To help Star Wars fans rewatch one of the franchise's most powerful narratives, Lucasfilm released an official chronological watch order for Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
The animated series set between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith ran from 2008 through 2020; but despite its strong fan following, it wasn't always so easy to follow the show itself.
Not only did a whacky production style result in episodes being released out of order; but after running for five seasons on Cartoon Network, The Clone Wars was canceled after Disney acquired Lucasfilm.
Following a shortened sixth season on Netflix, Disney renewed The Clone Wars for a final and triumphant seventh season on Disney+.
Given the series' importance to Star Wars lore, as well as new projects featuring its original stars, a chronological guide for The Clone Wars is sure to be handy for fans old and new alike.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Chronological Watch Order
The official Star Wars Twitter account shared an article that gives a sequential listing for Star Wars: The Clone Wars' episodes, giving fans the opportunity to rematch the series in full chronological order:
"Did someone say Star Wars: The Clone Wars rewatch? We present you the official sequential viewing order for the animated series now streaming on Disney+."
Though initially published in 2014, the list was updated after the release of the final season to account for the culmination of the series.
This post comes as the first time Lucasfilm has promoted the chronological list on social media platforms. The full chronological order of episodes can be seen below:
- Season 2, Episode 16 - Cat and Mouse
- Season 1, Episode 16 - Hidden Enemy
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)
- Season 3, Episode 1 - Clone Cadets
- Season 3, Episode 3 - Supply Lines
- Season 1, Episode 1 - Ambush
- Season 1, Episode 2 - Rising Malevolence
- Season 1, Episode 3 - Shadow of Malevolence
- Season 1, Episode 4 - Destroy Malevolence
- Season 1, Episode 5 - Rookies
- Season 1, Episode 6 - Downfall of a Droid
- Season 1, Episode 7 - Duel of the Droids
- Season 1, Episode 8 - Bombad Jedi
- Season 1, Episode 9 - Cloak of Darkness
- Season 1, Episode 10 - Lair of Grievous
- Season 1, Episode 11 - Dooku Captured
- Season 1, Episode 12 - The Gungan General
- Season 1, Episode 13 - Jedi Crash
- Season 1, Episode 14 - Defenders of Peace
- Season 1, Episode 15 - Trespass
- Season 1, Episode 16 - Blue Shadow Virus
- Season 1, Episode 18 - Mystery of a Thousand Moons
- Season 1, Episode 19 - Storm over Ryloth
- Season 1, Episode 20 - Innocents of Ryloth
- Season 1, Episode 21 - Liberty on Ryloth
- Season 2, Episode 1 - Holocron Heist
- Season 2, Episode 2 - Cargo of Doom
- Season 2, Episode 3 - Children of the Force
- Season 2, Episode 17 - Bounty Hunters
- Season 2, Episode 18 - The Zillo Beast
- Season 2, Episode 19 - The Zillo Beast Strikes Back
- Season 2, Episode 4 - Senate Spy
- Season 2, Episode 5 - Landing at Point Rain
- Season 2, Episode 6 - Weapons Factory
- Season 2, Episode 7 - Legacy of Terror
- Season 2, Episode 8 - Brain Invaders
- Season 2, Episode 9 - Grievous Intrigue
- Season 2, Episode 10 - The Deserter
- Season 2, Episode 11 - Lightsaber Lost
- Season 2, Episode 12 - The Mandalore Plot
- Season 2, Episode 13 - Voyage of Temptation
- Season 2, Episode 14 - Duchess of Mandalorie
- Season 2, Episode 20 - Death Trap
- Season 2, Episode 21 - R2 Come Home
- Season 2, Episode 22 - Lethal Trackdown
- Season 3, Episode 5 - Corruption
- Season 3, Episode 6 - The Academy
- Season 3, Episode 7 - Assassin
- Season 3, Episode 2 - ARC Troopers
- Season 3, Episode 4 - Sphere of Influence
- Season 3, Episode 8 - Evil Plans
- Season 1, Episode 22 - Hostage Crisis
- Season 3, Episode 9 - The Hunt for Ziro
- Season 3, Episode 10 - Heroes on Both Sides
- Season 3, Episode 11 - Pursuit of Peace
- Season 2, Episode 15 - Senate Murders
- Season 3, Episode 12 - Nightsisters
- Season 3, Episode 13 - Monster
- Season 3, Episode 14 - Witches of the Mist
- Season 3, Episode 15 - Overlords
- Season 3, Episode 16 - Altar of Mortis
- Season 3, Episode 17 - Ghosts of Mortis
- Season 3, Episode 18 - The Citadel
- Season 3, Episode 19 - Counter Attack
- Season 3, Episode 20 - Citadel Rescue
- Season 3, Episode 21 - Padawan Lost
- Season 3, Episode 14 - Wookiee Hunt
- Season 4, Episode 1 - Water War
- Season 4, Episode 2 - Gungan Attack
- Season 4, Episode 3 - Prisoners
- Season 4, Episode 4 - Shadow Warrior
- Season 4, Episode 5 - Mercy Mission
- Season 4, Episode 6 - Nomad Droids
- Season 4, Episode 7 - Darkness on Umbara
- Season 4, Episode 8 - The General
- Season 4, Episode 9 - Plan of Dissent
- Season 4, Episode 10 - Carnage of Krell
- Season 4, Episode 11 - Kidnapped
- Season 4, Episode 12 - Slaves of the Republic
- Season 4, Episode 13 - Escape from Kadavo
- Season 4, Episode 14 - A Friend in Need
- Season 4, Episode 15 - Deception
- Season 4, Episode 16 - Friends and Enemies
- Season 4, Episode 17 - The Box
- Season 4, Episode 18 - Crisis on Naboo
- Season 4, Episode 19 - Massacre
- Season 4, Episode 20 - Bounty
- Season 4, Episode 21 - Brothers
- Season 4, Episode 22 - Revenge
- Season 5, Episode 2 - A War on Two Fronts
- Season 5, Episode 3 - Front Runners
- Season 5, Episode 4 - The Soft War
- Season 5, Episode 5 - Tipping Points
- Season 5, Episode 6 - The Gathering
- Season 5, Episode 7 - A Test of Strength
- Season 5, Episode 8 - Bound for Rescue
- Season 5, Episode 9 - A Necessary Bond
- Season 5, Episode 10 - Secret Weapons
- Season 5, Episode 11 - A Sunny Day in the Void
- Season 5, Episode 12 - Missing in Action
- Season 5, Episode 13 - Point of No Return
- Season 5, Episode 1 - Revival
- Season 5, Episode 14 - Eminence
- Season 5, Episode 15 - Shades of Reason
- Season 5, Episode 16 - The Lawless
- Season 5, Episode 17 - Sabotage
- Season 5, Episode 18 - The Jedi Who Knew Too Much
- Season 5, Episode 19 - To Catch a Jedi
- Season 5, Episode 20 - The Wrong Jedi
- Season 6, Episode 1 - The Unknown
- Season 6, Episode 2 - Conspiracy
- Season 6, Episode 3 - Fugitive
- Season 6, Episode 4 - Orders
- Season 6, Episode 5 - An Old Friend
- Season 6, Episode 6 - The Rise of Clovis
- Season 6, Episode 7 - Crisis at the Heart
- Season 6, Episode 8 - The Disappeared
- Season 6, Episode 9 - The Disappeared Pt. II
- Season 6, Episode 10 - The Lost One
- Season 6, Episode 11 - Voices
- Season 6, Episode 12 - Destiny
- Season 6, Episode 13 - Sacrifice
- Season 7, Episode 5 - Gone with a Trace
- Season 7, Episode 6 - Deal No Deal
- Season 7, Episode 7 - Dangerous Debt
- Season 7, Episode 8 - Together Again
- Season 7, Episode 1 - The Bad Batch
- Season 7, Episode 2 - A Distant Echo
- Season 7, Episode 3 - On the Wings of Keeradaks
- Season 7, Episode 4 - Unfinished Business
- Season 7, Episode 9 - Old Friends Not Forgotten
- Season 7, Episode 10 - The Phantom Apprentice
- Season 7, Episode 11 - Shattered
- Season 7, Episode 12 - Victory and Death
So Which Clone Wars Episodes Are Most Important?
Following the Season 7 conclusion of The Clone Wars, Star Wars has continued to release new seasons of The Mandalorian and looks to continue with a future Season 4.
In addition to tales of Mando and Grogu, Star Wars has released additional shows set in The Mandalorian era, such as The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka, which are buildings towards a "MandoVerse" movie helmed by Dave Filoni.
The following is a list of ten Clone Wars episodes that look to be the most important for the MandoVerse and where it's headed.
1.) Season 2: Episode 12 - The Mandalore Plot
This episode provided audiences with a literal education of Mandalore and Mandalorian culture and serves as a cornerstone for The Mandalorian's own lore.
It's here that Star Wars audiences are introduced to the Death Watch, a precursor to Din Djarin's clan "Children of the Watch," which may continue to be explored in The Mandalorian's upcoming season.
"The Mandalore Plot" also marks the debut of the Darksaber (which Ahsoka's Sabine Wren would one day wield) and an explanation of its history and Jedi connections.
2.) Season 3: Episode 16 - Altar of Mortis
The second episode of The Clone Wars' Mortis arc, "Altar of Mortis" sees the Son (one of the three mysterious entities of the Force) putting Ahsoka under a spell to gain Anakin's help. After the Daughter entity sacrifices herself to save the Father from the Son, she passes her life into Ahsoka.
After this event, Morai, a spirit owl with a connection to the Daughter, follows Ahsoka; and what transpired in this episode will likely contribute to upcoming events in the Ahsoka series.
3.) Season 5: Episode 15 - Shades of Reason
After Darth Maul allies with Pre Vizsla's Death Watch to overtake Mandalore and imprison Duchess Satine Kryze, Maul defeats Vizsla in a duel winning both the Darksaber and his role as the ruler of Death Watch and Mandalore.
This episode highlights the rule of having to win the Darksaber in battle, a major plot point in The Mandalorian. It also includes the Pyke Syndicate from The Book of Fett and shows why Bo-Katan Kryze (voiced by her live-action actor, Katee Sackhoff) abandons the Death Watch.
4.) Season 3: Episode 12 - Nightsisters
This Clone Wars episode introduced the Nightsisters, an ancient clan of women with magical capabilities who live on Dathomir.
Episode 2 of Ahsoka revealed that the villainous Morgan Elsbeth is Star Wars' first live-action Nightsister and crucial to finally locating Grand Admiral Thrawn.
5.) Season 5: Episode 18 - The Jedi Who Knew Too Much
Following a terrorist attack on the Jedi Temple, Ahsoka is accused of murdering a bombing suspect. After making her escape, she sets out on a mission to clear her name.
This episode is not only key to Ahsoka's character and her history but is a pivotal point in her own life, shaping her own view of the Jedi, the Clone Wars, and her relationship with Anakin.
6.) Season 5: Episode 20 - The Wrong Jedi
After she's eventually recaptured, the Jedi Council doesn't believe Ahsoka's innocence and expels her from the Jedi Order. Anakin eventually clears her name when he discovers Barriss Offee is the actual culprit; however, certain elements of Barriss' criticism of the Jedi still strike a chord.
Ahsoka is invited back to the Jedi Order and her place as Anakin's apprentice; but shockingly, she decides to leave the Order due to her disillusionment, which only feeds into Anakin's feelings towards the Jedi.
7.) Season 7: Episode 9 - Old Friends Not Forgotten
The beginning of Season 7's final arc and The Clone Wars series itself, Ahsoka and Bo-Katan ask for Anakin and Obi-Wan's help to remove Maul from Mandalore. And, while Obi-Wan and Anakin have the opening of Revenge of the Sith to get to, Anakin gives Ahsoka command of the 501st Clone Batallion for this mission.
This episode is Ahsoka's final exchange with Anakin prior to his Dark Side fall, and it reunites her with Captain Rex for the events of Order 66. Both of these plot points may be further explored in Ahsoka on Disney+.
It's also worth noting that this episode, and the remainder of the season, open with a red title card, just like Ahsoka.
8.) Season 7: Episode 10 - The Phantom Apprentice
While Bo-Katan and Rex attack Maul's Mandalorian faction, Maul reveals that Darth Sidious wants Anakin as his apprentice before he and Ahsoka engage in an epic lightsaber duel that ultimately leads to the Zabrak Sith's capture.
Ahsoka continues to be in denial about Anakin until Star Wars Rebels, and Rex and the clones' presence on Mandalore precedes of the planet's Imperial takeover, Moff Gideon's involvement, and The Mandalorian's reference to "The Night of a Thousand Tears."
9.) Season 7: Episode 11 - Shattered
With the Siege of Mandalore over, the Republic takes control of the planet alongside Bo-Katan while Ahsoka Tano and the 501st legion prepare to escort the captured Maul back to Coruscant.
During their journey, Palpatine executes Order 66, turning Rex and the clones against Ahsoka.
In addition to closing the Siege of Mandalore chapter and Bo-Katan's temporary victory, "Shattered" shows how Ahsoka survives Order 66 and how Rex's inhibitor chip is removed. In addition, archive recordings of Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, and Samuel L. Jackson were used in the episode.
10.) Season 7: Episode 12 - Victory and Death
With Rex's inhibitor chip removed, he and Ahsoka need to escape their crashing cruiser; and to do so, they're forced to fight against the other clones who had once been their friends.
Ahsoka and Rex survive and give the clones a proper burial before Ahsoka leaves one of her lightsabers behind.
The episode - and series ends - with Darth Vader later discovering Ahsoka's abandoned saber and left fans wondering about Rex and Ahsoka's future.
Did You Fight in the Clone Wars?
George Lucas has long been known for his masterful ability to world-build, something he did at length in the original Star Wars film. A New Hope laid the groundwork for what would eventually become The Clone Wars, as Obi-Wan Kenobi mentioned the conflict to an awed Luke Skywalker. Fans at the time hoped to learn more about the war, and Lucas eventually delivered when the technology existed to do so.
What few could have expected is how popular the series would become. The Clone Wars expanded significantly on the events of the prequel trilogy, fleshing out the tragic story of Anakin Skywalker while introducing new Star Wars icons in his Padawan Ahsoka Tano and the trusty clone Captain Rex. Eventually, the series took some wild turns, as Darth Maul was resurrected and Mandalore became a major planet over the course of seven seasons.
The timing of the official account's tweet is certainly interesting; perhaps Lucasfilm is taking the opportunity to plug the series after Hayden Christensen shared he had watched the show in preparation for Obi-Wan Kenobi. It's doubtful that the article's recent push is indicative of any imminent news regarding additional episodes for the show, but it can never hurt to give Clone Wars some love.
Evaluating the viewing order and series as a whole in 2022 makes for some interesting considerations. Even the final season was released out of order, as Ahsoka's walkabout arc takes place before the Bad Batch mission. There are roughly two and a half seasons worth of Clone Wars that still remain unfinished, and while many hope to one day see everything completed, the show as it stands comes to a satisfying conclusion.
The list could easily add the first two seasons of The Bad Batch and nothing would seem out of place, as that show is essentially a direct sequel to Clone Wars. How shows like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka connect to the show will be interesting to see, as streaming has offered a unique opportunity for further exploration of the conflict. With many of the characters making the jump from animation to live-action, The Clone Wars serves as the stepping stone into another larger world.
All seven seasons of Star Wars: The Clone Wars are available to stream on Disney+; new episodes of Ahsoka debut on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET.
STAR WARS Writer
