Every Star Wars Movie and TV Show Release Date in Order

The Star Wars franchise has defined cinematic history for nearly five decades. From its humble beginnings in 1977 to its massive expansion into streaming television, keeping track of every release date is essential for anyone looking to navigate this expansive galaxy. This comprehensive timeline covers every theatrical film, animated series, and live-action show within the official Star Wars canon, organized by their original US release dates.

The Skywalker Saga Core Trilogies

The backbone of the Star Wars universe is the Skywalker Saga, a nine-episode journey that spans three generations of the Skywalker family. These films were released in three distinct waves over forty years.

The Original Trilogy (1977–1983)

The original trilogy introduced the world to the concepts of the Force, the Jedi, and the Galactic Empire. These films were all released in late May, a tradition that held for decades.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope: May 25, 1977 Originally titled simply Star Wars, this film changed the landscape of Hollywood blockbusters. It was directed by George Lucas and produced by Gary Kurtz. Its release was relatively small initially but grew into a global phenomenon.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back: May 21, 1980 Released exactly three years after the first film, this sequel is often cited as one of the greatest films in cinematic history. Directed by Irvin Kershner, it expanded the lore and introduced the iconic character Yoda.
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi: May 25, 1983 The conclusion of the original trilogy arrived on the sixth anniversary of the first film's release. Directed by Richard Marquand, it brought the conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire to a dramatic close.

The Prequel Trilogy (1999–2005)

After a sixteen-year hiatus from live-action theatrical releases, George Lucas returned to direct a new trilogy focusing on the origin of Darth Vader.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace: May 19, 1999 The most anticipated film of its era, The Phantom Menace took audiences back to the height of the Galactic Republic. It introduced a young Anakin Skywalker and the sinister Darth Maul.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones: May 16, 2002 This film marked the first time a Star Wars movie was shot entirely on high-definition digital cameras. It focused on the budding romance between Anakin and Padmé Amidala against the backdrop of the brewing Clone Wars.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith: May 19, 2005 The darkest chapter of the prequels, this film depicted the fall of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Galactic Empire. Its release marked the supposed end of the Star Wars cinematic saga for many years.

The Sequel Trilogy (2015–2019)

Following the acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney in 2012, a new trilogy was launched to conclude the Skywalker narrative. These films shifted from the traditional May release window to mid-December.

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens: December 18, 2015 Directed by J.J. Abrams, this film reintroduced classic characters like Han Solo and Leia Organa alongside a new generation of heroes, Rey and Finn. It broke numerous box office records upon its debut.
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi: December 15, 2017 Directed by Rian Johnson, this installment took the saga in bold new directions, focusing on the isolated Luke Skywalker and the internal struggle of Kylo Ren.
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker: December 20, 2019 The final chapter of the nine-film saga, this movie brought back Emperor Palpatine and concluded the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order.

Standalone and Anthology Films

In addition to the main episodes, Lucasfilm produced several standalone stories that fill in the gaps of the timeline or explore specific characters.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Animated Movie): August 15, 2008 This theatrical animated feature served as the pilot for the long-running television series of the same name. It introduced Ahsoka Tano, a character who would become a pillar of the franchise.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: December 16, 2016 The first of the "Anthology" films, Rogue One is a direct prequel to A New Hope. It follows a group of rebels on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star.
Solo: A Star Wars Story: May 25, 2018 Returning to the traditional May release window, this film explored the early years of Han Solo, featuring his first meetings with Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian.

Animated Television Series and Specials

Television has played a crucial role in expanding the Star Wars lore, often providing deeper character development than the films allow.

Early Animation (1985–1986)

Before the modern era of television, Star Wars experimented with Saturday morning cartoons.

Star Wars: Droids: September 7, 1985
Star Wars: Ewoks: September 7, 1985

The Modern Animated Era (2008–Present)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Series): October 3, 2008 Running for seven seasons, this series provided the definitive look at the conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. Its final season was released on Disney+ in 2020.
Star Wars Rebels: October 3, 2014 Set between the prequels and the original trilogy, Rebels followed a small cell of insurgents on the planet Lothal as they helped spark the larger Rebellion.
Star Wars Resistance: October 7, 2018 This anime-inspired series focused on a young pilot recruited to spy on the First Order shortly before the events of The Force Awakens.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: May 4, 2021 A spin-off of The Clone Wars, this series follows a group of elite clones navigating the immediate aftermath of Order 66.
Star Wars: Visions: September 22, 2021 An anthology series featuring various animation studios from Japan, offering unique, non-canon interpretations of the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi: October 26, 2022 A collection of shorts focusing on the lives of Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku during the prequel era.
Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: May 4, 2024 Following the format of Tales of the Jedi, this series explores the dark side through the eyes of characters like Morgan Elsbeth and Barriss Offee.
Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld: Expected 2025 Per official guides, this upcoming anthology is set to span various eras of the criminal underworld in the galaxy.

Live-Action Disney+ Series

The launch of Disney+ in 2019 ushered in a new era of high-budget live-action television, significantly expanding the timeline around the Fall of the Empire and the High Republic era.

The Mandalorian: November 12, 2019 The flagship show for Disney+, The Mandalorian introduced the "Child" (Grogu) and followed a bounty hunter across the outer reaches of the galaxy five years after Return of the Jedi.
The Book of Boba Fett: December 29, 2021 A direct spin-off of The Mandalorian, this series explored Boba Fett's survival and his attempt to take over Jabba the Hutt's criminal empire.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: May 27, 2022 Set ten years after Revenge of the Sith, this limited series brought back Ewan McGregor as the titular Jedi Master during his exile on Tatooine.
Andor: September 21, 2022 A gritty spy thriller following Cassian Andor five years before the events of Rogue One. It is widely praised for its grounded approach to the rebellion.
Ahsoka: August 22, 2023 Picking up plot threads from Rebels and The Mandalorian, this series follows Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to the galaxy.
The Acolyte: June 4, 2024 Set during the High Republic era (about 100 years before the prequels), this series explored the emergence of dark side powers during a time of apparent peace.
Skeleton Crew: December 3, 2024 A coming-of-age story following a group of children lost in space, set in the same timeframe as The Mandalorian.

Future Star Wars Release Dates (2026 and Beyond)

Lucasfilm has several major theatrical projects in development, marking a return to the big screen after a long hiatus following the sequel trilogy.

The Mandalorian & Grogu: May 22, 2026 Directed by Jon Favreau, this will be the first theatrical film since 2019. It will continue the story established in the Disney+ series and is currently slated for a major Memorial Day weekend release.
Star Wars: Starfighter (Untitled Project): May 28, 2027 While many details remain under wraps, a release date has been reserved for a new theatrical feature in May 2027.
New Jedi Order (Rey Movie): Release Date TBD This film will see the return of Rey as she attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order fifteen years after The Rise of Skywalker.
Dawn of the Jedi: Release Date TBD Directed by James Mangold, this project will go back to the very beginning of the Force, thousands of years before the Skywalker Saga.

Understanding the Chronological vs. Release Order

When watching Star Wars, fans often choose between two primary methods: Release Order and Chronological Order.

Release Order

This is the order in which the public first saw the stories. This method is often recommended for first-time viewers because it preserves the major plot twists of the original trilogy.

Original Trilogy (IV, V, VI)
Prequel Trilogy (I, II, III)
The Clone Wars (Movie and Series)
Sequel Trilogy (VII, VIII, IX)
Anthology Films and Disney+ Series

Chronological Order

This method follows the timeline of the events as they occur in the fictional universe. It starts with the earliest point in history and moves forward.

The Acolyte (High Republic era)
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
The Clone Wars (Animated series)
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
The Bad Batch & Solo: A Star Wars Story
Obi-Wan Kenobi & Andor
Rogue One
Episode IV: A New Hope
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew
Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Why Star Wars Release Dates Often Shift

Historically, Star Wars was a "May franchise." George Lucas released all six of his films in May, coinciding with his birthday and the start of the summer movie season. However, when Disney took over, they moved the primary release window to December to capitalize on the holiday season and minimize competition with other summer blockbusters.

With the announcement of The Mandalorian & Grogu for May 2026, the franchise appears to be returning to its roots. This "May tradition" is significant for many long-term fans who associate the early summer with the launch of new galactic adventures.

Summary of Every Major Release

Title	Release Date	Type
A New Hope	May 25, 1977	Movie
The Empire Strikes Back	May 21, 1980	Movie
Return of the Jedi	May 25, 1983	Movie
The Phantom Menace	May 19, 1999	Movie
Attack of the Clones	May 16, 2002	Movie
Revenge of the Sith	May 19, 2005	Movie
The Clone Wars (Movie)	August 15, 2008	Movie
The Force Awakens	December 18, 2015	Movie
Rogue One	December 16, 2016	Movie
The Last Jedi	December 15, 2017	Movie
Solo	May 25, 2018	Movie
The Rise of Skywalker	December 20, 2019	Movie
The Mandalorian	November 12, 2019	Series
The Acolyte	June 4, 2024	Series
The Mandalorian & Grogu	May 22, 2026	Movie

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the very first Star Wars release date?

The very first Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope, was released on May 25, 1977. At the time, it was released in only 32 theaters across the United States.

When is the next Star Wars movie coming out?

The next confirmed theatrical release is The Mandalorian & Grogu, scheduled for May 22, 2026. This will be the first Star Wars film in theaters in seven years.

Are there any Star Wars movies coming out in 2025?

Currently, there are no live-action theatrical films scheduled for 2025. However, the anthology series Tales of the Underworld is expected to release on Disney+ during that year.

In what order should I watch Star Wars for the first time?

Most experts and fans recommend the Release Order (IV, V, VI, then I, II, III, then VII, VIII, IX) for first-time viewers. This ensures that the emotional impact of the original films is not spoiled by the prequels.

Why did Disney change the release dates to December?

Disney shifted the release of the Sequel Trilogy to December to take advantage of the lucrative holiday movie-going window. It also allowed them to avoid direct competition with their other major franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which typically dominates the May release slot.

Conclusion

The timeline of Star Wars release dates reflects the evolution of modern cinema. From the experimental days of the 1970s to the meticulously planned multi-platform releases of the 2020s, the franchise continues to grow. Whether you are following the Skywalker Saga or diving into the diverse stories on Disney+, understanding the release order provides a clear roadmap of how this fictional galaxy was built piece by piece over the last 47 years. With new theatrical releases confirmed for 2026 and 2027, the Star Wars calendar is far from finished.