A complete guide to Star Wars timeline, explained

George Lucas created the well-known space franchise Star Wars, and this majorly began with the 1977 film A New Hope.

It is set in a distant galaxy with robots, aliens, and people, and the Sith, who employ evil abilities, and the Jedi, who fight for peace, are the subjects of the tale, and the unique franchise consists of games, books, TV series, and films. It is renowned for its distinct universe, fights, and captivating characters.

It spans multiple generations, bringing together epic battles, intricate storylines, and complex characters, and to fully appreciate the richness of the series, understanding its timeline is essential.

---

More about the Star Wars timeline

Below is a clear guide to the Star Wars movie timeline:

The Structure of the Timeline

The Star Wars timeline is centered on the Battle of Yavin (0 BBY/ABY), and this takes place in Episode IV: A New Hope, and all the unique events preceding this battle are indicated as BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin).

The events succeeding it are denoted as ABY (After the Battle of Yavin), and this particular structure helps in navigating the great expanse of time. Not only this, but it also gives a logical order for the events that unfold.

---

The Prequel Trilogy (32 BBY – 19 BBY)

In Episode I: The Phantom Menace (32 BBY), a new generation is introduced with the discovery of Anakin Skywalker, and the unique galaxy takes a tragic turn when Anakin's enormous Force potential is revealed.

The galaxy is on the verge of war in Episode II: Attack of the Clones (22 BBY), Anakin and Padmé Amidala's relationship deepens, and the Sith's shadow remains a constant threat and as per the plot, Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader and the establishment of the Galactic Empire culminate in one of the most significant events in the Star Wars universe.

---

The Original Trilogy (0 BBY – 4 ABY)

Following the fall of the Republic, the Original Trilogy begins with Episode IV: A New Hope (0 BBY), and in this particularly, Luke Skywalker discovers his destiny as the hero capable of defeating the oppressive Empire.

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (3 ABY) depicts the Empire retaliating against the Rebel Alliance, but the revelation of Vader's true identity shocks the galaxy, and the trilogy concludes with Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (4 ABY). In this, Anakin's redemption and the Emperor's fall restore balance to the Force.

---

The Sequel Trilogy (34 ABY – 35 ABY)

Episode VII: The Force Awakens (34 ABY) marks the start of the Sequel Trilogy and Thai majorly takes place decades after the events of the original movies, and a mysterious scavenger named Rey emerges. This is introduced as the galaxy's new hope and battles Kylo Ren's newly established First Order as per the unique storyline.

Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (34 ABY) delves into Rey's identity issues and her relationship with the Force, and then Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (35 ABY) is where Rey must face her ultimate fate. As per the show, the galaxy's fate is determined by the final conflict with Emperor Palpatine.

---

Standalone Films and Series

Aside from the core trilogies, numerous standalone films and series add depth to the overall storyline, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (0 BBY) fills the gap between the prequels and the original trilogy.

This particularly provides crucial context for the Rebel Alliance's fight. This is against the Empire. Solo: A Star Wars Story (10 BBY) provides an origin story for Han Solo. The Clone Wars (22 BBY - 19 BBY) and Star Wars Rebels (5 BBY - 1 BBY) are animated series. These explore the key events and characters, further enriching the saga.

---

Stay tuned to Soap Central for regular updates on daily soaps, TV shows, and movies.