Star Wars
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| |
|---|---|
| Genre | Space opera · Science fantasy |
| Created by | George Lucas |
| Original work | Star Wars (1977) |
| Owner | Lucasfilm (The Walt Disney Company) |
| Years active | 1977 – present |
| Films | 13 theatrical films |
| Website | starwars.com |
Star Wars is an American space opera franchise created by George Lucas. It began with the 1977 film Star Wars, which became one of the most successful movies ever made. The story takes place in a distant galaxy where heroes and villains battle over the fate of billions, often using a mysterious energy called the Force.
Since 1977, Star Wars has grown into one of the largest media franchises in history. It includes theatrical films, live-action and animated television series, novels, comic books, video games, and even theme park lands. The franchise is owned by Lucasfilm, which The Walt Disney Company purchased from George Lucas in 2012 for about $4 billion.
1 Setting✎
Star Wars takes place "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." The galaxy is home to humans and countless alien species, connected by faster-than-light space travel. Droids — intelligent robots like R2-D2 and C-3PO — serve alongside living beings.
At the center of the saga is the Force, an invisible energy field that gives special individuals extraordinary powers. The Jedi use the light side of the Force to protect peace and justice, while the Sith use the dark side to gain power. Famous weapons called lightsabers, glowing blades of energy, are carried by both orders.
The main saga follows the Skywalker family across three generations: the fall of Anakin Skywalker into the villain Darth Vader, the rise of his son Luke Skywalker as a Jedi, and the struggles of Rey against the remnants of evil decades later.
2 Films✎
The heart of Star Wars is the nine-episode "Skywalker Saga," released as three trilogies over more than forty years. Several standalone films expand the universe beyond the main story.
| Trilogy | Film | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Original | A New Hope | 1977. 05. 25. |
| The Empire Strikes Back | 1980. 05. 21. | |
| Return of the Jedi | 1983. 05. 25. | |
| Prequel | The Phantom Menace | 1999. 05. 19. |
| Attack of the Clones | 2002. 05. 16. | |
| Revenge of the Sith | 2005. 05. 19. | |
| Sequel | The Force Awakens | 2015. 12. 18. |
| The Last Jedi | 2017. 12. 15. | |
| The Rise of Skywalker | 2019. 12. 20. |
Outside the saga, Lucasfilm has released the anthology films Rogue One (2016) and Solo (2018), the animated film The Clone Wars (2008), and The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), the franchise's first theatrical film in seven years. The next film, Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled for 2027. 05. 28.
3 Television✎
Star Wars expanded to streaming television after Disney+ launched in 2019. The Mandalorian, the story of a lone bounty hunter protecting the child Grogu, became a worldwide hit and introduced one of the franchise's most beloved characters. Other live-action series include Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, The Acolyte, and Skeleton Crew.
Animation has been just as important. The Clone Wars (2008–2020) and Rebels (2014–2018) filled in major parts of the story between the films, while newer series like The Bad Batch, Visions, and Maul – Shadow Lord continue to grow the universe.
4 Other media✎
Hundreds of Star Wars novels and comics have been published since 1976. In 2014, Lucasfilm reorganized the storytelling universe: works made before then were labeled "Legends" and removed from the official timeline, while everything after became part of a single connected canon.
Star Wars video games stretch from 1980s arcade machines to modern blockbusters like Jedi: Fallen Order and Outlaws. Fans can also visit Galaxy's Edge, a themed land at Disney parks in California and Florida built to look like a real Star Wars planet.
5 Cultural impact✎
Star Wars changed how movies are made and sold. The original film pioneered modern special effects through Industrial Light & Magic, the company Lucas founded, and proved that merchandise like action figures could earn more than the films themselves. Phrases like "May the Force be with you" are recognized around the world, and fans even celebrate an unofficial holiday, Star Wars Day, every May 4th.
6 Other wikis✎
- Star Wars at Wikipedia
- Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki