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Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) movie poster

Timeline

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2008 · 98 min · English
JustWatch #26,210 3
Directed by
Dave Filoni
Starring
Matt Lanter, Nika Futterman, Tom Kane

Amidst a galaxy engulfed in conflict, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano find themselves on a dangerous mission vital to the Galactic Republic’s survival. Their efforts are complicated by the schemes of crime lord Jabba the Hutt and the machinations of Count Dooku and Asajj Ventress. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda lead the Republic's forces in a desperate struggle against the escalating dark side threat, as the Clone Wars continue to ravage the galaxy.

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: The Clone Wars
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)

Where can you watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Disney Plus: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) 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. Clone Wars Narration

    The film begins with a narration that outlines the chaotic landscape of the Clone Wars. The opening is distinct from the traditional crawls, highlighting the dominance of the Separatists in various hyperspace lanes.

  2. Jabba's Son Abducted

    In a strategic move to align the Hutts with the Separatists, Jabba the Hutt's son, Rotta, is kidnapped. This abduction sets off a series of events that would challenge the Republic's ability to maintain control over crucial trade routes.

  3. Battle on Christophsis

    A fierce battle commences on the crystalline planet of Christophsis. The clone army, supported by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, initially gains an advantage against the Separatists but soon faces overwhelming odds.

    Where
    Christophsis
  4. Arrival of Ahsoka Tano

    Amidst the battle, Anakin and Obi-Wan receive an unexpected ally: a young Padawan named Ahsoka Tano. Dispatched by Master Yoda, her arrival adds a new dynamic to the Republic's fight against the Separatist forces.

    Where
    Christophsis
  5. Obi-Wan's Feign Surrender

    To buy time and turn the tide of battle, Obi-Wan feigns surrender during negotiations with the droid commander. This clever strategy allows the Republic’s forces time to regroup and reposition despite facing relentless assault.

    Where
    Christophsis
  6. Yoda's Briefing

    Following a hard-fought victory on Christophsis, Yoda arrives to brief the Jedi about the importance of securing Jabba's allegiance. He emphasizes the urgency of recovering Jabba's son to maintain access to critical trade routes.

    Where
    Jedi Temple
  7. Mission to Teth

    Tasked with recovering Rotta, Anakin and Ahsoka embark on a mission to the planet Teth. Their objective becomes more urgent as they discover that Rotta is in poor health and needs immediate medical help.

    Where
    Teth
  8. Count Dooku's Trap

    Anakin and Ahsoka's rescue mission quickly turns into a trap set by Count Dooku. The villain aims to frame the Jedi for Rotta's kidnapping, further complicating Republic negotiations with Jabba.

    Where
    Teth
  9. Escape from Dooku

    In a bid for freedom, Anakin, Ahsoka, and R2-D2 manage to escape Dooku's clutches. They commandeer a derelict transport ship and begin their dangerous journey toward Tatooine to deliver Rotta safely.

    Where
    Teth
  10. Obi-Wan vs. Ventress

    Back on Christophsis, Obi-Wan confronts Asajj Ventress in a dramatic lightsaber duel. Just as Ventress is about to be captured, she retreats, but not before boosting the morale of the clone troops.

    Where
    Christophsis
  11. Senator Padmé's Concerns

    Senator Padmé Amidala grows worried about Anakin's safety and reaches out to Jabba's uncle, Ziro. Initially defiant, Ziro discloses his allegiance to Dooku, leading to a conspiracy against his own family.

    Where
    Coruscant
  12. C-3PO's Call for Help

    Caught in a web of betrayal, Padmé cleverly uses a call from C-3PO to signal for assistance against Ziro. This strategic move ultimately results in Ziro's arrest, showcasing her resourcefulness.

    Where
    Coruscant
  13. Arrival on Tatooine

    Anakin and Ahsoka touch down on Tatooine only to find themselves immediately under attack. They crash-land and face the harsh environment while being pursued by enemies, showcasing their resilience.

    Where
    Tatooine
  14. Decoy Plan

    In a bold gambit, Anakin confronts Dooku while brandishing a decoy of Rotta. This diversion allows Ahsoka and R2-D2 to safely transport the real Rotta to Jabba's palace, progressing their mission.

    Where
    Tatooine
  15. Jabba's Deal

    After successfully returning Rotta to Jabba, Anakin and Ahsoka face execution due to Dooku's manipulations. However, an intervention from Padmé provides evidence of treachery, leading Jabba to strike a deal with the Republic.

    Where
    Jabba's Palace

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 16:00

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Timeline questions answered

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Count Dooku kidnap Jabba's son?

Count Dooku orchestrated Rotta's kidnapping to convince Jabba the Hutt to join the Separatist cause. By framing the Jedi for the abduction, Dooku intended to turn Jabba against the Republic and secure the Hutt's support for the Confederacy. This would give Separatists access through Jabba's crucial trade routes in the Outer Rim.

  • count dooku
  • rotta
  • hutt
  • separatists
  • kidnap
Q2

Why did Ziro the Hutt help the Separatists?

Ziro conspired with Count Dooku because he wanted to take control of the Hutt clans for himself. Rather than supporting his nephew Jabba, Ziro plotted to overthrow him and become the leader of the Hutt crime family. His betrayal was driven by personal ambition and a desire for power.

  • ziro
  • hutt
  • jabba
  • conspiracy
  • dooku
Q3

How did Anakin and Ahsoka escape from Dooku's trap on Teth?

After discovering Dooku had set a trap for them, Anakin and Ahsoka managed to break free from captivity and commandeered a derelict transport ship. They fled Teth with Rotta and R2-D2, using the ship to travel to Tatooine while evading Separatist pursuit.

  • anakin
  • ahsoka
  • dooku
  • escape
  • teth
  • transport
Q4

Why did Obi-Wan feign surrender during the battle on Christophsis?

Obi-Wan pretended to surrender to the droid commander as a tactical maneuver to buy time for the Republic's clone forces. While engaged in negotiations, the clone army was able to regroup and reposition for a counterattack, ultimately helping secure victory on Christophsis.

  • obi-wan
  • christophsis
  • surrender
  • tactic
  • battle
Q5

Why was it important for the Republic to secure Jabba's allegiance?

Master Yoda emphasized that gaining Jabba's support was critical because it would give the Republic unimpeded access through his trade routes in the Outer Rim. With the Separatists controlling most hyperspace lanes, these routes were essential for moving troops and supplies across the galaxy.

  • jabba
  • alliance
  • trade routes
  • outer rim
  • republic
Q6

Why did Ahsoka need to treat Rotta during the mission?

When Anakin and Ahsoka discovered Rotta at the monastery on Teth, the young Hutt was sick and in poor health. Ahsoka used medical supplies from their stolen transport ship to provide emergency treatment, keeping Rotta alive long enough to return him to Jabba.

  • ahsoka
  • rotta
  • sick
  • medical
  • treatment
Q7

How did Padmé prove Ziro's betrayal to Jabba?

After discovering Ziro's conspiracy with Dooku, Padmé was initially captured but cleverly used a call from C-3PO to signal for help. She presented evidence of Ziro's treachery to Jabba, proving that his own uncle had plotted against him to help the Separatists.

  • padme
  • ziro
  • jabba
  • evidence
  • treachery
Q8

Why did Asajj Ventress retreat from her fight with Obi-Wan?

During their lightsaber duel on Christophsis, Ventress was about to be captured by Obi-Wan when she chose to retreat. While the exact reason isn't fully explained in the film, her retreat allowed her to escape capture and continue serving Dooku and the Separatists.

  • ventress
  • obi-wan
  • retreat
  • capture
  • duel
Q9

Why did Jabba order the execution of Anakin and Ahsoka?

After Anakin and Ahsoka successfully returned Rotta to Jabba, the Hutt was still misled by Count Dooku's false evidence claiming the Jedi had kidnapped his son. Believing the Jedi were responsible for Rotta's abduction, Jabba ordered their execution before Padmé arrived with proof of Ziro's treachery.

  • jabba
  • execution
  • jedi
  • dooku
  • false evidence
Q10

Why was Ahsoka Tano assigned to help Anakin?

Master Yoda dispatched Ahsoka Tano to assist Anakin Skywalker during the battle on Christophsis. Yoda recognized that Anakin needed a Padawan to complete his Jedi training, and Ahsoka's assignment was part of her own development as a young Jedi learner under Anakin's mentorship.

  • ahsoka
  • anakin
  • yoda
  • padawan
  • assignment

Movie threads

More Movies Like Star Wars: The Clone Wars, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Star Wars: The Clone Wars tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Epic Sci-Fi War Stories like Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Stories of galactic-scale conflict where the fate of civilizations hangs in the balance. Explore movies like Star Wars: The Clone Wars that feature large-scale galactic conflicts. If you enjoyed the epic space battles, high-stakes diplomacy, and heroic struggle against a dark threat, you'll find similar thrilling sci-fi adventures here.

  • epic scale
  • tense
  • action-packed
  • heroic
  • urgent
  • large-scale conflict
  • Tone: tense, heroic, urgent
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically involve a sprawling conflict between a well-defined 'good' faction and a powerful 'evil' force. The plot is driven by critical missions, strategic battles, and political maneuvering, often following multiple characters across different fronts of the war, culminating in a decisive victory or setback.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a war of galactic proportions, fast-paced action sequences, tense atmosphere, and a hopeful, heroic core despite the high intensity of the conflict. They deliver an urgent, action-packed experience.

Heroic Mentor and Apprentice Stories like Star Wars: The Clone Wars

A seasoned hero and their protégé face danger together on a high-stakes quest. Find movies like Star Wars: The Clone Wars that center on the dynamic between a master and apprentice on a dangerous mission. If you liked the teamwork of Anakin and Ahsoka, discover other films featuring heroic duos facing high-stakes challenges.

  • heroic duo
  • master and apprentice
  • urgent mission
  • tense
  • determined
  • teamwork
  • Tone: tense, determined, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, mission-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a duo, often with a master-apprentice dynamic, as they are assigned a crucial objective. The journey tests their partnership, with the mentor guiding the apprentice through challenges that force rapid growth. The success of their mission is pivotal to the overarching plot.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their focus on a central heroic partnership, the 'master and apprentice' character dynamic, and a mission-driven plot that creates tension and highlights camaraderie. The pacing is fast, driven by the urgency of the mission.

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Every angle

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Star Wars: The Clone Wars in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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