The future of Star Wars is taking shape, and here are our predictions for the next five movies. Star Wars is generally seen as a movie franchise first and foremost, but it’s been relegated to the small screen for the last few years. Incredibly, there hasn’t been a Star Wars movie since 2019’s Rise of Skywalker.

But Lucasfilm is returning to the big screen next year, and the studio is under orders from Disney to ramp up the films. The Disney+ era has had mixed results for Star Wars – there have been hits like The Mandalorian seasons 1 and 2 and less successful shows like The Book of Boba Fett – but it’s undeniably left a lasting mark on the franchise. The next wave of movies will be inspired by everything Star Wars has done since 2019.

We know two upcoming Star Wars films. One has already wrapped production, meaning it’s certain to come out, and it’s likely to be a surefire hit. Here – inspired by The Legacy Reader‘s recent post on social media – are our predictions for the next five Star Wars movies.

1

The Mandalorian and Grogu

The Disney+ Hit Is Coming To The Big Screen

The age of Disney+ began with The Mandalorian season 1, and this new era of Star Wars movies will kick off with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Written and directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man, The Lion King, The Mandalorian), this will try to tempt in audiences who’ve never subscribed to Disney+ but have nonetheless picked up adorable Grogu merch.

I admit, I had my concerns about this May 2026 release. I was particularly worried about how close Star Wars was to the next Avengers movie; there have been problems in the past when Disney unwisely pitted their two biggest franchises against one another. Thankfully, Avengers: Doomsday has recently moved to Christmas 2026, giving The Mandalorian and Grogu a clear sH๏τ at dominating the box office.

We know precious little about The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s plot right now. Trailers seen at Star Wars Celebration and the like have confirmed Din Djarin is indeed working for the New Republic now, going head-to-head against the forces of the Imperial Remnant. Many speculate all this will feature the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn as well.

2

Star Wars: Starfighter

Shawn Levy’s Mysterious Star Wars Movie

On to another mystery project; Star Wars: Starfighter, a surprise announcement at this year’s Star Wars Celebration. Written by Jonathan Tropper and directed by Lucasfilm’s trusted friend Shawn Levy (of Stranger Things fame), this will introduce viewers to the post-sequel trilogy galaxy. It’s set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, making this uncharted territory for the franchise.

There’s a lot of pressure on Starfighter, which will come out in Star Wars‘ 50th anniversary year. Fortunately, Levy is ᴀssembling an all-star cast for what promises to be an epic in which Gosling’s mystery character – presumably a pilot – must protect a Force-sensitive kid from the dark forces that pursue them.

3

Dawn Of The Jedi

James Mangold’s Jedi Origin Movie

Lucasfilm technically hasn’t booked any slots after May 2027, but we’re ᴀssuming Star Wars is settling into a new pattern. If that’s the case, I think it’s likely the next Star Wars movie will be James Mangold’s “Dawn of the Jedi” project. Set 25,000 years before the Skywalker saga, this will apparently be the story of the first Force-sensitives. As Mangold explained:

“For me, it’s about, I want to be part of the saga, but I also don’t want to be holding so much lore in the air that you can hardly tell a story. And what I really wanted to do, what I told her, was just can we make a kind of the Ten Commandments of the Force, you know? A kind of origin story of how the Force came to be known, understood, wielded, and harnessed.”

Latest reports have suggested this project is taking shape, which makes me think this is the one that will begin production after Starfighter. I can’t help looking to this with a degree of trepidation; the Star Wars fandom doesn’t always respond well to discussions of Force lore, so this could be very controversial.

4

Rey’s New Jedi Order Movie

Daisy Ridley’s Epic Return

​​​​​​​Daisy Ridley’s triumphant Star Wars return was announced back at Star Wars Celebration 2023. Lucasfilm currently plan for Ridley to star in a “New Jedi Order” project by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, with Bourne Ultimatum scribe George Nolfi currently working on a script.

Plans may well change, though. Simon Kinberg is working on a script for an entire trilogy, one that will serve as the backbone for the saga going forwards. I wouldn’t be surprised if Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order movie gets shelved, with Ridley instead starring in an entire trilogy. Either way, I’m still penciling in Rey’s return for 2029, though.

5

Dave Filoni’s “Heir To The Empire”

The Climax Of The Mandalorian Era

Finally, we’re going to go out on a wroshyr limb and predict Dave Filoni’s “Heir to the Empire” movie for 2030. Also announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023, this promises to serve as the climax of the entire Mandalorian era. Most ᴀssume it will wrap up the Grand Admiral Thrawn story that began in Ahsoka season 1. That said, don’t be surprised if plans change here, and this becomes where we get a Mandalorian and Grogu sequel as another step on the journey to that climax.

Most viewers are referring to this as “Heir to the Empire,” as it will essentially serve as a big screen reimagining of the classic (non-canon) novel by legendary Star Wars scribe Timothy Zahn. If so, as a lover of those books, I have to say this is most definitely the Star Wars movie I am most eagerly anticipating.