Star Wars Rebels
Series, 2014, Reign of the Empire, Set in 5 BBY–4 ABY
Star Wars Rebels is #8 of 20 in release order and #7 of 20 in chronological order in the Star Wars.
The story
Set between the events of Star Wars: Episodes III and IV, the story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost — cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the “muscle” Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and cantankerous old astromech droid Chopper — is among a select few who are brave enough to stand against the Empire. Together, they will face threatening new villains, encounter colorful adversaries, embark on thrilling adventures, and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.
Star Wars Rebels recap
In season 1, five years before A New Hope, the teenage street thief Ezra Bridger on Lothal joins the crew of the Ghost: the Jedi survivor Kanan Jarrus, the pilot Hera Syndulla, the Mandalorian Sabine Wren, Zeb Orrelios and the droid Chopper. Kanan trains Ezra in the Force while the crew fights the Inquisitor and Agent Kallus. Grand Moff Tarkin captures Kanan, and the crew rescues him, joining a wider rebellion whose secret contact Fulcrum is Ahsoka Tano. In season 2, Darth Vader hunts the rebel fleet. Ahsoka learns Vader is Anakin, and on Malachor she duels him while Maul blinds Kanan and tempts Ezra with a Sith holocron. In season 3, Grand Admiral Thrawn takes command against the rebels, Kallus becomes a rebel spy, Sabine takes up the Darksaber, and Maul dies at Obi-Wan's hands on Tatooine. Thrawn smashes the rebel base on Atollon. In season 4, Sabine helps free Mandalore and gives the Darksaber to Bo-Katan, and the crew fights to liberate Lothal. Kanan dies saving his friends, and Ezra finds a world between worlds where he pulls Ahsoka out of her duel with Vader.
Star Wars Rebels ending explained
Ezra calls in the purrgil, space creatures that wrap around Thrawn's flagship and carry it, with Ezra and Thrawn aboard, into hyperspace, freeing Lothal. The Imperial base on the planet is destroyed by its own fuel. Neither is seen again. An epilogue after the Battle of Endor shows Hera and Kanan's son Jacen, and Sabine and Ahsoka setting out together to find Ezra, which the live-action Ahsoka picks up.
Where to watch Star Wars Rebels
Star Wars Rebels is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Apple TV, Google Play, and Fandango At Home.
Ratings
IMDb 8.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 98%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Star Wars: The Clone Wars, before Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- Chronological order: after Obi-Wan Kenobi, before Andor.
What to watch before Star Wars Rebels
In release order, 7 Star Wars essentials come before Star Wars Rebels (2014), from Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) to Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008).
Cast
- Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan Jarrus (voice)
- Taylor Gray as Ezra Bridger (voice)
- Vanessa Marshall as Hera Syndulla (voice)
- Tiya Sircar as Sabine Wren (voice)
- Dave Filoni as C1-10P 'Chopper' (voice) (uncredited)
- Steve Blum as Garazeb 'Zeb' Orrelios (voice)
- David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus (voice)
- Dee Bradley Baker as Ephraim Bridger (voice)
- Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn (voice) (archive sound)
- Keone Young as Commander Jun Sato (voice)
- Stephen Stanton as Mart Mattin (voice)
- Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Governor Pryce / Rebel Pilot #1 (voice)
Created by Simon Kinberg, Dave Filoni, Carrie Beck.