how many star wars movies are there

February 22, 2026

How Many Star Wars Movies Are There? The Complete Guide to the Franchise’s Filmlineup

The Star Wars saga is one of the most iconic and expansive cinematic universes ever created. Fans worldwide wonder: how many Star Wars movies have been released? If you're planning to dive into the galaxy far, far away or simply curious about the franchise’s growing film selection, this comprehensive guide breaks down every Star Wars movie, including theatrical releases, animated features, and special content.

Official Theatrical Movies: The Skywalker Saga and Beyond

The core theatrical lineup is officially divided into two primary sagas, with multiple installments expanding the story and characters:

1. The Skywalker Saga (Episodes IV–IX)

This is the main chronological storyline, beginning with A New Hope and concluding with The Rise of Skywalker. It includes the following films:

Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) – The original classic that launched the franchise
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Widely considered the greatest film ever made
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) – The final battle of the original trilogy
Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) – Rebooted saga with new heroes and Kylo Ren
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) – A bold continuation with Leia, Finn, and ban demons
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) – Tie-up and resolution for both original and sequel characters

Total Skywalker Saga Feature Films: 6

2. The Prequel Trilogy (Episodes I–III)

These films set up the downfall of the Jedi Order and introduce key characters like Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Total Prequel Feature Films: 3

3. The Sequel Trilogy (Episodes VII–IX, albeit a reboot chronologically)

Though officially a sequel series, these were produced after the Skywalker Saga and are often grouped with it for fan convenience:

Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Their placement as trilogy-ending films contrasts chronologically, but narratively and commercially are tied to the Skywalker Saga. Solely as part of the canon saga, these count as 3 feature films.

Total Counting All Official Theatrical Films (Skywalker Saga + Prequels + Sequel Trilogy):

6 (Skywalker) + 3 (Prequels) + 3 (Sequels) = 12 Feature Movies

Beyond Theatrical Releases: Expanded Universe & TV Specials

While theatrical films dominate popular interest, Star Wars has expanded far beyond the big screen into a rich multimedia empire. These include:

TV Series (Used for deeper character development and side stories):
- The Clone Wars (2008–2020) — Acclaimed prequel series
- The Mandalorian (2019–present) — Modern space western
- The Book of Boba Fett (2021–2022)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
- Ahsoka (2023)
- Andor (2022) — A gritty origin story of Cassian Andor

Note: TV series are generally not counted as theatrical feature films.

Animated Films & Shorts: Over 20 animated Star Wars projects including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (limited series), Star Wars Rebels, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and countless shorts.
Short Films & Incremental Content: Rolled out on Disney+ and across media platforms to extend the lore.

Conclusion: How Many Star Wars Movies Are There?

Carefully defining a “movie” as a theatrical feature film, the current Star Wars canon features 12 official theatrical releases:

6 from the Skywalker Saga (Episode IV–IX)
3 from the Prequel Trilogy (Episodes I–III)
3 from the Sequel Trilogy (Episodes VII–IX)

This number reflects a strong, structured film legacy built over decades, with each installment adding depth to one of cinema’s most beloved universes. Whether watching the original trilogy’s iconic journey, exploring the rich prequels, or venturing into legendary sequels and expanded universe TV, Star Wars remains a cinematic juggernaut with 12 definitive theatrical movies as of 2024.

Ready to Watch All 12?

Plan your Star Wars viewing binge today—starting with A New Hope and continuing through The Rise of Skywalker and beyond. The galaxy waits for you, from Tatooine to the Final Empire.

Keywords: #StarWarsMovies #StarWarsFilmlineup #SkywalkerSaga #StarWarsPremieres #StarWarsDocumentary #StarWarsTheatricalMovies #StarWarsTrivia Meta Description: Discover the complete count of Star Wars theatrical movies, including The Skywalker Saga, Prequels, and Sequel Trilogy films, plus expanded universe releases—essential info for fans and new viewers alike.