You can skip 5 of the 20 titles in the Star Wars franchise and still follow the main story: Solo: A Star Wars Story, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, The Book of Boba Fett, and Skeleton Crew. The essentials (15 titles) take about 82 hours instead of 148 hours.
- Skippable
- 5
- Essentials
- 15
- Time saved
- 66 hours
Safe to skip
- Solo: A Star Wars Story2018 · Film · 2h 15m · optionalHan Solo's origin; optional.
- Obi-Wan Kenobi2022 · Series · 4h 40m · optionalObi-Wan and Vader meet again between the trilogies; optional.
- Andor2022 · Series · 20h 12m · optionalHow the Rebellion was built; leads directly into Rogue One.
- The Book of Boba Fett2021 · Series · 5h 47m · optionalBoba Fett's series; chapters 5 and 6 are really episodes of The Mandalorian.
- Skeleton Crew2024 · Series · 33h 13m · optionalA self-contained kids' adventure; optional.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 2018 · Film · 2h 15m · optional
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian.
Why it matters: Han Solo's origin; optional.
- Starring
- Alden Ehrenreich, Joonas Suotamo, and Woody Harrelson
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Box office
- $393 million on a $250 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 69%
No. 02 · 2021 · Series · 5h 47m · optional
The Book of Boba Fett
Legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand must navigate the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.
Why it matters: Boba Fett's series; chapters 5 and 6 are really episodes of The Mandalorian.
- Starring
- Temuera Morrison, Ming-Na Wen, and Frank Trigg
- Creator
- Jon Favreau
- Scores
- IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 66%
- Episodes
- 7
No. 03 · 2022 · Series · 4h 40m · optional
Obi-Wan Kenobi
During the reign of the Galactic Empire, former Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, embarks on a crucial mission to confront allies turned enemies and face the wrath of the Empire.
Why it matters: Obi-Wan and Vader meet again between the trilogies; optional.
- Starring
- Ewan McGregor, Vivien Lyra Blair, and Moses Ingram
- Scores
- IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%
- Episodes
- 6
No. 04 · 2022 · Series · 20h 12m · optional
Andor
In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian Andor will discover the difference he can make in the struggle against the tyrannical Galactic Empire. He embarks on a path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
Why it matters: How the Rebellion was built; leads directly into Rogue One.
- Starring
- Diego Luna, Anton Lesser, and Muhannad Bhaier
- Creator
- Tony Gilroy
- Scores
- IMDb 8.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 96%
- Episodes
- 24 across 2 seasons
No. 05 · 2024 · Series · 33h 13m · optional
Skeleton Crew
This is the story of Hunter and Anthony, a bear couple, and the tumultuous turns their lives take one Halloween. Alongside their friends and family, they face all the extremes life has to offer with a smile, a sigh, and a sugary sweet.
Why it matters: A self-contained kids' adventure; optional.
- Starring
- Joshua R. Pangborn, Johnathan Cerio, and Ashley Monique Menard
- Creator
- Stuart Kiczek and Joshua R. Pangborn
- Scores
- IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%
- Episodes
- 63 across 5 seasons
The essentials, in release order
- Star Wars: A New Hope1977 · Film · 2h 1mEpisode IV, the 1977 original and the best place to start.
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back1980 · Film · 2h 4mEpisode V and the saga's biggest twist.
- Star Wars: Return of the Jedi1983 · Film · 2h 12mEpisode VI ends the original trilogy.
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace1999 · Film · 2h 16mEpisode I: young Anakin Skywalker is found; the earliest film in the saga.
- Star Wars: Attack of the Clones2002 · Film · 2h 22mEpisode II: the Clone Wars begin and Anakin falls for Padmé.
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith2005 · Film · 2h 20mEpisode III: Anakin becomes Darth Vader.
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars2008 · Film · 1h 38mFills the gap between Episodes II and III and introduces Ahsoka Tano; essential for later shows.
- Star Wars Rebels2014 · Series · 28h 16mThe animated rebellion series; essential for Ahsoka.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens2015 · Film · 2h 16mEpisode VII begins the sequel trilogy, 30 years after Return of the Jedi.
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story2016 · Film · 2h 13mThe mission to steal the Death Star plans; ends minutes before A New Hope.
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi2017 · Film · 2h 32mEpisode VIII: Rey trains with Luke.
- The Mandalorian2019 · Series · 17h 21mDin Djarin and Grogu after the Empire's fall; the hub of the live-action shows.
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker2019 · Film · 2h 22mEpisode IX concludes the Skywalker saga.
- Ahsoka2023 · Series · 10h 15mContinues Star Wars Rebels in live action.
- The Mandalorian & Grogu2026 · Film · 2h 12mDin Djarin and Grogu on the big screen, following the series.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Star Wars title?
No. You can skip 5 of the 20 titles in the Star Wars franchise and still follow the main story: Solo: A Star Wars Story, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, The Book of Boba Fett, and Skeleton Crew. The essentials (15 titles) take about 82 hours instead of 148 hours.
How long are the Star Wars essentials?
About 82 hours for 15 titles, in release order starting with Star Wars: A New Hope.
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