Upcoming Star Wars Movies and Series: A Glimpse into the Future
Amy HennigAs 2026 unfolds, the Star Wars saga is gearing up for a significant resurgence, promising an exciting array of new content. While the preceding year, 2025, offered a steady stream of shows like the conclusion of Andor, Skeleton Crew, and the return of Star Wars: Visions for its third installment, it was generally a quieter period for the expansive franchise. Following the mixed reception of Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker in 2019 and Solo: A Star Wars Story the year before, recent years have seen a greater focus on television productions, spanning live-action series such as The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Acolyte, and Ahsoka, alongside animated favorites like The Bad Batch. However, the next two years, 2026 and 2027, mark a pivotal return to the big screen, with upcoming cinematic releases including The Mandalorian and Grogu and Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter. This theatrical comeback will be complemented by new animated series for television, notably Maul: Shadow Lord and Visions' Ninth Jedi, completing Lucasfilm's ambitious 2026 lineup.
Previously, Lucasfilm and Disney provided insights into their future plans for the Star Wars universe, detailing upcoming projects and confirming various release dates. Since then, several film endeavors have been shelved or postponed, including Rian Johnson's proposed trilogy, Kevin Feige's project, and Donald Glover's enigmatic Lando film. One notable cancellation, The Hunt for Ben Solo, only came to light through a leak by actor Adam Driver himself. To keep fans informed about the evolving landscape of Star Wars content, a comprehensive calendar of confirmed releases and projects currently in development for the coming years has been compiled, outlining what to anticipate, where to watch, and when these exciting additions will arrive.
Looking ahead to 2027, the Star Wars galaxy promises a vibrant slate of new adventures. Ahsoka's second season is slated for January 20, 2027, on Disney Plus, continuing its narrative with two distinct plotlines. One will follow Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) and Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) as they are pursued by Shin (Ivanna Sakhno) on Peridea, with Rory McCann stepping in as Baylan Skoll. The second storyline will track Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) as he launches attacks against the nascent New Republic. Other returning cast members include Eman Esfandi as Ezra Bridger, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla. This season is also set to delve into the complex arrival of the Mortis Gods, presenting a significant storytelling challenge for Lucasfilm. February 19, 2027, marks a special cinematic event: a limited theatrical re-release of the original 1977 Star Wars: A New Hope, celebrating its 50th anniversary. This offering will present the film in its untouched original form, free from later digital alterations, including 70 mm IMAX showings. Then, on May 28, 2027, Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter will hit theaters. Set after the sequel trilogy, this film boasts a star-studded cast including Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith as the villain, Mia Goth, Amy Adams, and others, with cinematography by Top Gun: Maverick's Claudio Miranda, promising thrilling aerial combat visuals. Levy expressed his honor in leading this new Star Wars film, highlighting his personal and creative fulfillment in contributing to the iconic galaxy. Additionally, Maul: Shadow Lord is confirmed for a second season in 2027, continuing the animated adventures of the former Sith Lord after a successful first season, though its exact release date remains to be announced.
Beyond these dated releases, several other Star Wars projects are in various stages of development. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s untitled Star Wars film, envisioned to take place 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker in a new era dubbed the New Jedi Order, will follow Rey Skywalker (Daisy Ridley) as she endeavors to rebuild the Jedi Order. Despite changes in its writing team—with Steven Knight and later George Nolfi taking over from Damon Lindelof—the project's future appears uncertain, especially in light of recent leadership changes at Lucasfilm. Similarly, an untitled film by Dave Filoni, co-president of Lucasfilm and a creative force behind many Star Wars TV series, is planned to explore the New Republic era between The Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, aiming to tie together narratives from The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. James Mangold’s untitled Star Wars movie, also known as "Dawn of the Jedi," stands out for its ambitious setting—25,000 years before the original trilogy—seeking to explore the origins of the Force and the Jedi. Despite its unique premise, the project has reportedly been paused. Simon Kinberg, known for his work on Star Wars: Rebels, is developing an untitled Star Wars movie trilogy. While some reports suggest it could be Episodes 10-12 of the Skywalker Saga, others indicate it will forge a new path for the franchise, inspired by the storytelling quality of Andor. Taika Waititi’s untitled Star Wars film, first announced in 2020, remains shrouded in mystery, though both Kathleen Kennedy and Waititi have confirmed it is still in progress, with Waititi emphasizing his desire not to rush its development. Finally, "A Droid Story," an animated film featuring R2-D2 and C-3PO guiding a new character, is in limbo, having received no updates since its announcement in 2020. The Lando project, initially a Disney Plus series and later re-envisioned as a film, also faces an uncertain future, with Donald and Stephen Glover currently developing the script. These numerous projects underscore Lucasfilm's ongoing commitment to expanding the Star Wars narrative, reflecting a dynamic blend of established timelines and fresh explorations, thereby continuously enriching the saga for its dedicated fanbase.
