With just over a month until the new Obi-Wan show premiers on Disney+, you still have time for a quick rewatch of Kenobi’s story so far. Whether you’re a long-time Star Wars fan or new to the fandom, here is everything you need to watch before Obi-Wan Kenobi.
With nearly a dozen movies, seven tv shows, and an endless list of books and comics, the entire Star Wars universe is really large. The Clones Wars series itself is seven seasons long with more than 66 hours of episodes. To keep this watch list as short as possible, it focuses on the most important parts of Obi-Wan’s life.
Spoiler Warning: Our descriptions contain potential spoilers about the movies and episodes. If you want to stay spoiler free, skip to our spoiler-free list of what to watch.
What Should You Watch Before Starting Obi-Wan Kenobi?
1. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
The Phantom Menace is the first introduction to Obi-Wan Kenobi outside the glimpse we got in the Original Trilogy. Just 17 years old, we see Obi-Wan interacting with his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, and how he meets Anakin Skywalker.
2. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
Attack of the Clones sets the foundation of Obi-Wan and Anakin’s relationship as both master and apprentice and as friends, if not brothers. It also offers a better understanding of the Jedi Order and the Republic. Plus, it sets up the Clone Wars.
3. The Clone Wars: The Mandalore Arc (Season 2, Episodes 12, 13, & 14)
The Mandalore arc in Season 2 sets up one of the most complicated relationships in Obi-Wan’s life. After protecting Mandalorian Duchess Staine Kryze years earlier, he returns to save her from the Mandalorian splinter faction Death Watch.
Although not directly relevant to Kenobi’s story, there is a second Mandalore arc in Season 3 that tells more of Satine’s story. If you have the time, consider watching Season 3, Episodes 5 and 6 immediately after this arc.
4. The Clone Wars: The Secrets of Mortis Arc (Season 3, Episodes 15, 16, & 17)
Considered one of the best story arcs in The Clone Wars, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka meet a mysterious family with a strange connection to the Force. Together the Jedi encounter unexpected challenges and have to face truths about their potential futures. For Obi-Wan, this means learning that he will fail Anakin.
5. The Clone Wars: The Obi-Wan Undercover Arc (Season 4, Episodes 15, 16, 17, & 18)
One of Obi-Wan’s most difficult missions during the Clone Wars, he fakes his own death to go undercover as notorious bounty hunter Rako Hardeen. Kenobi has to fight his Jedi training to keep his cover and stop a plot to kidnap the Chancellor.
6. The Clone Wars: The Darth Maul Returns Arc (Season 4, Episodes 19, 20, 21, & 22)
In a surprise twist, Darth Maul is still alive. Fueled by his need for revenge, Maul survived for a decade. After being rescued by his brother and restored by the Nightsisters, he sets his sights on Obi-Wan. In order to survive Maul’s attack, Kenobi turns to an unlikely ally for help.
Unless you are short on time, consider watching the Witches and Monsters arc in Season 3, Episodes 12, 13, and 14 first. While it does not deal with Kenobi, it introduces characters and provides relevant backstory to the Darth Maul Returns arc.
7. The Clone Wars: The Shadow Collective Arc (Season 5, Episodes 1, 14, 15, & 16)
Still set on revenge, Maul forges an alliance with Death Watch and the criminal underworld. Using Death Watch as his personal army, Maul invades Mandalore and captures Duchess Satine. As an unexpected consequence, he attracts Obi-Wan’s attention.
8. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
In Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan must face off against his former apprentice in an attempt to save the galaxy. Anakin’s fall to the dark side and the destruction of the Jedi Order leave a lasting impact on Kenobi and may give us a glimpse of what to expect from the character in the Obi-Wan series.
List of What to Watch Before You Start Obi-Wan Kenobi
Before you start Obi-Wan Kenobi, you should watch the Prequel Trilogy and 21 episodes of The Clone Wars. Altogether, there are about 16 hours of content about Obi-Wan that could relate to the new series on Disney+. If you are in a rush, you can cut out five episodes of The Clone Wars and save about 90 minutes.
| Film or Show and Episode | Timeline | Runtime (minutes) | |
| Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | 32 BBY | 136 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones | 22 BBY | 142 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 2 Episode 12 “The Mandalore Plot” | 21 BBY | 24 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 2 Episode 13 “Voyage of Temptation” | 21 BBY | 25 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 2 Episode 14 “Duchess of Mandalore” | 21 BBY | 24 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 3 Episode 5 “Corruption” | 21 BBY | 22 | Optional |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 3 Episode 6 “The Academy” | 21 BBY | 22 | Optional |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 3 Episode 12 “Nightsisters” | 20 BBY | 25 | Optional |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 3 Episode 13 “Monster” | 20 BBY | 25 | Optional |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 3 Episode 14 “Witches of the Mist” | 20 BBY | 25 | Optional |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 3 Episode 15 “Overlords” | 20 BBY | 25 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 3 Episode 16 “Altar of Mortis” | 20 BBY | 25 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 3 Episode 17 “Ghosts of Mortis” | 20 BBY | 24 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 4 Episode 15 “Deception” | 20 BBY | 25 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 4 Episode 16 “Friends and Enemies” | 20 BBY | 25 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 4 Episode 17 “The Box” | 20 BBY | 24 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 4 Episode 18 “Crisis on Naboo” | 20 BBY | 24 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 4 Episode 21 “Brothers” | 20 BBY | 23 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 4 Episode 22 “Revenge” | 20 BBY | 25 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 5 Episode 1 “Revival” | 20 or 19 BBY | 25 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 5 Episode 14 “Eminence” | 19 BBY | 25 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 5 Episode 15 “Shades of Reason” | 19 BBY | 26 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 5 Episode 16 “The Lawless” | 19 BBY | 26 | Recommended |
| Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | 19 BBY | 140 | Recommended |
Since Obi-Wan Kenobi is set about ten years before A New Hope, it’s not a must-watch to understand the new series. However, you can watch all of the Original Trilogy if you want. All the Star Wars movies and The Clone Wars episodes are streaming now on Disney+.
You may also want to read the Master & Apprentice novel and the five-issue Star Wars: Obi-Wan and Anakin comic book series. While they are available from many bookstores, check your local library first. Free apps like Libby and Hoopla allow you to check out books, comics, and even audiobooks.
Want to Know How the Saga Between Maul and Obi-Wan Ends?
A good portion of this watch list deals with the saga between Maul and Obi-Wan, but it does not conclude that story. To find out how their storyline ends, you need to watch the “Twin Suns” episode of Rebels.
While you will miss out on parts of Maul’s history, it is a stand-alone episode you can watch without having seen the rest of the series. “Twin Suns,” Season 3, Episode 20 of Star Wars: Rebels, is available on Disney+.
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A lifelong Star Wars geek, his earliest memories are playing with Kenner action figures while watching the Original Trilogy on VHS. Aside from keeping up with the latest Star Wars content, he enjoys living out his own Star Wars story at Galaxy’s Edge East.
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