Star Wars: Where all the new shows fit in the fictional timeline
In the spirit of May the Fourth, we break down the upcoming Star Wars shows and films.
Full force
Saturday, May 4 is the commemorative Intergalactic Star Wars Day so we look at the franchise’s fictional timeline and what’s new.
Go behind the scenes
The Academy Museum in Los Angeles will be featuring an installation from May 4-July 8 called the Star Wars Dykstraflex. It is the computerizeFind out what new shows and films are coming and where do they fit in the Star Wars universe timeline.d motion control system that was an instrumental and groundbreaking technology behind the original Star Wars trilogy. The innovative system revolutionized special effects . The Dykstraflex’s precise control over miniature models shaped the movies’ iconic space battles and changed the landscape of filmmaking.
The installation is organized by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in collaboration with the Science and Technology Council, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Museum hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Tuesdays.
Tickets to the Academy Museum are available only through advance online reservations via the Academy Museum’s website and mobile app.
The feature films 1-3 take place in the era called the Fall of the Jedi.
The next era is called the Reign of the Empire. Several one-off films and live-action series have been made in the time frame before the fourth film “Star Wars” (released in 1977) takes place in the fictional timeline.
The next era is known as The New Republic and picks up 30 years after episode VI. This era follows the adventures of Rey fighting against Kylo Ren. During this time frame many live-action series were made by Disney for its streaming service.
What’s coming
Title, type of entertainment, estimated release, era
“Star Wars: Tales of the Empire” animated TV series (Today) Fall of the Jedi
“Star Wars: The Acolyte TV Series” (June 4, 2024), before episode 1
“Star Wars Skeleton Crew TV Series” (2024), Mandalorian era
“Star Wars: Andor Season 2” (2025)
“Star Wars: Ahsoka Season 2” (2025)
“The Mandalorian & Grogu” (May 2026) film
Top-grossing
“Star Wars: Episode IV-A New Hope” is the second-highest lifetime adjusted for inflation gross after “Gone with the Wind.”
“Gone with the Wind,” 1939, $1.85 billion
“Star Wars,” 1977, $1.65 billion
“The Sound of Music,” 1965, $1.3 billion
Of the top 20 highest-grossing (adjusted for inflation) films, the Star Wars franchise has five spots, episodes VII, V, VI and I.
In 2012, The Walt Disney Co. paid $4.05 billion for Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise. A 2024 article in the Hollywood Reporter noted that Disney said it has made 3.3 times its investment since the purchase.
“Revenge of the Sith” was the last film in the franchise that creator George Lucas wrote a script for.
Asked about the film he said, “The Jedi are trained to let go. They’re trained from birth. They’re not supposed to form attachments. They can love people — in fact, they should love everybody.”
Best and worst characters
Ranker.com had more than 42,000 voters on a poll of the characters in Star Wars. Here’s some of the list:
- Darth Vader: Could be the most iconic villain in cinematic history, Darth Vader’s menacing appearance and deep, resonant voice are instantly recognizable.
- Obi-Wan Kenobi: A wise and skilled Jedi Master.
- Yoda: With his diminutive stature, green skin, and peculiar speech pattern, Yoda is one-of-a-kind within the galaxy. Voiced by puppeteer Frank Oz.
- Luke Skywalker: The central character of the original trilogy.
- Han Solo: Initially motivated by money but eventually becomes a key figure in defeating the Empire alongside his friends.
- R2-D2: Has appeared in 10 of 11 theatrical Star Wars films to date.
- Chewbacca: Best known as Han Solo’s trusted co-pilot aboard the Millennium Falcon.
- The Mandalorian: A bounty hunter who unexpectedly becomes a surrogate father to Grogu in the Disney+ series.
- Leia Organa: Twin sister of Luke Skywalker, a leader of the Rebel Alliance and later General in the Resistance.
- Ahsoka Tano: Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan during the Clone Wars.
You can see the full list of hundreds of characters here.
Most successful film franchises
According to Box Office Mojo, Star Wars is the second-most successful film franchise in the U.S. and Canada:
- Marvel Universe 37 releases $11 billion
- Star Wars 23 releases $5 billion
- Disney Live Action 17 releases $3.4 billion
Sources: Hollywood Reporter, Academymuseum.org, Box Office Mojo, StarWars.com, Industrial Light and Magic, Ranker.com, Lucasfilm, The Walt Disney Co.
Movie posters from 20th Century Fox and Disney+