Well, strap in and set S-foils to attack position, because Star Wars fans are jumping into hyperspace with excitement for “Star Wars: Starfighter.” This 2027 film, starring Ryan Gosling (that’s right, Ken from Barbie has made the jump to lightspeed), has already kicked up a nebula’s worth of buzz. Die-hards and new recruits alike are scouring holonets for prime episodes, arcs, and comics that will prep them for the high-flying thrills headed their way. So, why not craft your own binge flight plan? You’ve got plenty of time until May 28, 2027 — a perfect window to (re)discover every dogfight, victory roll, and cockpit meltdown the Star Wars galaxy has ever offered.
Let’s dive into a curated, punchy binge guide — from Anakin flipping Vulture droids to Hera Syndulla barrel-rolling through Lothal. Watch these, and your starfighter knowledge will hit top ace status faster than a podracer on Boonta Eve.
What’s the Plot Fuel for ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’?
First, let’s clear the air. Lucasfilm hasn’t dished out everything about this new film, but director Shawn Levy (the “Stranger Things” and “Deadpool 3” guy) seeks to inject a dose of kinetic action and heart. The story sits around five years after “The Rise of Skywalker,” so that means the galaxy isn’t entirely at peace yet. Forget lazy Sundays on Naboo — everyone’s favorite X-wings and TIEs are back in the spotlight.
Social chatter from the Celebration Japan 2025 panel points to a storyline about hotshot pilots from clashing worlds. Gosling reportedly plays a rebellious ace pulled into a cosmic crisis. Rumors even swirl of cameos from Resistance and First Order veterans, but those stay locked in the hangar for now.
So, what better way to gear up than revisiting every single battle-scarred astromech and turbo-laser-pocked hull from canon Star Wars TV? Let’s go.
Beginner’s Launchpad: Starfighter Foundations in ‘The Clone Wars’
No serious starfighter binge kicks off without “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Yes, the show’s got politics, clones, and a certain tragic Chosen One, but it also features ship-to-ship duels that’ll glue you to your seat.
Essential Arcs to Watch:
- Season 2, Episode 20 – “Death Trap”
Meet young Boba Fett in a rather sour mood as he joins a cadet starfighter patrol. It’s more than just revenge on Mace Windu; through this episode, you catch the claustrophobic anxiety of life (and death) in a cockpit. It’s atmospheric, tense, and full of surprises. Also, you get to see how easy it is for rookies — or a vengeful bounty hunter — to poke holes in Republic security. Vital stuff if you love stories about the human element (or, you know, clones).
- Season 5, Episodes 2-5 – The Onderon Arc
Forward to Onderon, where rookie Rebels like Saw Gerrera (recognize the name from “Rogue One” and “Andor”?) first learn the ropes. Here, you won’t just see Jedi swinging sabers — you get guerilla warfare, urban swoop-bike chases, and quick-hit starfighter attacks. This arc throws you headlong into what resistance flying and hit-and-run dogfights actually look like, especially when the odds are grim.
- Season 7, Episodes 9-12 – The Siege of Mandalore
Buckle up, because this finale arc is as dramatic as it gets. Ground, air, and everything in between intermingle. You follow Ahsoka and Clones racing to liberate Mandalore — while explosive gunship runs rip overhead. The action is relentless and the pilots (and their ships) don’t all come home. Plus, the coordination between air and ground forces offers a masterclass in strategy that’d make any fleet commander proud.
But don’t just pause there. The “Clone Wars” universe bristles with one-off starfighter missions and tense airborne maneuvers. The show’s deep bench of pilots — from Jedi to cadets to droid brains — means there’s no shortage of reckless bravery and close calls.
Strapping In With Rebels: The Ghost Crew and Their Wings
Fast-forward a couple decades and you hit the era of “Star Wars Rebels.” No show paints the highs and heartbreaks of rebel piloting quite like this one. As the Empire tightens its grip, the stakes — and the starfighter tech — get serious.
Check Out These Key Episodes:
- Season 1, Episode 10 – “Path of the Jedi”
This episode isn’t just about Jedi stuff. Ezra’s trial includes piloting challenges that force him to trust the Force — literally — to dodge danger. For future Aces, this one brings home how intuition and instincts can mean the difference between becoming space dust and living to fly another day.
- Season 2, Episode 6 – “Wings of the Master”
Hera Syndulla (arguably the galaxy’s best pilot, sorry Han fans) goes on a wild ride to test the prototype B-Wing starfighter. Sabine’s paint job isn’t the only upgrade — the B-Wing’s radical design will make any tech nerd drool. If you like the idea of “ugly duckling turns swan, then mows down Star Destroyers,” don’t skip this.
- Season 3, Episode 10 – “An Inside Man”
Espionage! Secret factories! Imperial traitors! The Ghost crew risks everything to expose the TIE Defender project. Unlike your standard TIE, the Defender comes equipped with shields (finally) and packs an iron punch. This episode shows how quickly the tides turn when the Empire gets creative — and how rebels must match them stroke-for-stroke.
- Season 4, Episode 9 – “Rebel Assault”
Hera launches a bold, near-suicidal aerial assault on Lothal. Starfighters swoop, crash, and struggle against overwhelming Imperial firepower. This ep reminds everyone: space battles aren’t tidy, and sometimes, not everyone gets to fly home. Hera’s grit makes it unforgettable.
The crew of the Ghost brings heart, skill, and a dash of reckless hope to every dogfight. “Star Wars Rebels” also charts the development of iconic ships like the X-Wing, B-Wing, and TIE Defender — and showcases how those starfighter designs tip the scales in battles that shake the galaxy.
Chasing Panels: Essential Starfighter Comics
While you’re raiding streaming services, don’t forget comics are stacked with behind-the-cockpit drama. Let’s cut right to the best of the best:
- Poe Dameron (Marvel, 2016-2019)
This entire run feels like Top Gun with a bit more sarcasm and a lot more droid banter. Poe leads the legendary Black Squadron, and you see everything from deadly dogfights to tense search-and-rescue missions. Plus, it’s filled with clever Resistance tech upgrades and new villainous pilots to snarl at.
- Star Wars (2015-2019, especially Issues 38-43)
These issues focus heavily on post-“A New Hope” Rebels, putting Luke, Wedge, and Leia in the thick of constant starfighter skirmishes. Want a refresher on Red Squadron X-wing tactics? Look here.
- Tie Fighter (Marvel, 2019)
If you root for the “bad guys” or just want to see the war from both sides, this limited series tracks the elite Shadow Wing TIE squadron. Fearless flying meets moral dilemmas.
Be sure to grab digital copies or hit your local comic shop, because these stories are canon and sometimes tie directly into TV or movie arcs.
Don’t Skip These Starfighter Moments
If you’re looking for even more “fast & furious in space” moments, don’t sleep on these iconic flights from across the Star Wars visual universe:
- “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” – Watch for Tech’s wild piloting. Those clones don’t mess around in a pinch.
- “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” – Witness the nail-biting Battle of Scarif. That’s how you wedge a U-Wing into the starfighter all-star club.
- “Star Wars: Resistance” – The Fireball and Ace Squadron bring a neon-soaked twist to classic dogfights.
And, of course, always keep an eye out for the Millennium Falcon’s next escape — wherever and whenever it appears, chaos is sure to follow.
Starfighter Tech: A Quick Refresher
It’s not just about having a heavy trigger finger. The best pilots tweak, hack, and soup up their ships at every turn. Here’s a cheat sheet in case “Starfighter” throws technical jargon your way:
- X-Wing: The all-star — balanced speed, firepower, shields.
- TIE Fighter: Fast, fragile, no shields. Just pure adrenaline and faith.
- B-Wing: Heavy gunship, not cute but deadly in the right hands.
- TIE Defender: Basically, the Empire cheats and adds shields and heavy guns.
- U-Wing: Troop/supply support, doubling as a gunship.
- Y-Wing: Old but reliable, the favorite for heavy bombing runs.
Through “Clone Wars”, “Rebels”, and the latest comics, you see these ships pushed to their limits — that’s likely what Shawn Levy’s new film will obsess over too.
Preflight Checklist: Final Thoughts Before Takeoff
Here’s the best part about prepping for “Star Wars: Starfighter”—every wild loop, engine burnout, and last-second rescue across TV and comics adds layers of context. And with Gosling in the lead, rumor says we’re looking at a new crop of scrappy pilots who mix bits of Han, Hera, and Poe all at once. The series and comics you rewatch now may just drop some “Aha!” moments once the opening crawl rolls in theaters.
So fire up that Disney+ account. Dust off those comics. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran of ten-thousand rewatches, you’re about to earn your wings all over again. Who knows? By the time Gosling climbs into his cockpit, you might just call a few plot twists before they even happen. May your shields hold and your snacks stay close. All wings report in — prep for launch!
