The Mandalorian and Grogu, the latest galactic blockbuster, is just around the corner. While new Star Wars movies might not be the earth-shattering event they were in the past, they're still undeniably a really big deal.

Still, it's harder than ever before to start your adventure in a galaxy far, far away. There are nearly five decades of stories to parse through, spanning movies, TV shows and books. The Mandalorian and Grogu (which will be released on May 22) is no doubt going to be shaped by the stories that came before it, even if it just touches on older characters and in-universe happenings.

Whether you're a new fan figuring out where to start or a Star Wars vet preparing to rerun your favorites ahead of The Mandalorian and Grogu, we've got your back with a detailed list of the movies and TV shows you need to watch. As a certain helmeted bounty hunter would say: "This is the way."

The galactic essentials

Watching these shows is the bare minimum for understanding who the main characters are in the new movies and for providing context for the next adventure in the Star Wars universe. This list is organized chronologically, so you won't miss out on any important events.

The Mandalorian seasons 1 and 2

When The Mandalorian was first released in 2019, the space western sensation was a breath of fresh air for the stagnating Star Wars franchise. It was a show content with doing its own thing rather than looping in legacy characters every episode. These seasons introduce the titular bounty hunter, the Mandalorian warrior Din Djarin, as well as the force-sensitive child Grogu (though you may know him as "baby Yoda" through cultural osmosis).

These unlikely allies are the emotional core and titular characters of The Mandalorian and Grogu, so obviously, you need to start at the beginning and watch how their relationship unfolds.

The Book of Boba Fett episodes 5, 6 and 7

While you might be tempted to jump straight into The Mandalorian season 3, I strongly caution against that impulse. Your new favorite characters actually show up in a narrative interlude in another show -- The Book of Boba Fett -- which takes place between The Mandalorian's second and third seasons.

This is an important chapter in their story, too. Grogu's plotline with galactic legend Luke Skywalker is resolved within a three-episode side story. By the time The Mandalorian season 3 begins, the child is back with Din yet again.

Who knows why this story arc was nestled in the middle of The Book of Boba Fett? Maybe it's because Boba Fett showed up in The Mandalorian show before his solo outing. Maybe it was to entice general audiences to watch this meandering mess of a show that kills the mystique of a longtime Star Wars fan-favorite character. Either way, you'll want to watch these three episodes of The Book of Boba Fett before jumping back into The Mandalorian, or you'll end up with a severe case of narrative whiplash. The rest of the show isn't likely to have any bearing on The Mandalorian and Grogu, so you can safely skip it and keep your Boba Fett-inspired nostalgia intact.

The Mandalorian season 3

The third and final season of The Mandalorian sees Din and Grogu take off on a brand-new quest to reclaim Mandalore, the home planet of Din's adoptive warrior clan. Besides serving as a proper live-action introduction of fan-favorite character Bo-Katan, the show establishes a new normal for the Mandalorian people and their place in the Star Wars universe.

This is the last cinematic adventure Din and Grogu have gone on before the new movie, setting the stage for what comes next.

Go above and beyond with these stories from a galaxy far, far away

Still have time to marathon more Star Wars before The Mandalorian and Grogu comes out? There are some animated extras that delve into the planet Mandalore and its people's warrior culture that could be worth your time. These shows and movies aren't required viewing to understand the new movie, but they'll add context to places and characters we know will show up.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 movie)

Din Djarin and Grogu's next adventure is going to revolve around saving one of the youngest members of the Hutt clan, who are the massive slug-like cartel bosses that control the galaxy's Outer Rim. Rotta the Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White in the new movie) isn't a new character, though you'd be forgiven for thinking he is.

In fact, this isn't the first time Rotta has required rescue. He debuted in the animated film, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where he was captured (as a baby) and held as a bargaining chip to push the Hutts into war. Rotta is sure to play a big role in The Mandalorian and Grogu, so now is a good time to catch up on the character's origin story.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Season 7, episodes 9, 10, 11 and 12)

Din Djarin and the Mandalorian warrior clans are scattered throughout the galaxy, but you wouldn't know why unless you watched the final few episodes of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV show.

While committing to an entire rewatch of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a gargantuan task in the weeks leading up to The Mandalorian and Grogu's May 22 release date, this four-episode arc is a solid, self-contained explainer that details the siege of the planet Mandalore at the hands of the villainous Darth Maul.

While the native people achieved victory, the war thinned their ranks -- and the newly formed Empire set its sights on installing a puppet leader and exerting control over the proud warrior clans.

Star Wars Rebels (Season 4, episodes 1 and 2)

The Empire's meddling on Mandalore splits the native peoples' allegiances once again, sparking a civil war that unfolds at the start of Star Wars Rebels' fourth season. The heroes back princess Bo-Katan and acquire the mythical Darksaber -- a weapon and status symbol that denotes the true leader of the Mandalorians.

These two episodes are the last time we see the Mandalorian princess and the Darksaber before they appear in The Mandalorian, providing useful context to Din's mission in season 3. The main heroes in Star Wars Rebels, like the Jedi Ezra Bridger and the designated muscle Zeb Orrelios, have also begun appearing in live-action shows like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, so don't count them out for a potential cameo in The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Ahsoka (Season 1)

This one is for extra credit: It's pretty unlikely that Ahsoka, Anakin Skywalker's padawan-turned-Jedi-master, shows up in The Mandalorian and Grogu movie. We can never be sure, though, since both projects are helmed by Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm's president and chief creative officer.

Filoni often carries his original characters over between Star Wars shows and movies -- Ahsoka has already made appearances in Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. So while it's not extremely likely that she'll appear in The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, I wouldn't completely rule it out.

The Ahsoka show is a good way to find out what she's up to during the same post-Empire time period as The Mandalorian and Grogu, and to discover what kind of character she is now.

Here's how to watch all of these Star Wars shows

The easiest way to catch up with all of your favorite Star Wars media is coughing up some cash and subscribing to the big mouse's streaming service. Disney Plus has all of the Star Wars TV shows and movies you'd ever need to watch to prepare for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

If you're wary of digital streaming services and want to physically own copies of this media, there is an assortment of Blu-rays for the most important shows on this list. You'll have to shell out an exorbitant sum, but you can get your hands on a full box set of all three seasons of The Mandalorian. Copies of the Ahsoka series are also available.

I look at the price of those Blu-rays and shudder, but keeping a physical collection of your favorite series might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you just want to catch up on the latest events in the Star Wars universe before the next movie comes out, I'd recommend streaming on Disney Plus. It'll save you a sizable sum of money, and all the Star Wars movies and shows are in one place.