Long ago in a galaxy far far away… George Lucas gave birth to Star Wars, the saga that changed science fiction cinema forever. It was 1977 when the first film in the series was released, entitled A New Hope. This was immediately followed by two more, The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and Return of the Jedi in 1983.
Sixteen years later, the new trilogy was released, consisting of the prequels The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005). The new releases forced to renumber the episodes: in order to understand them it is necessary to look at them in chronological order and not according to the release in theaters. Later, Lucasfilm, now acquired by Disney, decided to release three more new chapters: The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017) and finally The Rise of Skywalker (2019). They are all available on Disney +, except the last one. Here is in what order to watch them and a summary of the plots.
The Phantom Menace (1999) – Star Wars: Episode I
To follow the chronological order of events that happen in Star Wars you need to start with Episode I titled The Phantom Menace released in theaters in 1999.
The film tells the story of the Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi who rescue Queen Amidala. During their journey, they meet Anakin, a child who is given an enormous Force that follows the two knights to be trained and become a Jedi. Once back on Naboo, Anakin and Amidala face the invasion of the Sith troops.
The Attack of the Clones (2002) – Star Wars: Episode II
The second Star Wars episode is The Attack of the Drones, released in theaters in 2002. In this movie we are in the middle of a civil war where Anakin Skywalker is ordered to protect Queen Amidala. The two fall in love and meanwhile Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers the existence of a clone army. Thus begins the clone war that rocks the galaxy.
About this film, there is other content available on Disney + that can be integrated. The first one is the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars released in 2007 and set right during the clone war. In the storyline, Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka are engaged to free the son of Jabba the Hutt. Temporally, the plot unfolds between the second and third Star Wars episodes, namely between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
The second content that is temporally placed during the Clone War is Star Wars: The Clone Wars, an animated series consisting of seven seasons. It chronicles the conflicts between the Galactic Republic and the Separatists that develop during the Clone War.
The Revenge of the Sith (2005) – Star Wars: Episode III
The third episode, namely The Revenge of the Sith was released in theaters in 2005. It is the last episode of the prequel trilogy of Star Wars, as well as the last film directed by George Lucas before the acquisition by Disney.
The plot tells the events of the Clone War, where the army of the Galactic Republic, led by the Jedi fights against the droids of the Separatist Confederation. While Obi-Wan Kenobi is tasked with killing General Grievous, to end the war, on the other side Anakin Skywalker forges a special relationship with Emperor Palpatine, the Sith that will lead him to turn to the dark side becoming Darth Vader and leading to the birth of the Galactic Empire, an event that will change the fate of the galaxy.
On Disney + is available the film Solo: a Star Wars Story released in 2018. It is a spin off dedicated to the character of Han Solo: from the adventures during his youth, to the friendship with Chewbacca, until the meeting with the other characters of the saga.
Rogue One: Star Wars Story (2016)
What happens when the world of Star Wars becomes part of Disney? Of course new movies come out that allow the storyline to develop further. The first is Rogue One: Star Wars Story available in 2016 and directed by Gareth Edwards. It is part of the Star Wars Anthology series, i.e. spin-offs focused on specific characters, just like what happens in the Marvel films, also available on Disney +.
The film is about a group of rebel spies who are tasked with stealing the evil plans to the Death Star, the weapon created by the Empire. It is set before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and allows a group of ordinary people to join a cause to perform extraordinary deeds. It also manages to tell the galactic war from a new point of view, offering new insights and reflections.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Now we come to the original trilogy, the one that, as we described in the introduction, was conceived and released first by George Lucas. The film A New Hope dates back to 1977 and is the first to be released in theaters. However, it is in fact the fourth Star Wars episode in chronological order.
The plot tells the story of Luke Skywalker who intercepts a secret message from Princess Leia asking Obi-Wan Kenobi for help. Thus begins the Jedi training of Luke, who together with his master has the task of freeing Leia from Darth Vader.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
In 1980 came out the second episode, in fact the fifth in chronological order. In this film, the Rebel Alliance is harassed by Imperial troops on the planet Hoth. Meanwhile, Luke begins training with Yoda on the planet Dagobah where they have taken refuge. Meanwhile, Darth Vader tries to bring Luke to the dark side, but he refuses. At this point, Darth Vader confesses to him that he is his father.
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
In 1983, the third film was released, which is the sixth in chronological order. In this episode, the Empire, thanks to the construction of a new and very strong Death Star tries in every way to defeat the Rebel Alliance. The rebels try in every way to prevent the construction of the new machine and win the war. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker tries to make his father Darth Vader convert again by bringing him to the Light Side of the Force.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
We now come to three new episodes, released from 2015 onwards. They are sequels to the original ones. In fact, they are set 30 years after the end of Return of the Jedi.
The seventh film (according to the chronological order of events) is titled The Force Awakens and tells what happens in this period: from the ashes of the Galactic Empire, the First Order is born, led by Kylo Ren. This clashes with the New Republic and the Rebel Alliance. While Luke Skywalker is nowhere to be found, the legacy of the Rebels is in the hands of Rey and Finn, who together with Han Solo and Chewbacca strive to defeat Kylo Ren and restore peace to the galaxy.
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
Let’s talk now about the eighth episode of Star Wars, released in theaters in 2017. The Last Jedi tells the story of the new recruits of the Rebels against the New Order. Rey discovers that she is linked to Kylo Ren and the two communicate telepathically. He tries to get her to turn to the Dark Side, telling her how Luke tried to kill him as a child. She, however, wants to bring him to the other side and to convince him, she turns herself over to him.
He brings her before his Supreme Leader Snoke who tries to get her to reveal where Luke is hiding, but she is adamant. At this point, Snoke orders Kylo Ren to kill Rey but he surprisingly kills Snoke and proclaims himself the New Supreme Leader while Rey escapes. In the end, Luke Skywalker pretends to be on a planet so his friends can take safe refuge from Kylo’s clutches. Luke in this episode dies and reaches the Jedi Paradise.
The latest movie Star Wars: Episode IX – Rise of Skywalker is released in theaters in 2019 but it is not yet known when Disney + will make it available. It tells the events that take place about a year after the last film. While Rey is completing her training as a Jedi thanks to the guidance of Leia Organa, Kylo Ren does everything he can to seize more power and take over the galaxy. The end is a real surprise that we do not reveal to allow everyone to enjoy the film when it arrives on Disney +… without spoilers.
The Mandalorian – the TV series inspired by Star Wars
In addition to the films that characterize the Star Wars saga, Disney + on March 24 also launched in Italy the original TV series The Mandalorian. The events take place five years after Return of the Jedi and twenty-five years before The Force Awakens, so before the founding of the New Order.
It tells the story of a lone gunman in the galaxy, far from the eyes of the New Republic. It is an excellent content to enrich the imagination of Star Wars, and therefore dedicated to all fans of the saga.