Star Wars inspires a love that can border on obsession. There are plenty of fans for whom the movies aren’t nearly enough, and the people behind one of the all-time great science fantasy sagas have always been more than happy to oblige. Aside from toys, clothes, and the obscenely large Death Star cookie jar that takes up half of my kitchen, there are books, graphic novels, video games…you name it. From a certain point of view, it might all seem like too much. Or not nearly enough.
We’re here to help: Here’s a hands-on guide to the most important stories in the current Star Wars canon, from the pre-prequel era to just before the start of the Rise of Skywalker. most of them stand on their own, but many serve to develop an expansive universe. they are presented here in in-universe chronological order, but you certainly don’t need to read all the books from the beginning of the timeline. your favorite era is probably represented in some way. Also: There are plenty of worthwhile video games, short stories, middle grade books, comics, and more not covered here. the goal is to reach the high points; otherwise we’d be here all day.
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(oh, and beware of light spoilers. they’re not intended, but largely unavoidable. may the force be with you).
We can also call this the Prequel Era. Also the Age of Republic. Since there’s no consistent dating system in the Star Wars universe, fans have traditionally focused on the Battle of Yavin in 1977’s A New Hope that saw the destruction of the first Death Star. Episode I: The Phantom Menace takes place about 32 Before the Battle of Yavin, (32 BBY), with Revenge of the Sith taking place 19 years Before the Battle of Yavin (BBY).
The animated series fills in the gaps between the last two prequels and also introduces Anakin’s own Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, who will play a major role in future spin-off media. but first, he has a strong clone wars arc that comes to a bittersweet but noble conclusion, and is generally a cool addition to the sw universe.
With that, we enter a territory that was, for a long time, unknown on the big screen. yoda is in exile on dagobah, and obi-wan is taking care of baby luke on tatooine. Leis is growing up with the Organs on Alderaan, and Palpatine is building an empire with his latest and gruffest apprentice, Darth Vader, by her side. The years that follow are some of the darkest in the Star Wars saga, but they are not entirely free of chronicles.
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Almost 20 years elapse between the first two trilogies: enough time for Luke to grow up, bullseye womp rats in his T-16, and drink endless glasses of blue milk. Meanwhile, twin sister Leia embarks on a promising political career while secretly ferrying stolen data on behalf of the Rebel Alliance. (In fairness to Luke, he got dropped off with some grumpy farmers on a nowhere planet, while his sister grew up a princess. I’d be way resentful.)
For much of this time, the republic still exists, but in name only. Emperor Palpatine is consolidating his power across the galaxy, while a rebellion grows outside the core worlds.
obi-wan kenobi’s tv series, finally coming to disney+, will probably take place somewhere in here.
these few years before a new hope is also the period of the animated series rebels that tells the rise of the rebellion through the story of the pilot hera syndulla and her resistance cell. That’s also where Darth Maul’s long story reaches its climax, as does Thrawn’s (maybe). Unique stories scattered throughout Marvel’s ongoing comic series shed some light on what old Ben Kenobi was up to in Tatooine during his years in exile, and you can complete this era with Keepers of the Whills. offering some history of baze malbus and chirrut. Îmwe, whom jyn erso will soon meet in jedha.
Also known as the Age of Rebellion. Time was, this period would’ve begun with the original 1977 film (year zero after the Battle of Yavin, or 0 ABY). But I think it’s fair to consider the latest movie (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) a direct prequel, and therefore the true start of the era during which the Alliance to Restore the Republic begins to make headway against the Empire. (At least until said Empire strikes back.) The opening crawl to the first movie describes Rebel spies managing to steal the secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon. That happens in Rogue One, just prior to A New Hope.
The first Darth Vader series finds the Sith Lord working to get back into good hands with the Emperor following his failure against Luke Skywalker for Yavin. he’s also playing a deeper game with his apprentice, doctor aphra, and two ruthless droids of his own. Doctor Aphra is a spin-off of the Vader series that follows the opportunistic archaeologist as she works for a living in the galactic artifacts market alongside her homicidal droids and the Wookiee bounty hunter Krrsantan Black. she also keeps out of sight of her former mentor. The miniseries Han just sees Han tasked with retrieving informants and spies under the guise of competing in the most infamous starship race in the galaxy, a race that Han really wants to win.
for reference, the classic era spans just four years, with the empire set in 3 BBY, and the events of return of the jedi very shortly thereafter. even given the short timeframe, we’ll likely still see new stories set during this era. This is the heart of the Star Wars saga, with Luke, Han, Leia and the gang taking on Darth Vader over a pair of giant Death Stars. the future looks pretty good from endor… what could possibly go wrong?
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Second Death Star destroyed; big yub-nub party on the forest moon of Endor; pick up the story 30+ years later. That might be OK for casual fans (both of them), but the books and graphic novels have gone a long way toward filling in the new canon version of events in-between—and, since then, what’s happened in the gaps between Episodes VII-IX.
The live-action Mandalorian television series takes place right here, roughly in the year 9 BBY.
Also around this time, Ken Liu’s Legends of Luke Skywalker involves a group of children in the world of Canto Bight Casino (a setting in The Last Jedi) telling tales of the now famous Jedi. by design, the stories are distorted in the narrative, but we learn that luke set out to expand the jedi order and, most intriguingly, met a group of force users who instructed him in the idea that good and evil are not separate but connected. .
marvel’s next miniseries the rise of kylo ren will probably take place here, roughly at 28 db.
the resistance animated series, in which poe is a recurring character, also takes place before and immediately after tfa.
that’s it! you are up to date with the current star wars canon. Now all you have to do is buy your tickets, go to the movies, and impress your friends with your level of Jedi training.
what’s your favorite star wars bond?
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