Over nearly five decades, the Star Wars universe has evolved into one of the most massive media franchises in cinematic history. Nine feature films, dozens of hours of series content, animated projects, and upcoming premieres make figuring out the timeline genuinely challenging for viewers returning to the franchise or experiencing it for the first time. Meanwhile, Lucasfilm continues to actively expand the universe: 2026 saw the release of the feature film The Mandalorian and Grogu and the animated series Maul: Shadow Lord, while several major projects have already been announced for 2027, when the franchise marks its 50th anniversary. We break down the order in which to watch the main saga, where the spin-offs fit in, and what to expect from upcoming premieres.
Where to Start: Release Date Order vs. Chronological Order
The franchise's first film premiered in 1977, though it was later titled Episode IV: A New Hope. Because of this, the chronological release order does not match the internal timeline of events in the galaxy. For viewers experiencing the saga for the first time, experts recommend watching the main films in release order: A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), followed by The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), Revenge of the Sith (2005), and finally The Force Awakening (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). This approach allows viewers to gradually get to know the characters without spoiling George Lucas's original trilogy plot twists. Alternatively, if a viewer wants to follow the story from the earliest events, chronological order is acceptable: Episodes I, II, III, then IV, V, VI, and concluding with VII, VIII, IX. These nine films are quite sufficient for understanding the core Skywalker family story.
Spin-offs and Series: How They Fit Into the Big Picture
Beyond the main saga, the Star Wars universe features a number of projects dedicated to specific characters and events between episodes. May 2025 marked the conclusion of the second season of Andor starring Diego Luna. The series details the formation of the Rebel Alliance and Cassian Andor's journey toward fighting the Galactic Empire. According to Lucasfilm, the series serves as a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the events of which directly precede Episode IV. Together, these stories track the development of the rebellion and the circumstances leading up to the original trilogy. According to the official StarWars guide, the live-action chronological film order as of 2026 accounts for all released projects, excluding animated films and series, as well as projects with scheduled future release dates.
The Mandalorian and Grogu: The New Feature Film
On May 22, 2026, The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau, hit theaters. Pedro Pascal returned as bounty hunter Din Djarin, embarking on a new adventure alongside Grogu. The film's events unfold after the fall of the Galactic Empire, as the New Republic struggles to restore order in the galaxy. Chronologically, the film is set between the sixth and seventh episodes of the main saga. For those wanting a continuous narrative line, The Book of Boba Fett is essential, as several of its episodes continue the story of Din Djarin and Grogu. At the same time, the new movie stands well enough on its own as an independent adventure. According to the project's official page, the film is already available in digital format and on the Disney+ streaming platform.
Maul: Shadow Lord and Animated Projects
On April 6, 2026, the animated series Maul: Shadow Lord premiered. The story follows the former Sith as he attempts to rebuild his criminal organization following the fall of the Republic. Along the way, Maul crosses paths with a young former Jedi apprentice. To better understand the character's backstory, viewers are advised to first watch the animated series The Clone Wars and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, followed by The Bad Batch and then the new series. On April 2, 2026, Lucasfilm officially announced that Maul: Shadow Lord has been renewed for a second season. A premiere date for the new season had not been announced at the time of publication.
2027: The 50th Franchise Anniversary and Major Premieres
In 2027, Star Wars will celebrate its half-century milestone, and Lucasfilm has already announced several projects for the occasion. Rosario Dawson will return as Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's former apprentice. Hayden Christensen and Eman Esfandi will also appear in the continuation. On August 15, 2026, Lucasfilm debuted the first teaser for Ahsoka Season 2 and confirmed its Disney+ release date. The series takes place after the events of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Viewers should watch the first season before diving into the continuation, and explore The Clone Wars and Rebels for a deeper understanding of Ahsoka's story. To mark the 50th anniversary, a theatrical re-release of the digitally remastered 1977 original film is planned. According to an official announcement on September 8, 2026, the film will screen in IMAX for the first time, with select theaters offering 70mm IMAX film screenings. While the release will be limited, no separate confirmation of screenings in Ukraine has been received as of publication.
New Ryan Gosling Film: A Standalone Story
Director Shawn Levy will present a standalone story featuring new characters that will not serve as a direct continuation of previous trilogies. Ryan Gosling will star in the lead role. His character, Cade Oberon, is a man with a mysterious past whose destiny is tied to an exceptionally fast starfighter. In August 2026, the actor shared initial details about his character and role in the project. Thus, by the franchise's 50th anniversary, audiences will receive both continuations of beloved stories and an entirely new chapter unbound by the canon of previous trilogies.
