The core Star Wars collection, comprising both theatrical releases and animated films released in theaters, currently stands at 12 movies. This includes the nine-film Skywalker Saga, two standalone stories, and one animated feature released in theaters.
The Skywalker Saga: The Heart of the Galaxy
The Skywalker Saga forms the backbone of the Star Wars cinematic universe, narrating the intertwined destinies of the Skywalker family across generations. Each film plays a crucial role in the overarching narrative, offering thrilling adventures, profound moral dilemmas, and iconic characters that have captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide.
The Original Trilogy: A New Hope Dawns
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977): The film that started it all, introducing Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980): A darker chapter, featuring the iconic “I am your father” reveal.
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983): The epic conclusion of the original trilogy, bringing balance to the Force.
The Prequel Trilogy: A Fall from Grace
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999): Exploring the origins of Darth Vader and the fall of the Republic.
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002): Charting the escalating Clone Wars and Anakin Skywalker’s growing power.
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005): A tragic descent into darkness, witnessing the birth of Darth Vader.
The Sequel Trilogy: A New Generation Rises
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015): Introducing Rey and Finn, new heroes in a galaxy facing a resurrected threat.
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017): Challenging established lore and paving the way for a new era of Jedi.
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019): Concluding the Skywalker Saga and resolving lingering storylines.
Standalone Stories: Expanding the Universe
Beyond the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars has expanded its universe with standalone films that delve into specific events and characters, enriching the overall mythology. These stories offer unique perspectives and explore different facets of the galaxy far, far away.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
This gritty war film tells the story of the rebels who stole the plans to the Death Star, setting the stage for A New Hope. It’s a fan-favorite praised for its realism and compelling characters.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
An origin story for Han Solo, showcasing his early adventures and how he met Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian. It provides valuable context to the beloved smuggler’s character.
Animated Feature Film: Bringing the Clone Wars to Theaters
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Serving as a bridge between Episode II and Episode III, this animated film launched the popular Clone Wars animated series, further exploring the conflict and introducing Ahsoka Tano. It’s considered canon and an important part of the overall narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the scope of the Star Wars cinematic collection:
FAQ 1: What about the Ewok films? Are Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewok: The Battle for Endor considered canon?
No, the Ewok films, while existing within the Star Wars universe, are not considered part of the main canon and are therefore not included in the official count of Star Wars movies. They are considered television films and are typically viewed as separate entities.
FAQ 2: Are the Clone Wars and Rebels animated series canon?
Yes, both the Clone Wars and Rebels animated series are considered canon. They enrich the lore and provide crucial context for characters and events depicted in the films. However, they are television series, not theatrical films, and are therefore not included in the count of Star Wars movies.
FAQ 3: Does the count include The Mandalorian?
No, The Mandalorian is a television series streamed on Disney+, not a theatrical film. It is a significant and beloved part of the Star Wars universe, but it does not fall under the definition of a Star Wars movie for the purpose of this article.
FAQ 4: What constitutes a “Star Wars Movie” for this count?
For the purpose of this article, a “Star Wars Movie” refers to a theatrical release or a direct-to-theater animated feature film directly related to the core Star Wars storyline and sanctioned by Lucasfilm.
FAQ 5: Will there be more Star Wars movies in the future?
Yes, Lucasfilm has announced several future Star Wars projects, including new films set in different eras of the galaxy. These projects are constantly evolving, but the intention is to continue expanding the Star Wars cinematic universe.
FAQ 6: Where can I watch all the Star Wars movies?
All Star Wars movies are available to stream on Disney+. You may also find physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) available for purchase at various retailers.
FAQ 7: In what order should I watch the Star Wars movies?
There are several viewing orders. The most common are release order (Episodes IV, V, VI, I, II, III, VII, VIII, IX, Rogue One, Solo, Clone Wars) and chronological order (Episodes I, II, Clone Wars, III, Solo, Rogue One, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX). There’s also the “Machete Order” (IV, V, II, III, VI) which cuts out Episode I and places the prequels between the original trilogy films. Release order is generally recommended for first-time viewers to experience the story as it unfolded for audiences.
FAQ 8: What is the “Star Wars Canon”?
The “Star Wars Canon” refers to the official and consistent storyline established by Lucasfilm. This includes the theatrical films, certain animated series, books, comics, and video games that are considered part of the official Star Wars narrative.
FAQ 9: Why are some Star Wars stories considered “Legends”?
Stories designated as “Legends” were part of the Star Wars Expanded Universe (EU) before Disney acquired Lucasfilm. While these stories were popular, they are no longer considered part of the official canon.
FAQ 10: Is The Star Wars Holiday Special considered canon?
No, The Star Wars Holiday Special is not considered canon. It is a notoriously bad television special that aired in 1978 and is generally disowned by Lucasfilm.
FAQ 11: Are there any direct-to-video Star Wars movies?
Outside of the Ewok Adventures, there are no other Star Wars movies that were originally made for direct-to-video release. All of the current twelve Star Wars movies were released either in theaters (or in the case of the Clone Wars, both theaters and home video simultaneously)
FAQ 12: How often does the Star Wars movie count change?
The number of Star Wars movies in the collection changes only when new theatrical films are released. Lucasfilm is actively developing new projects, so the count is expected to increase in the future. The addition of an animated film to the theater would also update the count, although this has not been done since 2008.