(Updated 01/30/2024)
STAR WARS is coming back to the big screen! There are four new movies on the way. And the plan is not one big connected story, either, as the movies will explore different periods in the STAR WARS story.
In 2019, THE RISE OF SKYWALKER closed out the nine-movie saga oriented around the Skywalker family. But at least one character has a future. One new movie will follow Rey's attempt to found a new Jedi Order. Then there's a movie to explore the origins of the Jedi, and two movies with roots in the various streaming series.
Here's everything we know about the new STAR WARS movies, only one of which has a title at this point.
New Star Wars Movie Release Dates
Before we get into the details of the three new Star Wars movies, here are the release dates set out by Disney and Lucasfilm. Note that we do not know which movie will open on which date. Those details will be revealed in the coming months.
May 22, 2026
December 18, 2026
December 17, 2027
The Mandalorian & Grogu
When we originally ran down the new STAR WARS movies, this movie was not part of the plan. But THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU has since been announced and positioned as the first release.
The film follows the events of the three seasons of "The Mandalorian," and, as the title suggests, will explore the story of the perpetually-armored Mandalorian and Grogu, still often known as Baby Yoda. Jon Favreau is directing, and co-writing with Dave Filoni.
We expect that several actors will reprise their "Mandalorian" roles, but none are confirmed at this point. That includes star Pedro Pascal.
Rey's Future
The next announced movie, and the one we originally expected to see first, takes STAR WARS into the future. Daisy Ridley will return to star as Rey under director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy ("Ms. Marvel"). The movie is set after THE RISE OF SKYWALKER and will follow Rey as she seeks to build a new Jedi Order. The script is by Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”).
We do know a bit about this movie's setting, however. "We’re 15 years out from ‘Rise of Skywalker,’ so we’re post-war, post-First Order, and the Jedi are in disarray,” Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy told IGN. "There’s a lot of discussion around, ‘Who are the Jedi? What are they doing? What’s the state of the galaxy?’ She’s attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order, based on the books, based on what she promised Luke, so that’s where we’re going."
Kennedy suggested we shouldn't hold out too much hope for Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to show up as a Force ghost. But with Rey searching the Galaxy for new warriors to keep the peace and maintain a connection to the Force, the field is wide-open with possibility.
The Dawn of the Jedi
Another movie will be directed by James Mangold, director of LOGAN and INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY. Mangold's movie will go back to the dawn of the Jedi to show us how the Jedi order was founded. While a title has not been announced for the movie, it seems like STAR WARS: THE DAWN OF THE JEDI would be a good place to start.
We don't have casting or further story info at this point. Those details will all emerge eventually.
Another Mandalorian Movie?
The final new movie — which, to the best of our knowledge is still planned despite the addition of THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU — will be directed by Dave Filoni. He has been a mastermind of the various animated STAR WARS projects on TV, as well as many of the live-action streaming series.
Accordingly, Filoni's movie will focus on the New Republic, which is to say the era that follows the nine primary STAR WARS movies. When it was announced, Lucasfilm said the movie will "close out the interconnected stories told in "The Mandalorian," "The Book of Boba Fett," "Ahsoka," and other Disney+ series."
Precisely how this will take shape — and when we'll see it — is yet to be revealed. A fourth season of "The Mandalorian" was planned, but that may have mutated into THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU movie. A second season of "Andor" is filming now, and a second season of "Ahsoka" is in the planning stages. There's at least one other live-action streaming series set in the New Republic still to come, "Skeleton Crew." More news on this movie will likely follow those series.
And, yes, this movie will follow up on characters and stories from multiple streaming series. Like THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU, however, it will be a theatrical release.
We'll have another STAR WARS update when Disney releases more info.
All images courtesy of Disney and Lucasfilm.