History of Star Wars in Timeline

Star Wars is a globally recognized American media franchise created by George Lucas, commencing with the 1977 film. This space opera saga quickly gained immense popularity, evolving into an expansive fictional universe through films, TV series, video games, novels, comics, and theme park attractions. It stands as one of the highest-grossing media franchises ever.

1977: Launch of Star Wars Trading Cards

In 1977, Topps launched the first series of Star Wars Trading Cards, known as the "blue" series, marking the beginning of a long-standing collectible card tradition.

1977: Painting introduced Star Wars

In 1977, a painting introduced the world to Star Wars

1977: Release of Star Wars: Escape from the Death Star board game

In 1977, the board game Star Wars: Escape from the Death Star was released, expanding the franchise's presence in the board game market.

1977: Film reinvigorates 20th Century Fox

In 1977, the original Star Wars film's success reinvigorated 20th Century Fox, doubling the studio's stock price and significantly increasing its annual profits.

1977: George Lucas secures merchandising rights

In 1977, while filming the original Star Wars film, George Lucas took a $500,000 pay cut in exchange for full ownership of the franchise's merchandising rights.

1977: Political themes in Star Wars

Since the franchise launched in 1977, political science has been an important element of Star Wars, focusing on a struggle between democracy and dictatorship.

1977: Cultural impact of Star Wars

The first Star Wars film in 1977 became a cultural unifier, enjoyed by a wide spectrum of people and helped launch the science-fiction boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s, making science-fiction films a mainstream genre.

1979: Influence on Alien

In 1979, George Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars influenced Ridley Scott's film Alien.

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1981: Influence on Mad Max 2

In 1981, George Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars influenced George Miller's film Mad Max 2.

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1982: Influence on Blade Runner

In 1982, Ridley Scott's Blade Runner was influenced by George Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars.

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1984: Influence on The Terminator

In 1984, George Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars influenced The Terminator.

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1986: Influence on Aliens

In 1986, George Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars influenced James Cameron's film Aliens.

1987: Merchandising revenue reaches US$2.6 billion

By 1987, the first three Star Wars films had generated US$2.6 billion in merchandising revenue, highlighting the franchise's commercial success.

1987: Launch of Star Tours

In 1987, the Disneyland ride Star Tours was launched, marking the beginning of Star Wars attractions at Disney parks.

1989: Original Star Wars film selected for preservation

In 1989, the Library of Congress selected the original Star Wars film for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry.

1993: High value of "floating Yoda" P3 card

In 1993, the Galaxy Series II "floating Yoda" P3 card became a highly collectible Star Wars trading card, often commanding prices of US$1,000 or more.

1995: Decipher, Inc. produces Star Wars Customizable Card Game

From 1995, Decipher, Inc. began producing the Star Wars Customizable Card Game, expanding the trading card options for fans.

1995: Release of Dark Forces

In 1995, LucasArts released Dark Forces, the first Star Wars first-person shooter. This hybrid adventure game featured unique gameplay and graphical features due to its custom-designed game engine, the Jedi. The game's success led to four sequels and introduced Kyle Katarn, a former stormtrooper who became a Jedi.

1996: Shadows of the Empire multimedia project released

In 1996, Shadows of the Empire, a multimedia project set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, was released. It included a novel by Steve Perry, a comic book series, a video game, and action figures.

Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)

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1997: Special Editions presented for preservation

In 1997, 35 mm reels of the Special Editions of the Star Wars films were initially presented for preservation due to difficulties in transferring from the original prints.

1997: Pez dispensers production begins

In 1997, Pez dispensers featuring Star Wars characters began to be produced, adding another product line to the franchise's merchandise portfolio.

1997: Release of Star Wars Monopoly and themed versions of Trivial Pursuit and Battleship

In 1997, Star Wars Monopoly and themed versions of Trivial Pursuit and Battleship were released, further integrating the franchise into popular board games.

2001: End of Decipher's license for Star Wars Customizable Card Game

In 2001, Decipher, Inc.'s license for creating and producing the Star Wars Customizable Card Game ended.

2001: Influence on The Lord of the Rings trilogy

In 2001, Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy began, influenced by Star Wars.

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2002: Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards debut

In 2002, Lucasfilm sponsored the first annual Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards, recognizing filmmakers in the parody, mockumentary, and documentary genres.

2003: Influence on The Lord of the Rings trilogy

In 2003, Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy concluded, influenced by Star Wars.

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2003: Launch of Star Wars Galaxies

In 2003, Star Wars Galaxies, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, was launched, providing a new avenue for fans to engage with the Star Wars universe.

2005: The Clone Wars Edition of Risk released

In 2005, Hasbro adapted the board game Risk into The Clone Wars Edition, incorporating elements from the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

2006: The Original Trilogy Edition of Risk released

In 2006, Hasbro released The Original Trilogy Edition of Risk, adapting the classic board game with themes and elements from the original Star Wars trilogy.

2007: Expansion of Fan Film Awards

In 2007, Lucasfilm changed the submission standards for the Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards to allow in-universe fiction entries, expanding the scope of the competition.

2008: The Force Unleashed multimedia project launch

In 2008, The Force Unleashed, a multimedia project set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, was launched. It included a novel, a video game, a graphic novel, a role-playing game supplement, and toys.

2010: Influence on Inception

In 2010, Christopher Nolan cited Star Wars as an influence when making the blockbuster film Inception.

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2010: The Empire Strikes Back selected for preservation

In 2010, The Empire Strikes Back was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry.

2010: The Force Unleashed sequel release

In 2010, a sequel to The Force Unleashed video game was released as part of The Force Unleashed multimedia project.

2011: Launch of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

In 2011, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, the successor to the original Star Tours ride, was launched at Disney parks.

2011: Closure of Star Wars Galaxies

In 2011, Star Wars Galaxies, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game, ceased operation, marking the end of an era for online Star Wars gaming.

2012: Merchandising revenue reaches US$20 billion

By 2012, the first six Star Wars films had produced approximately US$20 billion in merchandising revenue, underscoring the franchise's enduring popularity and commercial viability.

2013: LucasArts shifts to licensor

In 2013, following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, LucasArts ceased its role as a developer, transitioning to a licensor for Star Wars properties.

November 2015: Release of Star Wars: Battlefront

In November 2015, Star Wars: Battlefront received a canonical reboot, marking a new era for the game series.

November 2017: Release of Jedi Challenges and Battlefront II

In November 2017, Disney partnered with Lenovo to release the augmented reality video game Jedi Challenges, and Battlefront II, a canonical reboot to the Battlefront games, was also released.

August 2018: Zynga to Publish Star Wars Mobile Games

In August 2018, it was announced that Zynga would publish free-to-play Star Wars mobile games, expanding the franchise's presence in the mobile gaming market.

November 2019: Release of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

In November 2019, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a single-player action-adventure game with an original story and cast of characters, was released, offering a new narrative experience within the Star Wars universe.

2019: Opening of Galaxy's Edge

In 2019, the immersive themed area called Galaxy's Edge opened at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, offering a new level of Star Wars immersion for park visitors.

October 2020: Release of Star Wars: Squadrons

In October 2020, Star Wars: Squadrons, a space combat game building upon the space battles from Battlefront, was released, giving players an immersive space combat experience.

2021: Return of the Jedi selected for preservation

In 2021, Return of the Jedi was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry.

2022: Operation of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser begins

In 2022, the themed hotel Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser began operations at Walt Disney World, providing guests with an immersive, multi-day Star Wars experience.

2023: Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser closes

In 2023, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser ceased operations at Walt Disney World.

December 2025: Painting sells for record price

In December 2025, a 1977 painting that introduced the world to Star Wars sold for a record $3.875 million at Heritage Auctions, becoming the most expensive piece of memorabilia in the franchise’s history.