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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 American epic space opera film directed by J.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 American epic space opera film directed by J. J. Abrams. It is the ninth and final installment of the Skywalker saga and follows Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they face Emperor Palpatine and the First Order.

Plot

The film follows the Resistance as it confronts the revived Emperor Palpatine and the First Order while Rey continues her Jedi training. The story resolves major threads from the sequel trilogy and the wider Skywalker narrative.

Production

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was produced by Lucasfilm and Bad Robot and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. J. J. Abrams returned to direct after previously directing The Force Awakens.

Release and reception

The film premiered in theatres on December 20, 2019. It performed strongly at the box office but received mixed critical reception, with discussion focused on its storytelling choices and franchise closure.

Music

The score was composed by John Williams, continuing his long association with the Star Wars film series. The official soundtrack album was issued by Walt Disney Records on the film’s release date.

Key facts

  • It concludes the Star Wars sequel trilogy and the broader nine-film Skywalker saga.
  • The story centers on Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron leading the Resistance against Kylo Ren, the First Order, and the returned Emperor Palpatine.
  • J. J. Abrams directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio.
  • The film was released theatrically on December 20, 2019.
  • The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, according to IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canadian theatres on the same day as its North American debut and was part of a major franchise with a large Canadian fan base. Canadian box office figures are included within the North American gross reported in trade coverage.[4][11]

Frequently asked questions

What is Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?
It is a 2019 science-fiction adventure film and the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.
Who directed the film?
J. J. Abrams directed the film.
When was it released?
It was released in theatres on December 20, 2019.
What is the film about?
It follows Rey, Finn, and Poe as they lead the Resistance against Emperor Palpatine, Kylo Ren, and the First Order.
Who wrote the screenplay?
Chris Terrio and J. J. Abrams wrote the screenplay.
How did it perform commercially?
It grossed about US$1.074 billion worldwide and US$515.2 million in the United States and Canada.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Rise_of_Skywalker
    Supports: Basic film details, plot overview, release date, and soundtrack release date.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2527338/
    Supports: Director, writers, principal cast, and release year.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_the_rise_of_skywalker
    Supports: Release date, synopsis, runtime, distributor, genre, and box office.
  4. Yardbarker — https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_facts_you_might_not_know_about_the_rise_of_skywalker/s1__37679682
    Supports: Worldwide and U.S./Canada box office figures and mixed-reception context.