The simple answer to where does Rogue One fit in the Star Wars timeline is:
Within the Star Wars timeline, Rogue One fits between Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith and Episode 4: A New Hope.
Think of it as Episode 3.5
Now let’s dive into a bit more detail as you may be expecting a different answer, or even asking a different question altogether.
First off, let’s clarify what you are asking:
- Where does it fit chronologically?
- Where does it fit in release order?
Where does Rogue One fit chronologically?
From a chronological standpoint Rogue One fits in the Star Wars timeline at 0 BBY. That means that the events of the film occurred within the same year as the first Star Wars Movie, A New Hope.
For another frame of reference, Rogue One takes place 19 years after the events of Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith.
The only other movie that is set between Episode 3 and 4 is Solo (at the time of publishing this article).
Where does Rogue One fit in release order?
Rogue One was released in 2016 and while within the Star Wars timeline it happens during the same year as the events of Episode 4, Rogue One was released almost 40 years after the release of the original Star Wars.
This puts the film release date after The Force Awakens (2015) and just before the Last Jedi (2017).
Here is Rogue One as shown within release order:
- A New Hope (1977)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One (2016)
- The Last Jedi (2017)
- The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Is Rogue one part of the saga?
No, Rogue One is not part of the Skywalker Saga. It’s story does connect to the Saga, but it is not considered part of the Sage.
Rogue One was the first “Star Wars Story.” These Star Wars Stories are anthology films that are set within the Star Wars universe, but run alongside the main saga.
How many years is rogue one before a new hope?
Rogue One takes place within the same year as A New Hope. Simply put, Rogue One happens in the same year as A New Hope.
Is Solo before rogue one?
While Solo was release after Rogue One, the start of the movie Solo take place around 13BBY and end around 7BBY