serves as a direct prequel to the original 1977 film. Solo is set between Episode III and Episode IV and explores the early smuggling career of Han Solo and his relationship with Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian. Both films were produced under the oversight of Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and the Lucasfilm story group.
Upcoming Star Wars Films and Series
Lucasfilm has multiple Star Wars feature films in various stages of development under the Walt Disney Company. Directors and writers attached to new projects include James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, among others. The studio has not yet announced a fixed release schedule for all upcoming films, but industry reports indicate new entries are planned for the coming years. For the latest official updates, see Walt Disney Company SEC filings.
In addition to feature films, Lucasfilm continues to expand the Star Wars universe through television series on Disney+. The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and The Book of Boba Fett are among the live-action series that explore events between the main saga episodes. Animated projects such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels further extend the timeline. Lucasfilm coordinates these projects to maintain a consistent canon overseen by the Lucasfilm story group.