Star Wars spans roughly 500 years of galactic history. Each major era has its own heroes,
villains and problems. This overview shows which films and shows belong to which window —
and why each era has its own mood.
High Republic
c. 500 – 100 BBY The golden age of the Jedi.
For centuries the Jedi Order keeps the peace. Generous starflight, courage, "we are all the Republic". This is the ideal image of the Order — and a benchmark for what later gets lost.
What you can watch: - Novel line "The High Republic"
- Disney+ series "The Acolyte" (132 BBY)
Why this era matters: Important because it shows the Jedi Order at its peak — making the prequel decline far more legible.
Fall of the Jedi
32 BBY – 19 BBY Sidious manipulates, the Republic collapses.
Naboo crisis, the clone army, three years of Clone Wars. Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One, falls to the dark side. Order 66 ends the Republic — and begins the Empire.
What you can watch: - Episode I – The Phantom Menace
- Episode II – Attack of the Clones
- The Clone Wars (film + series)
- Tales of the Jedi
- Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Why this era matters: The saga's central tragic arc. Darth Vader, the Empire and the future Rebellion are all born here.
Reign of the Empire
19 BBY – 5 BBY The galaxy lives under the iron fist.
Inquisitors hunt the surviving Jedi. Economic exploitation begins in earnest. The first local resistance cells grow quietly in the shadows — not yet coordinated, not yet "the Rebellion".
What you can watch: - Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (series)
- The Bad Batch
- Star Wars Rebels
Why this era matters: This era shows how tyranny becomes everyday — and how isolated individuals eventually become a rebellion.
Age of Rebellion
5 BBY – 4 ABY The Rebel Alliance forms — and wins.
Mon Mothma, Bail Organa and Leia build coordinated resistance. Andor draws the prelude. Rogue One steals the Death Star plans. Yavin, Hoth and Endor decide the war.
What you can watch: - Andor
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Episode IV – A New Hope
- Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Why this era matters: The core of what Star Wars means to most fans: a small rebellion against an immense tyranny — and it wins.
New Republic
4 ABY – 28 ABY Peace — but too fragile.
The New Republic rebuilds, demilitarises too quickly, and underestimates what remains in the Outer Rim. Bounty hunters and Mandalorians dominate the periphery. Luke builds a new Jedi academy — and tragically fails.
What you can watch: - The Mandalorian
- The Book of Boba Fett
- Ahsoka
- Skeleton Crew
Why this era matters: The "Mando era" is the most popular new Star Wars window. All major live-action shows live here.
Rise of the First Order
28 ABY – 35 ABY The Empire returns — this time from the Unknown Regions.
In the Unknown Regions Snoke secretly builds the First Order. Starkiller Base destroys the Hosnian worlds. Rey, Finn, Poe and Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) fight the last Skywalker-era conflict.
What you can watch: - Episode VII – The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
- Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
- Resistance (series)
Why this era matters: The final saga trilogy. It closes the Skywalker family arc and opens the door for post-Episode-IX stories.