By Jocelyn Buhlman
It’s that time of year again—shop windows overflowing with action figures, people everywhere cozying up in their Star Wars spirit jerseys, the charming sounds of lightsabers buzzing and orchestral fanfares blasting… If you’re a fan of the Star Wars saga, this is your moment to shine. We’re sure you’ve already started planning your rewatch parties to ring in the end of the Skywalker Saga, but just in case you’re new to the galaxy far, far away or just trying to make sure you cover it all, we’ve not only rounded up all the Star Wars things you can watch on Disney+, but used our attenuation with the Force to help reveal just why these are key things to watch during this wonderful season. Are you ready? Grab your friends, log into Disney+, and discover the wonders of the universe—the Star Wars universe, anyway.
Star Wars: Episodes IV, V, and VI
Ah, the age-old question: In what order do you watch the Star Wars films? Chronological order, release order, or you own special order? Regardless of when you watch the films, these three movies hold a special place in the hearts of Star Wars fans everywhere because, well, these were the movies that started it all. Follow the adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han as they battle against the Empire—and against the mysterious Darth Vader. Commonly referred to as the “Original Trilogy,” named for the fact that this was the very first Star Wars trilogy ever created, these three movies changed the world forever.
Star Wars Episodes I, II, and III
Commonly referred to by fans as the “Prequel Trilogy,” these movies kick off the Skywalker saga by chronicling Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into the dreaded Darth Vader. If you’ve watched the recent Star Wars movies and wondered, “Hey, what’s up with that Vader guy that Kylo Ren is so obsessed with?” these movies will answer your question. See how it all started—and then brace yourself to see how it will all end.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
The start of a new era of Star Wars—and a new trilogy, of course—Star Wars: The Force Awakens introduces us to the scavenger Rey, ex-Storm Trooper Finn, and hotshot Resistance Pilot Poe Dameron. Just like us, these characters grew up hearing the stories of Luke, Leia, Han, and more—and now they discover that those stories are true, all of it. With the emergence of the evil First Order and their deadly new Starkiller Base, it’s up to our heroes to save the day—and start a new story. The Force Awakens starts the fan-named “Sequel Trilogy,” to which The Rise of Skywalker ends.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Solo: A Star Wars Story
Now that you’re all caught up on the Skywalker Saga, you may ask yourself, “So, how did they get those Death Star plans, anyway?” or even, “What is that Han Solo guy’s deal?” Good news! These two Star Wars story films can answer those questions. Rogue One, set before the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, provides us with the thrilling tale of the Rebels responsible for stealing the Death Star plans that exposed the space station’s weakness. Solo tackles the backstory of our favorite scoundrel—plus, we see how he met some other fan-favorite faces. While neither of these stories are technically part of the “Skywalker Saga,” they provide important depth to the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Set in between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, this beloved film and animated series finally shows us what happens during the oft-mythologized Clone Wars. Anakin, his apprentice Ahoska Tano, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé, and more face new challenges as war tears apart the galaxy.
Star Wars Rebels
Set before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope (Are you still keeping track of the timeline? May we recommend drawing a chart?), Star Wars Rebels chronicles the adventures of a ragtag team of heroes who join the battle against the Galactic Empire. If you’re a fan of the original three Star Wars movies, this series is sure to be your new favorite.
Star Wars Resistance
Kazuda “Kaz” Xiono’s life changes forever when the hotshot pilot is recruited by Poe Dameron himself to join the Resistance. Is Kaz in over his head pretending to be a mechanic while investigating the First Order? Set prior to the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, (quick, add that to your chart!) this series helps set the scene for the final three Skywalker Saga films.
The Mandalorian
Are we all not at least a little bit obsessed with Mandalorians? Ever since Boba Fett carbon-froze our hearts in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, we’ve been besotted with the mysterious armor-clad warriors, and this Disney+ original series only fans those flames. With new episodes dropping every Friday through December, The Mandalorian follows the adventures of a single, mysterious bounty hunter sometimes known as “Mando,” after the fall of the Empire. While we don’t yet know how this series connects to the wider Star Wars story, we do know that we’re tuning in every Friday to see what happens next.
Star Wars: Forces of Destiny
This animated series showcases short adventures of beloved Star Wars heroines such as Rey, Padmé, and Ahsoka Tano as they shape the destiny of the galaxy. While you wait to find out what happens next to your favorite Star Wars characters, enjoy this series’ look at what happens in between the films and series—plus, enjoy some fun team-ups like Sabine Wren and Jyn Erso or Princess Leia and Hera Syndulla.
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy
Go behind-the-scenes of the production of the original Star Wars trilogy, discovering all the trials and successes that went into creating the cinema-changing series. If you love Star Wars stories, this documentary will delight you with the equally epic story behind the films’ creation.
Bonus Round: LEGO!
So, you’ve watched every movie, binged all the cartoon series, and become a fan-dalorian of the Mandalorian? There’s still one piece of the puzzle left (or should we say, “brick of the LEGO build”?). Disney+ has a variety of fun LEGO Star Wars series and shorts to keep a grin on your face as you enjoy the world of Star Wars built a whole new way.
