Every Star Wars movie, TV series and animation in correct chronological order – The Mercury News
A long time ago, in a mixed-up order of films from L.A., the “Star Wars” saga began in 1977 with its fourth episode.
Since then, the space opera series has manifested itself as a billion-dollar box office franchise with record-breaking TV shows and several animated series.
Today, we try to restore order, at least chronologically, to the galaxy as Episode 9, “Rise of Skywalker,” is released this month. Spoiler alerts for the old movies, not the newest.
Related: The latest news about Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
“The Phantom Menace”
Released in 1999, Episode 1.
The Jedi council sends two of its most trusted (Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi) to the planet of Naboo, blockaded by the Trade Federation. The Jedi rescue Padme Amidala, queen of Naboo and a Gungan outcast named Jar Jar Binks.
Darth Sidious, a Sith and enemy of the Jedi, is influencing the Trade Federation to build a droid army and invade Naboo. The Jedi learn of the federation’s plan to attack and narrowly escape, winding up on a distant planet called Tatooine.
Amidala, her droid R2-D2 and the Jedi meet a young slave named Anakin Skywalker who they learn has a strong connection to the Force. Skywalker earns his freedom by winning a pod race and he and the droid he built — C-3PO — leave with the queen and Jedi knights.
Darth Maul, a Sith apprentice, follows the Jedi and Amidala to Tatooine. He attacks and reveals the Sith presence to the Jedi.
Back on Naboo, the Gungans and Queen Amidala’s army thwart the droid army. Darth Maul kills Qui-Gon Jinn but is defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Kenobi takes on Anakin as a Jedi trainee.
“Attack of the Clones”
Released in 2002, Episode 2.
Ten years after the battle of Naboo, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. After an assassination attempt on Amidala is foiled, Obi-Wan investigates the case while Anakin escorts Amidala back to Naboo, where they fall in love.
The two travel to Tatooine attempting to save Anakin’s mom. After her death, Anakin kills the Tusken Raiders responsible. Later, Anakin and Amidala secretly wed.
Count Dooku is the new Sith apprentice, Darth Tyranus. Tyranus uses bounty hunter Jango Fett’s DNA to build an army of clones on a planet called Kamino.
The Chancellor dispatches Yoda, Mace Windu and the clone army to rescue Kenobi and company on Geonosis. The clone army defeats the droids. Dooku escapes and delivers plans for a battle station called the Death Star to his master, Darth Sidious.
“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”
Animated series (6 seasons starting in 2008 that totaled 121 episodes and one film)
It takes place during the three years between the prequel films “Episode II: Attack of the Clones” and “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” The series follows Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, allied with the clone army, in a fight against a droid army that is at the behest of the Trade Federation and Dark Side.
Episodes feature the gangster Jabba the Hutt, Count Dooku and Darth Maul, who became a cyborg.
“Revenge of the Sith”
Released in 2005, Episode 3.
Three years after the battle on Geonosis, the Jedi Knights and clone army have been fighting the Confederacy of Independent Systems led by Count Dooku and a cyborg, Gen. Grievous.
Palpatine reveals himself as a Sith Lord to Anakin and seduces him with the powers of the dark side. The Emperor issues Order 66, which turns the clone armies against the Jedi.
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”
Released in 2018.
It takes place 10 years before the events of “A New Hope” and details how Han Solo, Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian meet.
“Star Wars Rebels”
Animated series. Four seasons started in 2014 that totaled 75 episodes.
It takes place five years before the events of “A New Hope” and follows a teenager fighting against Imperial forces.
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Released in 2016.
The story ends just as Episode 4 begins. Jen Erso and a group of rebel spies set out on a mission to steal the plans for the Galactic Empire’s massive weapon, the Death Star. The mission is successful but costly.
“A New Hope”
Released in 1977, Episode 4.
Nineteen years after the formation of the Galactic Empire, Princess Leia Organa is captured by Darth Vader. Leia places the Imperial Death Star plans in R2-D2, who escapes along with C-3P0 to Tatooine, where Kenobi lives. The droids become the property of Luke Skywalker’s uncle.
Luke’s family is killed and Kenobi cuts a deal for transportation with smugglers, Han Solo and Chewbacca, who are in debt to the gangster Jabba the Hutt. Kenobi is killed by Vader, allowing the others to escape.Skywalker joins the rebels and uses the Force to destroy the empire’s Death Star.
“The Empire Strikes Back”
Released in 1980, Episode 5.
Three years after the Death Star is destroyed, the Imperial forces find and overtake the rebel base on the icy planet Hoth.
The rebels flee and Solo is captured by Vader at Lando Calrissian’s Cloud City. Solo is taken by Boba Fett to Jabba the Hutt.
Skywalker leaves Yoda to mount a rescue. Vader fights Luke Skywalker and severs his hand with a lightsaber. Vader then reveals he is Luke’s father.
Luke refuses to turn to the Dark Side and flees.
“Return of the Jedi”
Released in 1983, Episode 6.
A year later, a rescue plan is attempted and Luke saves the day as Leia kills Jabba. Luke returns to Yoda, who confirms Vader is Anakin Skywalker, then dies of old age.
The rebels become aware that the Emperor is building a new Death Star and send their fleet to attack.
Luke battles Vader before the Emperor on the Death Star and refuses to turn to the Dark Side. He is tortured by the Emperor.
Unwilling to see his son die, Vader kills the Emperor but dies from his wounds.
The rebels, aided by Ewoks on the nearby forest moon of Endor, prevail against Imperial forces.
“The Mandalorian” is a TV series that began airing on Disney+ in November.
The series takes place five years after the events of “Return of the Jedi.” The series follows a bounty hunter protecting a childlike Yoda character that can use the Force.
“Star Wars Resistance” is an animated series that began in 2018 with 20 episodes and is still being produced. It takes place six months before “The Force Awakens” and follows a young pilot on adventures during the rise of the First Order.
“The Force Awakens”
Released in 2015, Episode 7.
The story picks up 30 years after “Return of the Jedi.” The First Order has risen from the fallen Galactic Empire under Supreme Leader Snoke.
The Resistance is commanded by Gen. Leia Organa, who had a son with Han Solo, Kylo Ren, who turned to the Dark Side.
A map of Luke Skywalker’s location is hidden in a droid called BB-8, which bumps into a young woman named Rey. Rey meets Solo, who is later killed by his son.
Rey begins to learn she can use the Force and helps defeat the First Order’s Starkiller base.
“The Last Jedi”
Released in 2017, Episode 8.
Rey seeks Jedi training from a reluctant Luke Skywalker. Ordered to kill Rey, Kylo kills Snoke instead and together they defeat Snoke’s guards.
Rey refuses to rule the galaxy with Kylo. The two fight until Rey escapes and joins forces on the planet Crait. When the First Order arrives, Luke appears and confronts them.
After a lightsaber duel, Kylo realizes that Luke is not physically present but a projection of the Force, allowing Rey and survivors time to flee.
Luke dies peacefully on a faraway planet.
“The Rise of Skywalker”
To be released this month, Episode 9. The film’s premiere is Monday and wide release is Dec. 20.
Tickets for the film’s first days are scarce, as it has the second-highest box office presale behind “Avengers Endgame.”
Carrie Fisher died in 2016 and her appearance as Leia is from footage shot during previous episodes.
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