Time Spent Across the Star Wars Trilogies

The Skywalker saga, spanning nine films, traces the journey of generations within the Skywalker family. Each Star Wars movie showcases the rise and fall of the Jedi Order, the dominance of the Empire, and the ultimate defeat of Emperor Palpatine. These storylines intertwine to create an epic space opera exploring themes of hope, courage, and destiny. The saga culminated in The Rise of Skywalker, concluding this epic tale. However, the Star Wars universe has expanded beyond the films, with Disney+ shows like Andor, The Mandalorian, and Obi-Wan Kenobi enriching the timeline.

The vast Skywalker saga unfolds over numerous years within the galactic history of Star Wars. While the films provide only a glimpse into the timeline, the saga itself spans multiple decades and generations of Skywalkers, from Anakin's mother Schmi to Rey Skywalker. The exact number of years between each film is not explicitly stated, leading to speculation. To shed light on this, we will explore how much time elapses during each Star Wars trilogy, the decades that separate them, and where the various Star Wars TV shows fit into this expansive timeline.

How Much Time Passes In The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy?

Anakin Skywalker and Shmi say goodbye to one another in The Phantom Menace - How Much Time Passes In The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy?

The prequel trilogy, created by George Lucas, covers the longest period of time in the entire Star Wars saga. It all begins with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace in 32 BBY, before the Battle of Yavin. This was a time when the Jedi Order was strong and the Galactic Republic was enjoying peace. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones takes place ten years later, in 22 BBY.

Moving forward, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is set in 19 BBY, showing the events three years after the previous movie. The time between Episodes II and III was explored in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, enhancing Anakin's story. The prequel trilogy spans 13 years in total, starting with a 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker and ending with his transformation into the infamous Darth Vader at the age of 22.

How Much Time Passes Between Revenge Of The Sith And A New Hope?

Obi-Wan Kenobi Darth Vader Mustafar Throne - How Much Time Passes Between Revenge Of The Sith And A New Hope?

The Star Wars timeline spans a significant gap between the prequels and the original trilogy. Specifically, 19 years pass between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, marking the transition from 19 BBY to 0 BBY. This period is characterized by Palpatine's rise to power, Vader's Inquisition hunting down Jedi survivors, and the early formation of the Rebellion. Meanwhile, Luke and Leia grow up apart, hidden by Obi-Wan Kenobi from their enemies.

Following this time jump, Solo: A Star Wars Story takes place between 13 BBY and 10 BBY. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor also occur during this timeframe, with the animated series Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: The Bad Batch set between 5 BBY and 0 BBY. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story then leads directly into the events of A New Hope, occurring in 0 BBY and seamlessly connecting the anthology film to the original Star Wars by George Lucas.

How Much Time Passes In The Star Wars Original Trilogy?

Luke Skywalker in Tatooine looking to the distance in Star Wars A New Hope. - How Much Time Passes In The Star Wars Original Trilogy?

The original trilogy's story is more condensed compared to the time periods between The Phantom Menace and Revenge of the Sith, and the gap between the prequels and originals. A New Hope takes place in 0 BBY, with the Battle of Yavin being a significant event in the film. Three years later, The Empire Strikes Back continues the story, reflecting the real-world wait for the sequel.

Return of the Jedi occurs in 4 ABY, one year after The Empire Strikes Back. Throughout the original trilogy, only four years pass in total. Luke Skywalker begins his journey at 19 years old in A New Hope and completes his Jedi training by the age of 23. On the other hand, Anakin Skywalker, who later becomes Darth Vader, passes away at the age of 45, 36 years after his initiation as a Jedi in The Phantom Menace.

How Much Time Passes Between Return Of The Jedi And The Force Awakens?

Luke Ahsoka Jedi - How Much Time Passes Between Return Of The Jedi And The Force Awakens?

Between Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, there is a 30-year gap, similar to the one between the prequel and original trilogies. During this time, Luke Skywalker witnesses the rise and fall of his new Jedi order, Leia and Han get married, and Palpatine begins building the First Order. Kylo Ren, Finn, and Rey are born in this period, while Poe Dameron is born between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

No Star Wars movies outside the Skywalker Saga have been set in this 30-year period. However, Lucasfilm and Disney have announced The Mandalorian & Grogu, the next Star Wars movie scheduled for release. It is set at the same time as The Mandalorian in 9 ABY, five years after Return of the Jedi. This era is known as the New Republic era, with recent shows like Ahsoka extending the timeline to 12 ABY.

How Much Time Passes In The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy?

Han and Leia hug goodbye in The Force Awakens - How Much Time Passes In The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy?

The sequel trilogy is the shortest of the three in terms of how much time passes within the Star Wars universe. In The Force Awakens, the story is set in 34 ABY, and The Last Jedi begins immediately after the events of Episode VII. This is the only time in the Skywalker Saga where there is no time jump between movies. However, there is a slight change in timing for the final chapter, The Rise of Skywalker, though not a significant one.

In Episode IX, the timeline jumps to 35 ABY, meaning all the events of the sequel trilogy occurred within a year. Rey is 19 years old when she embarks on her journey and 20 when it concludes. Unlike the Empire's gradual rise to power, Palpatine's return is brief but has a devastating impact on the galaxy due to the destruction of several Republic planets during The Force Awakens' Starkiller Incident (also known as the Hosnian Cataclysm in-universe).

How Much Time Passes Between Rise Of Skywalker & Rey's New Jedi Order?

rey-new-jedi-order-movie-not-star-wars-10-exciting - How Much Time Passes Between Rise Of Skywalker & Rey's New Jedi Order?

In the entire Skywalker Saga, a total of 67 years pass.

Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker Saga Rey SR - How Many Years Pass In The Entire Skywalker Saga?

The Skywalker Saga, spanning 67 years, is a grand space adventure that began with Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977. The journey is filled with time jumps and epic moments that have captivated fans over the years. Recently, at SWCE 2023, it was announced that The Rise of Skywalker is not the final chapter for Star Wars. Lucasfilm plans to expand the galaxy further, exploring Rey's new Jedi Order and the adventures of The Mandalorian & Grogu. Although no release dates have been confirmed yet, the Star Wars universe will continue to grow with new stories featuring Rey Skywalker, Din Djarin, and Grogu.

Editor's P/S:

The Star Wars saga is a sprawling epic that has captivated audiences for generations. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the timeline, detailing the time jumps between each film and how the various Star Wars TV shows fit into the larger narrative. It's fascinating to see how the story unfolds over multiple decades and generations of Skywalkers, each with their own unique journey and impact on the galaxy.

The article also highlights the interconnectedness of the Star Wars universe, with the films, TV shows, and even upcoming projects all contributing to the rich tapestry of the story. It's exciting to think about what the future holds for Star Wars, as Lucasfilm continues to expand the galaxy and explore new characters and adventures. One thing is for sure: the Star Wars saga is far from over, and fans can look forward to many more years of epic storytelling.