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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) movie poster

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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1977 · 121 min · English
JustWatch #4,431 51
Directed by
George Lucas
Starring
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford
Budget
$11M

In a galaxy far, far away, Princess Leia, a leader in the Rebel Alliance, is captured by the evil Galactic Empire. A desperate mission is launched to rescue her, drawing in a resourceful smuggler named Han Solo and the farm boy Luke Skywalker. They join forces to infiltrate the Empire's battle station, the Death Star, and deliver vital plans to the Rebellion, while facing dangerous adversaries and uncovering a powerful connection between Luke and the Force.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Where can you watch Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Disney Plus, Amazon Video and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Rebel Alliance's Hidden Base

    Amidst a galactic civil war, the Rebel Alliance continues to operate from a hidden base. They have been successfully securing victories against the tyrannical Galactic Empire, hoping to restore freedom to the galaxy.

  2. Plans Stolen

    Rebel spies manage to steal vital plans for the Death Star, a massive space station capable of obliterating entire planets. Imperial Senator Leia Organa, who secretly leads the Rebellion, races home with the crucial schematics to aid the Alliance.

  3. Imperial Interception

    Leia's ship is intercepted and boarded by an Imperial Star Destroyer commanded by Darth Vader. Despite the imminent threat, Leia successfully inserts the stolen plans into her droid R2-D2 before being captured.

  4. Escape Pod Crash

    R2-D2 and C-3PO escape in an escape pod and crash on the desert planet of Tatooine. They are pursued by Stormtroopers sent by Darth Vader, determined to retrieve the plans.

    Where
    Tatooine
  5. Captured by Jawas

    The droids are captured by Jawa traders who sell them to moisture farmers Owen and Beru Lars. The droids are taken into their home, where they meet their nephew, Luke Skywalker, who is intrigued by the droids and their message.

    Where
    Tatooine
  6. Message from Leia

    While cleaning R2-D2, Luke discovers a recording from Leia seeking help from Obi-Wan Kenobi. This ignites Luke's interest in the Rebellion and leads him to seek out the hermit, Ben Kenobi, who lives nearby.

    Where
    Tatooine
  7. Encounter with Obi-Wan

    Luke is attacked by Sand People, but is rescued by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan reveals his past as a Jedi and informs Luke about the Force and the fate of the Jedi Order, igniting Luke's desire for adventure.

    Where
    Tatooine
  8. Journey to Mos Eisley

    Luke and Obi-Wan travel to Mos Eisley to find a way off Tatooine. There, they meet smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca, who agree to help them in exchange for a hefty payment.

    Where
    Mos Eisley
  9. Boarding the Millennium Falcon

    After a confrontation with bounty hunter Greedo, Han Solo takes Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids on the Millennium Falcon. As they escape Tatooine, they are pursued by Stormtroopers but manage to jump to light speed.

    Where
    Tatooine
  10. Death Star Activation

    Onboard the Death Star, Grand Moff Tarkin informs his commanders about the dissolution of the Imperial Senate. As they prepare to show the galaxy their powerful weapon, Darth Vader interrogates Leia for the rebel base's location.

    Where
    Death Star
  11. Alderaan's Destruction

    Despite Leia's pleas, Moff Tarkin destroys Alderaan using the Death Star's laser to demonstrate its power. This devastating act solidifies the Empire's tyranny, which deeply affects Luke and Leia.

    Where
    Alderaan
  12. Infiltrating the Death Star

    The Falcon is captured by the Death Star's tractor beam. Luke, Han, and Chewbacca disguise themselves as Stormtroopers to rescue Leia while Obi-Wan works to disable the tractor beam and avoid detection.

    Where
    Death Star
  13. Obi-Wan's Sacrifice

    In a dramatic confrontation, Obi-Wan sacrifices himself during a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader. His selfless act allows Luke and the others to escape, but his loss weighs heavily on Luke's heart.

    Where
    Death Star
  14. Attack on the Death Star

    With the Death Star's weakness discovered, the Rebel forces prepare for an assault. Luke joins the X-wing squadron, determined to find a way to destroy the station and avenge the loss of his home.

    Where
    Yavin IV
  15. Triumph Over Evil

    Guided by Obi-Wan's spirit, Luke successfully fires torpedoes into the Death Star's exhaust port, causing a chain reaction that destroys the station. The Rebels celebrate their hard-fought victory as Leia awards them medals for their bravery.

    Where
    Yavin IV

Last updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

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Timeline questions answered

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Obi-Wan let Vader strike him down?

Obi-Wan deliberately allows Vader to kill him because he understands his death will serve a greater purpose. By becoming one with the Force at the moment of his death, Obi-Wan can later guide Luke as a powerful spirit. His sacrifice also distracts Vader and the Stormtroopers, giving Luke, Han, and Leia time to escape the Death Star. Obi-Wan knew he could not defeat Vader in combat, but his sacrifice transformed his defeat into a strategic victory.

Foreshadowing: Obi-Wan had previously told Luke that the Force flows through all living beings and that death is merely a transformation into something greater.

  • obi-wan kenobi sacrifice
  • vader
  • darth vader
  • death star
  • lightsaber duel
  • jedi
Q2

How do the Rebels find the Death Star's weakness?

The Rebels analyze the stolen Death Star plans that Leia carried in R2-D2. While examining the technical schematics, they discover a small thermal exhaust port located near the main reactor. This port is directly connected to the reactor system, and the Rebels realize that a precise torpedo shot down this narrow channel could trigger a chain reaction that would destroy the entire station.

Foreshadowing: The plans themselves, stolen by Rebel spies in the opening scenes, contain all the technical details needed to identify this vulnerability.

  • death star plans
  • exhaust port
  • rebellion
  • x-wing
  • torpedo
  • reactor
Q3

Why does Luke turn off his targeting computer during the attack?

Luke turns off his targeting computer because Obi-Wan had been training him in the ways of the Force. During the dogfight, Luke hears Obi-Wan's voice telling him to trust the Force and let go of relying on technology. Luke closes his eyes, uses the Force to guide his aim, and successfully fires torpedoes into the exhaust port. This moment represents Luke's transformation from a simple farm boy to a true Jedi.

Foreshadowing: Obi-Wan had been teaching Luke to feel the Force and trust his instincts during the journey to Alderaan.

  • targeting computer
  • force
  • x-wing
  • death star run
  • obi-wan guidance
  • jedi training
Q4

Why does Vader let Luke escape during the Death Star battle?

Vader deliberately allows Luke to escape because he recognizes something familiar in the young pilot. When Vader senses Luke's presence in the trench, he realizes this may be his old enemy Obi-Wan's student. Vader wants to capture Luke alive, believing he could turn the young pilot to the dark side and learn the location of the hidden Rebel base. His desire to turn Luke to the dark side overrides his tactical judgment in that moment.

Foreshadowing: Vader's earlier revelation to Luke about being his father creates the emotional foundation for this decision.

  • darth vader
  • luke skywalker
  • death star trench
  • tie fighter
  • escape
Q5

Why does Han Solo come back to help during the battle?

Han Solo initially leaves because he has received his payment and wants to avoid dying in what seems like a hopeless battle. However, after seeing the X-wings suffer heavy losses and remembering Obi-Wan's words about there being more at stake than just money, Han has a change of heart. He turns his ship around and attacks the Imperial TIE fighters, driving them away from Luke and giving him the clear shot needed to destroy the Death Star.

Foreshadowing: Obi-Wan had told Han that the Force surrounds everyone and that Han had a kindness in him that Luke's father had noted.

  • han solo
  • chewbacca
  • millennium falcon
  • tie fighters
  • x-wing
  • rebels victory
Q6

Why does Tarkin destroy Alderaan instead of using it as leverage?

Grand Moff Tarkin destroys Alderaan to demonstrate the Death Star's overwhelming power to the entire galaxy. By annihilating Leia's home planet in an instant, Tarkin aims to crush the Rebellion's spirit and show that no world is beyond the Empire's reach. The destruction is meant to serve as a terror tactic to intimidate all potential rebels into submission. Tarkin believes this brutal demonstration will prevent any future resistance.

Foreshadowing: Tarkin had earlier announced the dissolution of the Imperial Senate, signaling his intent to rule through fear and absolute power.

  • grand Moff tarkin
  • alderaan
  • destroyed
  • death star laser
  • leia organa
  • terror tactic
Q7

Why does Leia put the Death Star plans in R2-D2 instead of transmitting them?

Leia entrusts the plans to R2-D2 because her ship is about to be boarded by Imperial forces. She transmits a portion of the message to R2-D2 as a backup, knowing that droids are less likely to be searched thoroughly than a living person. R2-D2's small size and status as a simple protocol droid make him an ideal covert carrier. The droids escape in an escape pod, successfully evading detection by the Stormtroopers.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene establishes that the Empire is actively searching for the stolen plans, making covert transport necessary.

  • r2-d2
  • death star plans
  • leia
  • escape pod
  • imperial
  • transmission
Q8

Why does Luke decide to leave Tatooine after his aunt and uncle die?

Luke decides to leave Tatooine because the Imperial Stormtroopers have now directly threatened his family and killed his aunt and uncle while searching for the droids. This tragedy removes the last thing holding him back from pursuing his destiny. Additionally, Luke had already been contemplating leaving after seeing Leia's message and hearing about the Rebellion. The deaths convince him that he must join the fight against the Empire.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Luke expresses his desire to leave Tatooine and his frustration with his uncle's refusal to let him go.

  • luke skywalker
  • tatooine
  • uncle owen
  • aunt beru
  • imperial stormtroopers
  • death
Q9

What is the Force and why does it matter in the story?

The Force is an energy field that binds all living things together in the galaxy. It can be harnessed by those who are sensitive to it, granting abilities like telekinesis, mind control, and precognition. Obi-Wan explains that the Force gives Jedi their power and connects all life. For Luke, learning to trust the Force becomes essential to defeating the Empire, representing the spiritual and mystical side of the conflict beyond mere technology.

Foreshadowing: Obi-Wan mentions that the Jedi used to be peacekeepers before the dark times, establishing the Force's historical significance.

  • the force
  • jedi
  • obi-wan kenobi
  • energy field
  • lightsaber
  • galaxy
Q10

Why does Han Solo agree to help after initially refusing?

Han Solo initially refuses to transport Luke and Obi-Wan because the payment seems insufficient given the dangerous destination. However, after a confrontation with bounty hunter Greedo forces Han's hand, and Obi-Wan offers to pay a generous sum himself. Additionally, Obi-Wan uses the Force to persuade Greedo, making Han more willing to trust this strange old man. Han's need for quick escape from Jabba the Hutt's bounty hunters also motivates his decision.

Foreshadowing: Obi-Wan senses that Han is trustworthy despite his rough exterior, reflecting his ability to read people through the Force.

  • han solo
  • mos eisley
  • millennium falcon
  • jabba hutt
  • greedo
  • payment

Movie threads

More Movies Like Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Epic Underdog Adventure Movies like Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Heroic journeys where an unlikely group takes on a massive evil force. If you loved the grand scale and heroic quest in Star Wars, explore more movies like it. These films feature similar stories of rebellion against evil empires, daring missions, and classic good-versus-evil battles in expansive worlds, delivering fast-paced, hopeful, and triumphant adventures.

  • epic
  • heroic
  • triumphant
  • adventurous
  • tense
  • hopeful
  • Tone: hopeful, heroic, triumphant
  • Pacing: fast, action-packed
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a classic heroic arc, beginning with a call to adventure that propels an ordinary individual or a small group into a conflict far larger than themselves. The narrative centers on a clear, urgent goal—often a desperate mission or a last stand—that requires courage, unity, and sacrifice to achieve a decisive, uplifting victory against a tyrannical foe.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core experience of epic-scale heroism. They combine fast pacing with high intensity, a fundamentally hopeful tone, and a narrative focus on underdogs achieving the impossible, creating a consistently exciting and satisfying viewing experience.

Found Family Adventure Movies like Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Stories where strangers become a loyal family through shared peril. Fans of the dynamic between Luke, Han, and Leia will enjoy these movies like Star Wars. These stories focus on groups of unlikely allies who form powerful bonds while on dangerous missions, blending action, character-driven humor, and heartfelt moments of camaraderie.

  • found family
  • adventurous
  • loyalty
  • dangerous
  • heartfelt
  • teamwork
  • Tone: hopeful, adventurous, heartfelt
  • Pacing: fast, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves assembling a team with diverse skills and personalities to achieve a critical objective. The central conflict is external—completing the mission—but the heart of the story is the internal development of the group's relationships. Initial distrust or conflict gives way to mutual respect and deep loyalty, with the "family" solidifying through shared challenges and sacrifices.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their focus on the powerful theme of found family forged in adventure. They balance medium emotional weight with high-intensity action, creating a compelling mix of thrilling set pieces and meaningful character connections that resonate with audiences.

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Every angle

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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