From big to small screen and back to the big screen again, Star Wars remains one of the world’s largest entertainment franchises.
‘Bad Batch,’ ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘The Last Jedi’
Disney/Lucasfilm (3)
Initially known for theatrically released blockbusters for the first two decades of its existence (despite dipping its toe in TV, occasionally), the George Lucas space-opera finally succumbed to television properly in the Noughties with animated series The Clone Wars.
Since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, Star Wars has gone back and forth on both mediums on a regular basis (perhaps too regular for some). Regardless, the number of productions is impressive, most impressive.
Pegged to the newest addition in the franchise canon with Disney+’s The Acolyte, The Hollywood Reporter rounded up all the Star Wars movies and television shows in release order.
This story originally posted in February 2024 and will be updated with each release.
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A New Hope (1977)
The one that started it all. Initially released as Star Wars, it would receive the addition of A New Hope in subsequent re-releases. It was a positive cultural touchstone for the U.S., which was dealing with Watergate and the Vietnam War (which Lucas took inspiration from when it came to the battle between the plucky rebels and all-empowering Empire).
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Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
George Lucas’ first foray into small-screen Star Wars. This never-to-be-repeated, 100-minute extravaganza sees all the main cast reprising their roles; however, it’s safe to say the Holiday Special did not live up to its predecessor and Lucas wisely vaulted it. An animated sequence, which introduced the character of Boba Fett, is now available to watch on Disney+.
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The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Disney/Lucasfilm The sequel that proves Lucas’ vision was no fluke. Rather than simply revisiting the formula and giving audiences “Star Wars 2,” the director was canny enough to go with the classic trilogy structure — leaving our heroes in disarray at the movie’s denouement. Lucas was also canny enough to disavow himself of his auteurship by asking his former teacher Irvin Kershner to direct and leaving script duties to Leigh Brackett (with Lawrence Kasdan coming in to redraft after her death).
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Return of the Jedi (1983)
Lucas closed the original trilogy with a pleasing box office finale. With no word on further episodes (other than the odd interview quote), it seemed that the global sensation that was Star Wars had come to an end. How little did we know. Fun fact: Despite the abundance of them in the final third of Return of the Jedi, the word “Ewok” is never spoken on screen, though can be seen in closing credits.
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Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984)
Following on from their popularity in the third Star Wars film, the little furballs got their own spinoff. “Adventure” is perhaps selling this a little more grandly than this pedestrian television movie deserves. However, it was treated to a theatrical release outside the U.S.
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Ewoks (1985)
Airing during the snappily titled Ewoks and Droids Adventure Hour on Saturday mornings on ABC, this animated series continued exploiting the human-eating inhabitants of Endor. Set before the events of Return of the Jedi, the show follows the adventures of Wicket (who would memorably befriend Princess Leia) and his chums. The theme song was changed for the second and final season.
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Droids (1985)
Not making it to two seasons was this complementary cartoon starring C-3PO and R2-D2. Droids followed the dysfunctional couple on their adventures pre-A New Hope, and featured a memorable theme tune, “In Trouble Again” — written and sung by Stewart Copeland of rock outfit The Police. The track certainly didn’t trouble the charts. More notably, one episode was written by Joe Johnston, who would go on to direct films such as Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, Jumanji (1995) and Captain America: The First Avenger.
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Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985)
Another television movie for the Ewoks (who, by this point, had incredibly managed to rack up more screen time than Luke Skywalker). But this was their last outing. And this was also the last new live-action Star Wars until Episode I — The Phantom Menace, some 14 years later. The franchise would not see such a break again.
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Star Wars Special Editions (1997)
Carousing interest in the brand for the forthcoming prequels, the original trilogy was re-released into theaters with extra scenes and updated special FX. Though, as star Harrison Ford was so keen to observe, the acting remained the same. The box office demonstrated that the force was still very alive.
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The Phantom Menace (1999)
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd./Courtesy Everett Collection Hype on a level previously unseen in the world of entertainment culminated in the release of the first of the prequels. This resulted in a backlash from fans, also on a level previously unseen. Despite its perceived negativity, Episode I was re-released in cinemas in 2012 (as a 3-D conversion) and again in 2024 to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
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Attack of the Clones (2002)
Often cited as the weakest of the Prequel Trilogy, Episode II certainly doesn’t have the impact of its Original Trilogy cousin, The Empire Strikes Back. On the plus side, actor Ewan McGregor lightened up and relaxed into the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Sir Christopher Lee sent a Sith-sized shudder down the audience as Darth Maul replacement Count Dooku.
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Clone Wars (2003)
Produced by Cartoon Network Studios and led by Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack), this traditional 2-D animated show was Lucasfilm’s first foray into exploring the events between Episodes II and III. Ultimately, this fascinating entry was removed from the Star Wars canon, but can be enjoyed on Disney+ in their Vintage collection.
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Revenge of the Sith (2005)
For the second time in his career, George Lucas dropped the curtains on a Star Wars trilogy. The director managed the tricky task of successfully bringing it to a close while also tying into the Original Trilogy. At the box office, it managed to buck the trend by taking in more than its predecessor by almost $200 million.
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The Clone Wars (2008)
Described as “almost an afterthought” by George Lucas himself after reviewing footage, the big-screen debut of the animated series did not bode well. It was nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award (aka a Razzie) for “Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel,” but lost to another much-derided Lucasfilm production, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
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The Clone Wars (2008)
Image Credit: Disney+ / Courtesy Everett Collection However, after the shaky start, showrunner Dave Filoni steered the show into happier waters. Mainly following Padawan Ahsoka Tano, initially loathed by some quarters and now universally adored, the series grew and grew in confidence each season. The four-part finale is widely regarded by fandom as “peak” Star Wars.
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Rebels (2014)
Where The Clone Wars took its time to embed in the hearts of fans, this pre-A New Hope animated television series proved to be an instant hit. Its finale was bold and brave, and left fans in tears. However, it’s the season two finale that really shines with a blistering battle between Ahsoka and Darth Vader. So good, they partly re-created it in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
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The Force Awakens (2015)
The first flick in the House of Mouse age. While it may have been carbon(ite) copy of the original 1977 Star Wars movie, J.J. Abrams’ take on Lucas’ vision was a global smash and a re-ignition for the brand. At the box office, the force awoke taking in more than $2 billion globally and hitting the No. 1 slot in the all-time U.S. chart where it currently remains (not adjusted for inflation).
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
This was the first “standalone” of the new era, supposedly one of many that would follow. Based on the opening crawl of A New Hope, Rogue One satisfied the older fans’ lust for grit and gravitas. Vader’s now-iconic corridor scene during the film’s closing moments was, incredibly, a late addition to the movie. It was worth the ticket price alone.
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The Last Jedi (2017)
Image Credit: Disney Three Star Wars films in three years, and the strain was beginning to show. The response to director Rian Johnson’s take was divided and the box office was certainly muted compared to The Force Awakens (though it did make $1.3 billion globally, not to be sniffed at). Even before the film’s release, Lucasfilm announced that Johnson would be writing and directing a new trilogy. However, these films have yet to enter production.
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Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
And less than six months later, this arrived. A troubled production (which saw director Ron Howard replace The LEGO Movie’s Phil Lord and Christopher Miller), coupled with what some refer to as Force Fatigue, and the perceived failure of The Last Jedi could be the reason behind the lack of box office success for this enjoyable entry.
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Resistance (2018)
A prequel of sorts to The Force Awakens, this television outing managed to stretch to two seasons but, unlike its predecessors The Clone Wars and Rebels, there was no fan uproar when it didn’t make it to a third.
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The Mandalorian (2019)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lucasfilm Where Baby Yoda single-handedly lifted the franchise like an X-Wing out of a murky Dagobah swamp. The first Star Wars original for Disney+ was a global hit with audiences. However, the lukewarm reception of the third season has probably resulted in the show spinning-off onto the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu, currently due for release in 2026.
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The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Somehow, the fans didn’t return. J.J. Abrams returned to another troubled production (originally directed by Colin Trevorrow). But, as many feel, he failed to stick the landing. An ignoble exit for the Skywalker saga.
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The Bad Batch (2021)
First appearing in The Clone Wars, this unruly group of clones got their own spinoff, which features numerous nods to the prequels and original trilogy. Due to mutations, they were able to resist Order 66 (which turned all the Clones against the Jedi and sided with the Empire). Fans were excited to see the return of Asajj Ventress (who debuted in the 2-D animated Clone Wars) teased in the trailer for the third and final season.
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The Book of Boba Fett (2021)
Or, as some might dub it, The Mandalorian 2.5. The titular character’s much-awaited return proved to be an Easter egg-filled addition to the franchise, and then midway through, disposed of Mr. Fett in favor of catching up with Grogu and his shiny armored “dad.”
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Visions (2021)
Few Star Wars projects come along that change your perception of the franchise or, indeed, show it from such a unique perspective. Volume One, as it’s titled, was an anthology of nine anime shorts produced by Japanese studios. The second volume changed the format and opened up to the rest of the world, and was just as compelling. If animated shorts are your vibe, check out the Lucasfilm/Studio Ghibli collab Zen – Grogu and Dust Bunnies on Disney+. It’s gorgeous.
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The Bad Batch (2021)
Image Credit: Disney+ First appearing in The Clone Wars, this unruly group of clones got their own spinoff, which features numerous nods to the prequels and original trilogy. Due to mutations, they were able to resist Order 66 (which turned all the Clones against the Jedi and sided with the Empire). When the show came to a close in 2024 with its third season, fans were delighted that Omega, the show’s lead, managed to survive; leaving the door open for a return in animated or live-action form.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Disney+/Lucasfilms Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen reunited almost 20 years after filming their last outing, Revenge of the Sith, for this project, which started life as big-screen proposition. Even Liam Neeson got in on the action with a surprise finale appearance (and chronologically, the first time the audience sees a Force Ghost). There’s no news on a second season, but McGregor is all for it.
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Andor (2022)
Critically lauded and adored by fans (apart from those who referred to it “Andbore”), the Rogue One spinoff (yes, a spinoff of a spinoff) follows Cassian Andor (again played by Diego Luna) in the years leading up to the events of Rogue One. Season two is due to bring his story to a close in 2025.
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Tales of the Jedi (2022)
Really this is just the tales of two Jedi: fan favorite Ahsoka and Count Dooku. The latter, of course, debuted in Attack of the Clones, but was a Sith by that point. Here we see the young(er) Dooku with his Padawan, Qui-Gon Jinn, and fellow Jedi Mace Windu. Season two is due to drop in 2024.
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Young Jedi Adventures (2023)
You know, for kids? This charming series, set before the prequels, introduced new younglings with the odd guest appearance from Yoda. Nubs, a little hairy blue alien, is proving to be popular.
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Ahsoka (2023)
Arguably one of the most-loved characters — and certainly the one with the most interesting character arc over the years — Ahsoka Tano (played here by Rosario Dawson) finally broke out in her own live-action series after appearances in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. A second season was said to be in development, but there is still no official word.
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Tales of the Empire (2024)
Image Credit: © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved. A follow-up to 2022’s wonderful Tales of the Jedi, this animated miniseries concentrated its focus on the darker side of Star Wars storytelling, following Morgan Elsbeth (a character who was previously seen in The Bad Batch and in live-action form in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka) and former Jedi, Barriss Offee.
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The Acolyte (2024)
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd From the co-creator of Netflix’s Russian Doll, Leslye Headland, came a crime drama set in the High Republic era — some 100 years before the events of the Star Wars films. Boasting Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix), Dafne Keen (Logan) and Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim) in its cast, The Acolyte also had a Wookiee Jedi and a whip lightsaber for fans to get excited about. The series premeire with its first two episodes on Disney+ June 4, and THR TV critic Angie Han called it the spinoff that shakes up the formula in an intriguing way. But about two months later, Disney announced that the series would not be returning for a second season.
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Skeleton Crew (2024)
Image Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney Brit actor Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes, Fantastic Beasts) fronts this coming-of-age adventure following four lost children trying to get home. This Goonies-esque series comes from writers Christopher Ford (Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Jon Watts (who also directed the three Spider-Man MCU movies). The show also stars Academy Award nominee Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin). A release date is not yet set, but it’s expected to land on Disney+ later this year (after initially being penned in for a 2023 launch).
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