Prequel Trilogy

Definition

The Prequel Trilogy is the three-film arc Episode I–III (1999–2005), directed by George Lucas himself:

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

Conflict

The Republic rots from within, Sidious plays both sides, and Anakin Skywalker — prophesied as “the Chosen One” — falls to the dark side.

Reception

Long mocked as the weakest trilogy, today loved as nostalgic by a whole generation. The Clone Wars did much of the rehabilitation.

Why it matters

Without the prequels there is no Empire backstory, no clone troopers, no tragic Anakin. The emotional weight of the “NOOO” only makes sense after the prequels.