Okay, fellow Star Wars fans (or those who are wanting to get into Star Wars). How about a fun challenge?

I’ve already admitted to being a big nerd, so it should probably not come as a surprise that I’m also into Star Wars. I pretty much love all Star Wars (and that even includes some of the books Disney has released), although I came into my fandom via the prequels (I know, I know, but they’re way better than ANYONE ever gave them credit for). So I sort of inadvertently started my journey as a Star Wars fan by watching the movies in chronological order, but if you’re looking to watch  ALL the Star Wars movies and TV shows in chronological order, I’m going to help you out.

So will you accept this challenge?  Trust me, it’s easier than making the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs. So here’s a rundown of the order you need to watch ever Star Wars movie and TV show. Let’s go!

BBY and ABY

First, we’ll need to explain how the galaxy far, far away views time. Like we have BC and AD, the universe that Star Wars is set in has BBY and ABY. BBY is Before the Battle of Yavin, which happened at the end of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. 

BBY refers to After the Battle of Yavin, so it’s everything that happened after Episode IV. Got it? Okay, moving on…

Dawn of the Jedi

So we’re going to start with a Star Wars movie that was announced, but that we haven’t received a lot of details on yet. That’s the James Mangold-directed Dawn of the Jedi movie that is set to take place in 25,000 BBY. The movie will reportedly reveal the history of the Jedi Order and the origin story of the Force. YES! BBY refers to After the Battle of Yavin, so it’s everything that happened after Episode IV. Got it? Okay, moving on…

This would provide a brand new story in a completely new setting and timeline that we haven’t yet seen in Star Wars. I don’t know about you, but I can’t WAIT to find out more about this movie.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures

Okay, so there are two eras we need to talk about. There’s the Old Republic era, which happens around 4,000 BBY — so far, we haven’t seen any TV shows or movies dedicated to this era (although there have been a few video games set in that time). Then there’s the High Republic Era, which is when Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures occurs (232 BBY). This animated show might be mostly targeted to kids, but it’s a great introduction to the High Republic Era. Plus, who can resist Nubs? This young Jedi EXISTS to sell us all adorable cute and fuzzy merchandise.

The series follows the adventures of Jedi younglings who are starting to go out on their own to explore the world and learn valuable lessons about the Force and themselves. This show also features a younger Yoda, so what’s not to love?

The Acolyte

Love it or hate, The Acolyte still exists in the Star Wars timeline. Honestly, I don’t think this show was even given a fair shot, and it was far better than its critics would have you believe. The Acolyte takes place in 132 BBY, which is also the High Republic era, and I’m still disappointed we won’t get to see more.

One thing this show managed well was showing how the Jedi can be just as flawed and judgmental as their Sith counterparts. It also gave us The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto as a Sith, and that alone makes it worth watching.

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

Although controversial at its time, the Star Wars prequel trilogy has become hugely popular. In The Phantom Menace, we’re introduced to a very young Obi-Wan Kenobi training under Master Qui Gon while the two discover a boy strong in the Force named Anakin Skywalker (yes, the future Darth Vader). Plus it’s the movie that introduces Jar Jar Binks. I’m also pretty sure Lucasfilm blew its entire budget on Princess Amidala’s elaborate costumes.

Episode 1 is set in 32 BBY, putting it much closer to the Battle of Yavin (because it is part of a prequel series that came before the original series).

Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones

In Episode 2, Amidala is now a Senator (that’s how things work on Naboo — you’re royalty for only a limited amount of time then you’re forced to get a day job). Anakin is all grown up, and well, let’s just say Amidala has noticed. The movie, which takes place in 22 BBY introduces us to The Clone Wars for the first time plus it’s got that whole romance story on the side (even if it’s not a well-written one).

So in 10 years time, Anakin grows up, becomes hot, and starts feeling frustrated by the limitations the Jedi Order is putting on him. He defies Jedi tradition and ends up marrying Padme at the end of the movie (yeah, this won’t end well). Anakin also loses an arm. Ouch.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Okay, it’s time for an animated interlude, because the story of The Clone Wars is told much better in the The Clone Wars animated series. It takes place from 22-19 BBY, before Anakin and Padme say “I do.” This is where we first meet Ahsoka, a promising Jedi padawan, who ultimately gets betrayed by the order (yes, I’m still salty about how they treated her). This is where you’ll discover why Ahsoka later says, “I am no Jedi.”

The final season of The Clone Wars overlaps events that take place during the third prequel movie, including Order 66, which was the order that was given to the clones to eradicate the Jedi Order just before the Empire takes power over the galaxy. Spoiler alert: Ahsoka lives (she kinda’ had to because she has her own series now).

Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith

In 19 BBY, Anakin begins falling to the Dark Side, mostly due to the fear of losing Padme that has taken over his heart, but also due to the manipulations of Palpatine, the soon-to-be Emperor. This is the official origin story of Darth Vader, but it’s also the birth story of Luke and Leia.

Of the prequels, this is my favorite. Dark Side Anakin is way more interesting than  awkward teenager-in-love Anakin. Also, the scene between Obi-Wan and him on Mustafar is utterly heartbreaking. YOU WERE MY BROTHER, ANAKIN.

The Bad Batch

Okay, so the next few projects happen around the same time. The Bad Batch starts around 19 BBY and introduces us to some Clone Troopers were were outcasts and who refer to themselves as The Bad Batch. They band together with another clone, a young female clone by the name of Omega, to fight the Empire.

The Bad Batch also offers a good perspective of how the Empire slowly begins taking hold of the galaxy and what that means for each planet. No spoilers, but don’t get too attached to these clones because THIS SHOW WILL BREAK YOUR HEART.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Okay, I lied, but I feel like we need to throw in the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order video game here, too, which is set around the same time in 14 BBY. This is after Order 66 has been executed and those remaining Jedi who were lucky to survive it are on the run, including Cal Kestis.

I feel like Cal is an important figure in Star Wars lore, and it’s worth it to play the game to get some more details about what life was like after order 66. Also, I’m 99.9 percent sure Cal will end up in a live-action project at some point. I am ALL up for seeing Cameron Monaghan reprise his role as Cal in a live-action movie or TV show.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Han Solo wasn’t always the Han Solo we know and love from the original trilogy. He was a bit of a miscreant as a younger man, and this movie, which takes place around 13-10 BBY is his origin story. The movie even shows how Han gets his hands on the Millennium Falcon AND how he and Chewbacca first meet.

This one is a MUST if you’re going into the original trilogy because you get a good look into who Han was BEFORE he fell for a princess from Alderaan. It also explains a lot about his character and the decisions he makes in future movies.

Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

Just a quick mention of the second Cal Kestis video game, Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, which takes place in 9 BBY. Cal returns for another adventure in this video game, which I have to admit, I haven’t played yet (hey, I’ve been busy). But again, I feel like Cal is going to be a huge figure in the future, so I’m including it here.

Or maybe I’m just trying to manifest a live-action Cal Kestis. Whatever it takes. Disney, are you paying attention? Also, I have to mention that those adorable BD droids that are often found wandering around Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are the same model as the droid that’s Cal’s BFF.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

After the “incident” with that whole Anakin-turning-into-Darth-Vader mess, Obi-Wan Kenobi gives up and becomes a hermit, but he comes out of hiding in 9 BBY for his own series, Obi-Wan-Kenobi. Poor Obi-Wan has to come face-to-face with his old friend, Anakin who is now Darth Vader. But more importantly, he also gets to spend some time with a very sassy young Princess Leia.

Obi-Wan’s story in this series leads directly into where we find him (hiding out in a cave) in the first movie of the original trilogy.

Star Wars Rebels

Okay, we are now at what is my all-time favorite animated Star Wars series and maybe my all-time favorite Star Wars thing ever. That is Star Wars Rebels, which takes place around 5 BBY. The Jedi Order is gone, the Rebellion is beginning to build itself, and a misfit crew has banded together to become one of the key players in that Rebellion.

Pay attention, though, because these characters are also SUPER-important to the Ahsoka series and if you haven’t watched this first, you might be confused. Also, it has one of my favorite Star Wars characters EVER in it, Hera Syndulla (and yes, I even paint myself green and cosplay her). I will also argue that she’s the best pilot in all of Star Wars.

Andor

The Andor series takes place just a few years later, in 9BBY, before the events in the first movie of the original trilogy and right before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. We learn how Cassian Andor becomes a member of the Rebellion and learn about how the Rebellion is organized and how it gained strength.

We also get to see some FABULOUS costumes on Mon Mothma, and honestly, that’s really why I watch this show (just kidding — the storytelling of Andor is top-notch).

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One introduces us to my OTHER favorite character in Star Wars, Jyn Erso (yep, I cosplay her, too). Rogue One is set in 0 BBY and is actually directly leading up to the Battle of Yavin. This movie explains how the Rebellion ended up with the Death Star plans that help them destroy the Death Star in Episode 1.

You’ll also find Cassian Andor in this movie (which is when the character was actually introduced). If you’ve managed to read this far, we’re in the home stretch now…well…kinda’.

Star Wars Episode 1: A New Hope

Episode 1 is the movie that started it all when it was released way back in 1977. But in the chronological timeline, it’s set in 0 BBY, so it actually takes place later than MOST other Star Wars TV shows and movies. This is the movie that introduces all the classic Star Wars characters we know and love like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca.

The movie ends with the Rebellion defeating the Empire at the Battle of Yavin, so we’re moving into a whole new time period going forward. We can now say goodbye to BBY and hello to ABY!

Star Wars Episode 2: The Empire Strikes Back

However, the Empire wasn’t going to go down so easily, so in The Empire Strikes Back, the Empire…well, it strikes back. This movie takes place a few years after the Battle of Yavin in 3 BBY when Luke is trying to learn more about mastering the Force from the wacky Master Yoda (seriously, Yoda is UNHINGED in this movie).

Luke, however, abandons his training to go save his friends because Han, Leia, and Chewbacca just can’t stay out of trouble. Also, Han gets himself frozen in carbonite and then is kinda’ a jerk to Leia when she admits that she loves him (um… “I know?” REALLY, DUDE?). Honestly, this is my least fave movie of the original trilogy, but I still love it because Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian is 🔥🔥🔥 even if he does betray Han. Also, Luke learns that Darth Vader is his daddy and that’s a moment that lives on in many Star Wars fans’ memories.

Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi

All good things must come to an end, and so, too, did what many thought was the last Star Wars project ever, Episode 6. This could be my favorite movie of the original trilogy, but mostly because I remember being young and thinking the Ewoks were sweet and adorable (before realizing they have a dark side). This movie takes place just a year later in 4 BBY.

There’s a huge battle, the FINAL battle (or so we thought), and the Empire is ultimately defeated. But as future films have shown, evil always seems to want to hang around even after getting blown out of the sky. Shortly after this movie, Han and Leia get married on Endor (for those events, you’ll have to read the book Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel, which also introduces the Halcyon Starcruiser).

The Mandalorian

The chronological timeline gets a little muddled between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy, so seasons 1 and 2 of The Mandalorian are next because they take place in 9BBY. So if you’re watching chronologically, coo and “awww” over little Grogu and then head on into The Book of Boba Fett.

Yes, this is the series that gave us ANOTHER character that we’re pretty sure was created to sell tons of merchandise. And you know what? It worked (staring at my Grogu Loungefly RIGHT NOW). You got me, Disney. You got me. I swear if anything happens to that little Baby Yoda, I will throw hands!

The Book of Boba Fett

In the middle of The Mandalorian, we got The Book of Boba Fett, which told the story of how Boba Fett escaped the jaws of a Sarlaac and survived to become a big pain for Jabba the Hutt. So part of The Book of Boba Fett happens BEFORE The Mandalorian, while the rest happens after The Mandalorian season 2, so the show covers 9-11 ABY. Like I said it gets confusing.

Even more confusing is that you’ll want to watch this BEFORE season 3 of The Mandalorian because the end of The Book of Boba Fett leads into season 3 of that show. Have fun figuring all that out!

The Skeleton Crew

Disney recently revealed that the upcoming The Skeleton Crew takes place around 9 BBY, which means it’s happening about the same time as all these other shows because why not? So the Empire has been defeated, and four kids are busy discovering something that gets them lost in a “strange and dangerous galaxy.”

During their adventures, they’ll be trying to find their way home and meeting allies and enemies along the way. 

Ahsoka

Season 3 of The Mandalorian sets up the first season of the live-action Ahsoka — yep, the same character we first met way back in The Clone Wars. And honestly, Ahsoka’s first season, which happens in 11 ABY,  is a live-action continuation of The Clone Wars because Ahsoka is looking for Ezra, who (SPOILER ALERT) goes missing at the end of The Clone Wars.

She finds him, alright, along with a certain blue-skinned ex-Empire baddie named Thrawn who is just itching to start trouble for the galaxy all over again. Season 2 of Ahsoka is on the way!

Star Wars Resistance

So Star Wars Resistance is a show that not a lot of folks seem to know about, but it was an animated series that took place in 34-35 ABY and took place just before Episode 7. This show basically set up the setting of what was happening before we met Rey, Finn, Poe, and the rest of the sequel trilogy crew, and even introduced Captain Phasma and BB-8 with several mentions of Poe Dameron.

So at this point, the First Order has become the new Empire, and a new rebellion known as the Resistance is beginning to form and take on the bad guys…again.

Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens

In Episode 7, we see events that happen in 34 ABY. The First Order is now in power, the Jedi are mostly gone) and a young woman who can use the Force gets thrown into the middle of the Resistance because they decided to land on the planet she lives on.

There are adventures, reunions (Han and Leia’s is particularly touching), a sniveling Sith named Kylo Ren (you know, that guy that sometimes works in the Rise of the Resistance ride), and it all sets up a new sequel trilogy that echoes themes from the original trilogy.

Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi was particularly controversial when it came out, for no good reason, but in my opinion, it’s a solid film because it takes Star Wars in some new directions. However, it lands at around 34 ABY in the timeline as we follow Rey beginning to train as a Jedi under none other than Luke Skywalker.

There’s also a side quest at a casino and some misdirection about how important that side quest is, but overall, the events in this movie still set up the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.

Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker

The Rise of Skywalker happens shortly after the events of Episode 8, around 35 BBY. We find out that Emperor Palpatine is still SOMEHOW still around (oddly revealed in the opening credits) and that maybe Kylo Ren isn’t ALL bad (let’s face it — part of the story of Star Wars is about redemption).

At the end of the movie, the Skywalker saga has officially ended, although Rey declares herself as a Skywalker at the end. This movie also has one of the saddest moments in all of Star Wars history, as the characters must say goodbye to Princess Leia after the death of her actress, Carrie Fisher. Pack the tissues for that scene.

Untitled Movie

But wait! The Skywalker saga continues with Rey Skywalker in a new untitled movie that takes place after the sequels. We don’t have a lot of details about this film yet, but it falls last in the timeline, which means we’re all caught up on the chronology (until Disney throws more Star Wars at us).

Actress Daisy Ridley is set to return as Rey, with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy directing. The film is reportedly about the “New Jedi Order” whatever that turns out to be. So the Skywalkers live on through Rey.

If you’ve made it this far, CONGRATULATIONS! You now understand how all the Star Wars movies and TV shows fit in with each other. Yes, watching ALL of it is a BIG commitment, but well worth it to relive the stories we all love so much all over again, right? It’s the journey, my fellow Star Wars friends, not the destination.

To sum up, I’ll quote Yoda: “On many long journeys have I gone. And waited, too, for others to return from journeys of their own. Some return; some are broken; some come back so different only their names remain.” 

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

9 Loungefly Bags You’ll LOVE if Your Favorite Disney Ride Is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

What’s your favorite Star Wars story from the TV shows and movies? Who are your favorite characters? Share with me in the comments!