The Definitive Star Wars Movie Slate: 5 New Films Confirmed For Theaters And The Shocking First Release Date
The future of the galaxy far, far away is now clearer than ever. As of December 2025, Lucasfilm has officially solidified its theatrical slate, pushing the Star Wars saga back onto the big screen with a series of ambitious and era-spanning projects. The long wait for a new cinematic chapter is nearly over, but the next major film hitting theaters might not be the one you expect, kicking off a new era of storytelling that spans 25,000 years of lore.
The first confirmed Star Wars movie with a concrete release date is a direct continuation of the highly successful Disney+ streaming universe, confirming a shift in strategy for the franchise. This definitive guide breaks down the five major theatrical films in development, their directors, timelines, and the shocking first movie to land in multiplexes.
The Next Star Wars Movie: Confirmed Theatrical Slate and Key Details
The Star Wars movie pipeline is currently divided into three distinct chronological eras: the Ancient Past, the New Republic Era (the "Mando-Verse"), and the Post-Sequel Era (the New Jedi Order). Here is the complete breakdown of the confirmed theatrical releases, starting with the very next film.
1. The Mandalorian & Grogu (Release Date: May 22, 2026)
- Era: The New Republic / Mando-Verse
- Director: Jon Favreau
- Key Cast: Pedro Pascal (expected as Din Djarin), Grogu
- Timeline: Set after the events of *The Mandalorian* Season 3 and concurrently with shows like *Ahsoka* and *The Book of Boba Fett*.
The absolute next Star Wars film to premiere in theaters is *The Mandalorian & Grogu*, a feature-length cinematic event that will serve as the culmination of the interconnected stories established in the "Mando-Verse" on Disney+. Directed by series creator Jon Favreau, this film is a monumental step, marking the first time a Disney+ Star Wars series has been directly spun off into a major theatrical release. It will focus squarely on the legendary duo of Din Djarin, the titular Mandalorian, and his adopted son, Grogu, as they navigate the chaotic New Republic era. The plot is rumored to focus on the rising threats to the fledgling government and is intended to "close out" the immediate storylines of this period, setting the stage for future developments.
2. Star Wars: Starfighter (Release Date: May 28, 2027)
- Era: Post-Sequel Trilogy
- Director: Shawn Levy (Expected)
- Key Cast: Ryan Gosling, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Amy Adams
- Timeline: Set approximately five years after *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*.
Revealed during the highly anticipated Star Wars Celebration 2025, *Star Wars: Starfighter* is an entirely new feature film that is currently slated to be the second cinematic release. The film has generated massive buzz due to its star-studded cast, led by Academy Award-nominee Ryan Gosling in a brand-new role. The plot is set firmly in the Post-Sequel era, five years after the defeat of the First Order and Palpatine, and will explore a new corner of the galaxy. Gosling is reportedly playing a Jedi who is training his 15-year-old nephew, played by Flynn Gray, as his Padawan. This places the film in a turbulent time where the galaxy is still struggling to restore law and order, giving it the potential for high-stakes, action-packed adventures that focus on starship combat and aerial dogfights, living up to its title.
The Ambitious Star Wars Movie Projects in Deep Development
Beyond the two confirmed dates, Lucasfilm has three other major feature films announced that will dramatically expand the Star Wars timeline, spanning from the very beginning of the Jedi to the future of the Order.
3. Rey’s New Jedi Order Film (Working Title: New Jedi Order)
- Era: Post-Sequel Trilogy / New Jedi Order
- Director: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
- Key Cast: Daisy Ridley (returning as Rey Skywalker)
- Timeline: Set 15 years after *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*.
This film is arguably the most anticipated project for fans of the Sequel Trilogy, as it marks the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey Skywalker. Directed by Oscar-winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the movie is set 15 years after the events of Episode IX and will see Rey attempting to establish a New Jedi Order. Screenwriter George Nolfi is penning the script, which will explore the immense challenge of rebuilding the Jedi legacy from the ground up in a galaxy that is wary of the Force-users who have repeatedly failed to prevent conflict. Obaid-Chinoy has emphasized that Rey is "the heart" of this new era, suggesting a story focused on hope and the mentorship of a new generation of Jedi.
4. James Mangold’s ‘Dawn of the Jedi’ Film
- Era: The Ancient Past / Dawn of the Jedi
- Director: James Mangold
- Key Cast: TBD
- Timeline: Set approximately 25,000 years before the Original Trilogy.
Director James Mangold, known for films like *Logan* and *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*, is taking the Star Wars saga further back in time than any previous cinematic project. His film, titled *Dawn of the Jedi*, is described as a "biblical epic" and will explore the earliest origins of the Jedi Order itself. The story is an entirely original concept, completely separate from the Skywalker Saga and the events of the nine core films. Plot details are scarce, but the film will delve into the very first beings to wield the Force and the initial separation of the Light and Dark sides, potentially featuring the ancient and powerful Rakatan species, which were a key part of the 'Legends' continuity.
5. Dave Filoni’s New Republic Crossover Film
- Era: The New Republic / Mando-Verse
- Director: Dave Filoni
- Key Cast: Characters from *The Mandalorian*, *Ahsoka*, and *The Book of Boba Fett*
- Timeline: The "culmination" of the New Republic era storylines.
While *The Mandalorian & Grogu* is the first Mando-Verse film, Dave Filoni's project is intended to be the grand finale. Filoni, Lucasfilm's Chief Creative Officer and the architect of the Mando-Verse, is set to direct a film that will serve as a massive crossover event, bringing together the heroes and villains from all the New Republic-era Disney+ shows. This film is expected to feature a decisive confrontation against the Imperial Remnant, likely led by the formidable Grand Admiral Thrawn, who was last seen being pursued by Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren. Filoni's movie will ultimately resolve the central conflict of this era, tying together the narrative threads of the live-action shows into a cohesive cinematic conclusion.
The Star Wars Cinematic Timeline: A Galaxy of Eras
The upcoming five-film slate is notable for its deliberate strategy of jumping between three distinct eras, ensuring the franchise avoids being creatively constrained by the Skywalker Saga. This approach builds topical authority by confirming that Star Wars is expanding its lore in multiple directions simultaneously.
- The Ancient Past (25,000+ Years Before Episode I): James Mangold’s *Dawn of the Jedi* will explore the most ancient history of the Force, a time before the Galactic Republic and the Jedi-Sith conflict were fully formed.
- The New Republic Era (Post-Episode VI): This era is the most immediate focus, with *The Mandalorian & Grogu* and Dave Filoni’s Crossover film tackling the fallout of the Galactic Civil War and the rise of new threats like the Imperial Remnant. This period is rich with entities like Moff Gideon, Bo-Katan Kryze, and Ezra Bridger, all of whom could make the jump to the big screen.
- The Post-Sequel Era (Post-Episode IX): Both *Star Wars: Starfighter* and Rey’s New Jedi Order film are set here, a chaotic time where the galaxy is recovering. These films will introduce new characters and concepts while dealing with the legacy of the Sequel Trilogy and the daunting task of establishing a new, more resilient Jedi Order.
The next movie, *The Mandalorian & Grogu*, will be the first theatrical test of this new strategy, proving that the Star Wars universe can successfully bridge the gap between television and film while delivering a fresh, compelling, and truly epic story.
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