How To Watch The Star Wars Movies In Order On Disney+
by Explore Disney+ Contributor
May 4, 2026
If you’re curious about the Star Wars timeline and chronological watch order, then this is the guide for you
Planning a Star Wars marathon for May the 4th? Reacquainting yourself with the saga before watching The Mandalorian and Grogu movie? There’s no better time to experience the saga in timeline order. Watching in chronological order lets you follow Anakin Skywalker’s rise, Darth Vader’s reign, and the next generation’s fight for the galaxy, far, far away. Our guide is perfect if you’re new to Star Wars or ready for a rewatch. And if you want a full Star Wars explainer that includes the shows, check out the StarWars.com Movies and Series Viewing Guide.
Official Chronological Order Of Star Wars Movies
Here’s the official chronological order of Star Wars Skywalker Saga movies that are available to stream on Disney+ along with a short list of the Star Wars saga’s main characters and plotlines.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars: A New Hope
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
The prequel trilogy takes you back to the years before the original films, following Anakin Skywalker’s early life, his Jedi training, and the choices that pull him toward the Dark Side.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
The story begins as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi go on a peacekeeping mission to Naboo. After some rather short negotiations with the Trade Federation, they rescue Queen Padmé Amidala from the impending planetary invasion. Finding themselves stranded on the desert planet Tatooine, they discover nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker, a boy who is unusually strong in the Force, as a deadly Sith warrior emerges.
Key Characters In The Phantom Menace
The Phantom Menace introduces a young Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and an even younger Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd). Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman), Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), and some of the saga’s most iconic characters, including Darth Maul (Ray Park) and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson), are introduced for the first time.
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Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
After the invasion of Naboo, the Republic is on the brink of civil war as Count Dooku leads a growing Separatist movement. After an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are assigned to protect her. While Obi-Wan tracks the assassin and uncovers a secret clone army, Anakin grows closer to Padmé despite the rules of the Jedi Order. Their paths collide on Geonosis, where a massive battle between clones and droids kicks off the Clone Wars.
Key Characters In Attack of the Clones
Hayden Christensen plays a 20-year-old Anakin Skywalker training to be a Jedi under the tutelage of Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor). The legendary Christopher Lee portrays the Separatist leader, Count Dooku, while Temuera Morrison plays the bounty hunter Jango Fett, the template for the clone army.
Add Star Wars: Attack of the Clones to Watchlist
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
As the Clone Wars reach their breaking point, Chancellor Palpatine is kidnapped during an attack on Coruscant. Anakin and Obi-Wan launch a rescue mission and defeat Count Dooku. As Obi-Wan hunts General Grievous, Anakin is consumed by fear over Padmé’s fate and becomes increasingly vulnerable to Palpatine’s influence. His turn to the Dark Side sets off Order 66 and clears the way for Palpatine to transform the Republic into the Galactic Empire.
Key Characters In Revenge of the Sith
Revenge of the Sith centers around Anakin Skywalker’s (Hayden Christensen) fall to the Dark Side as Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) manipulates the heroic Jedi Knight. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson), and Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) also return in key roles.
Add Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith to Watchlist
Star Wars Original Trilogy
The original trilogy follows Luke Skywalker’s journey from farm boy to Jedi as the Rebel Alliance rises against the Empire.
Star Wars: A New Hope
Luke Skywalker lives a quiet life on Tatooine when he crosses paths with two droids carrying a message for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Before long, Luke is pulled into the Rebellion, joins Obi-Wan on a mission to help Princess Leia, and teams up with Han Solo and Chewbacca.
Key Characters In A New Hope
The first Star Wars movie introduces the heroes that define the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), as well as Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), and the bickering droid duo, R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels). A New Hope also introduces Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones), one of cinema’s most iconic villains.
Add Star Wars: A New Hope to Watchlist
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
A few years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Empire is still hunting the Rebels. After the Battle of Hoth, which forces the Alliance to scatter, Luke heads to Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda. At the same time, Han, Leia, and Chewbacca flee to Cloud City, where Darth Vader sets a trap designed to draw Luke out.
Key Characters In The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back first introduces the iconic Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz), the smooth-talking Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), and the enigmatic bounty hunter Boba Fett (voiced by Temuera Morrison) who captures Han Solo. It also marks the first appearance of Ian McDiarmid in the role of Emperor Palpatine.
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Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Following the events of The Empire Strikes Back, Luke and Leia must rescue Han Solo from the ruthless crime lord Jabba the Hutt. Once they regroup with the Rebellion, they discover a new Death Star, stationed above the forest moon of Endor. Han and Leia lead the ground mission to bring down the superweapon’s shield, Lando joins the space assault, and Luke confronts Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine in the showdown that decides the fate of the galaxy.
Key Characters In Return of the Jedi
Return of the Jedi brings the original trilogy’s biggest players together for a final battle against the Empire. Jabba the Hutt and the Ewoks make memorable additions, while Luke, Darth Vader, and Emperor Palpatine drive the film’s emotional and epic climax.
Add Star Wars: Return of the Jedi to Watchlist
Star Wars Sequel Trilogy
The sequels follow Rey’s journey as she discovers her connection to the Force and fights with the Resistance against the First Order.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
In this new chapter, the First Order has risen to power and threatens the galaxy. General Leia Organa leads the Resistance, and Luke Skywalker has vanished. On Jakku, a scavenger named Rey meets BB-8 and soon crosses paths with Finn, a stormtrooper who abandoned the First Order. Their journey brings them to Han Solo and Chewbacca, and together they work to return BB-8 and a map to Luke Skywalker to the Resistance before the galaxy slips further into war.
Key Characters In The Force Awakens
The Force Awakens introduces Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), and Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Peter Mayhew return to their roles as Han Solo, Leia, and Chewbacca. Mark Hamill also makes a brief appearance as Luke Skywalker.
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi
In the direct aftermath of The Force Awakens, the First Order strikes back at the Resistance, forcing them to flee from their base and pursuing them relentlessly through space. Rey finds Luke on Ahch-To and begins training with him, while Finn and mechanic Rose Rico head to Canto Bight in search of help. As the First Order continues its pursuit, the Resistance exhausts all options, and the heroes unite for a last stand on the salt planet, Crait.
Key Characters In The Last Jedi
Mark Hamill returns to the role of Luke Skywalker. The Last Jedi also features newcomers Rose Tico (Kelly Marie-Tran), Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern), and DJ (Benicio Del Toro).
Add Star Wars: The Last Jedi to Watchlist
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Rey, Finn, and Poe lead the remnants of the Resistance against the First Order. Kylo Ren is now Supreme Leader, but a new threat emerges when Emperor Palpatine returns. As the Resistance races to stop him, Rey faces difficult truths about her past and faces one final test.
Key Characters In The Rise of Skywalker
The Rise of Skywalker reunites Rey, Finn, and Poe as they reunite for one final mission against the First Order. Billy Dee Williams is back as Lando Calrissian, and Ian McDiarmid returns as the Sith Lord, Emperor Palpatine.
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Star Wars Movies FAQs
How many live-action Star Wars movies are there?
There are currently 11 Star Wars movies in total, but that rises to 12 if we include Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which arrives only in theaters and IMAX May 22, 2026.
What is The Skywalker Saga?
The Skywalker Saga refers to the nine Star Wars movies and encompasses all three trilogies: the prequel trilogy (Episodes I – III), the original trilogy (Episodes IV – VI), and the sequel trilogy (Episodes VII – IX).
What’s the release order of the Star Wars movies?
The original trilogy was released first, followed by the prequel trilogy, then the sequel trilogy and anthology films. For the full movie release order, check out the official viewing guide on StarWars.com.
Where does The Mandalorian and Grogu fit in the timeline?
The movie is set after the events of the original trilogy, but before the sequel trilogy. For more on the upcoming movie, check out our guide to The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Journey Deeper Into The Star Wars Galaxy
The story doesn’t end with the movies. If you want to take your next steps into a larger world, check out the shows on StarWars.com or the full Star Wars collection on Disney+.
Want to watch all Star Wars movies and shows in order?
Ready to go stream it all? Check out the official viewing guide on StarWars.com to discover how to watch all of the Star Wars movies and shows, including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, in order.
