The Chronological Order of Star Wars Films, in Case You've Forgotten

“The Phantom Menace” was the first big expansion of the Star Wars world, coming 16 years after “Return of the Jedi.” The film showed what the Jedi Order and New Republic looked like before the Empire came and destroyed it all. “The Phantom Menace” also introduced Ewan McGregor as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi and Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala, Luke and Leia’s mother.

“Attack of the Clones” added Hayden Christensen to the cast as the adult version of Anakin Skywalker. “Attack of the Clones” is also the Star Wars film with the most romance. It shows Padmé and Anakin falling in love, and secretly marrying.

“Revenge of the Sith” was the culmination of everything the prequels were trying to set up. Anakin turned into Vader, Padmé gave birth to Luke and Leia before she died, Obi-Wan went into hiding, and the New Republic was destroyed.

“Solo” served as an origin story for Han Solo. In the movie, Alden Ehrenreich played the iconic smuggler. He was joined by Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, who still might get his own spin-off show. The cast also included Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Thandiwe Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Paul Bettany, plus Joonas Suotamo reprising his role as Chewbacca.

The film was not well-received at the box office, which is part of the reason why the Star Wars universe pivoted toward Disney+ shows.

“Rogue One” tells the story of how the rebels got their hands on the plans to the Death Star. The information is essential to the destruction of the Death Star in the first Star Wars film. The cast includes Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, Ben Mendelsohn as Orson Krennic, Riz Ahmed as Bodhi Rook, and Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera. Jimmy Smits also reprised his role as Bail Organa, Princess Leia’s adopted father, from the prequel trilogy.

Though “Rogue One” is a standalone that ended with the death of most of its main characters, some of the cast will return for the Disney+ series “Andor,” which will serve as a prequel.

“A New Hope” is the movie that started it all. Originally, it was only greenlit as a standalone film, and its name was simply “Star Wars” until the sequels were announced. The film introduces us to Mark Hamill as Luke, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, and Harrison Ford as Han Solo. The events of “Obi-Wan Kenobi” on Disney+ take place sometime before this movie.

“The Empire Strikes Back” is generally regarded as the best Star Wars film of all. It’s where fans learned that Darth Vader was actually Luke’s father, the Jedi Anakin Skywalker who has turned to the dark side.

“Return of the Jedi” was, for a long time, the most controversial Star Wars film – that is until the prequels stole that dubious honour. Harrison Ford famously wanted Han to die in the film, and many felt that the film’s cuddly Ewoks were actually too cute. “The Mandolorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett” take place after this movie.

“The Force Awakens” opened up a new chapter in Star Wars, introducing us to Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford also reprised their roles as Leia and Han. “The Force Awakens” balances nostalgia for the past films with a new story.

Ask 100 Star Wars fans how they feel about “The Last Jedi,” and you’ll get 100 different answers. Directed by Rian Johnson, the movie went in a bold new direction for the franchise, and reintroduced Mark Hamill as an old Luke Skywalker. The movie also gave us Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico. It was the last Star Wars movie Carrie Fisher filmed before her death in 2016.

The Skywalker Saga finally ended with “The Rise of Skywalker.” The movie saw the return of Emperor Palpatine, and the demise of Kylo Ren (aka Ben Solo), but not before he and Rey kissed. At the end of the movie, Rey takes the last name Skywalker for herself.

Carrie Fisher’s Leia also appeared in the movie using footage that director J.J. Abrams had collected during “The Force Awakens.”