Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) Film

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) is a bold leap into animation for the Star Wars franchise, and the first fully animated feature in the saga. Directed by Dave Filoni and produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and Lucasfilm Animation, this unique entry kicked off a new era of storytelling by taking the rich lore of the Clone Wars and giving it a new format — animation — to expand what live-action couldn’t fully capture at the time.

Premiering on August 10, 2008, the film served as the theatrical pilot for the now-beloved The Clone Wars TV series that followed two months later on Cartoon Network. Featuring voice talents such as Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Dee Bradley Baker (Clone Troopers), and more — including returning legends like Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels, and Christopher Lee — the film introduces new characters, new conflicts, and a fresh style of storytelling that sets it apart from everything Star Wars had done before.

This movie takes place shortly after Attack of the Clones (Episode II) and dives into the chaos of the early Clone Wars. The plot centers around a devious plan by Count Dooku and Ziro the Hutt, who orchestrate the kidnapping of Jabba the Hutt’s son to turn the Hutts against the Jedi. Amid the galactic war, we’re introduced to Ahsoka Tano, a determined new Jedi Padawan assigned to Anakin Skywalker. Together, they must navigate traps, treachery, and lightsaber duels to protect the Republic and return the kidnapped Huttlet to his father.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) FILM Official Trailer

Relevant Questions Answered

- When does the Clone Wars movie take place in the Star Wars timeline?
  It occurs shortly after Episode II – Attack of the Clones, right at the onset of the Clone Wars.

- Is this movie connected to the Clone Wars TV series?
  Yes — it serves as the pilot and setup for the television series, introducing major characters and arcs that the show later expands upon.

- Do I need to watch this to enjoy the series?
  It helps, but it’s not mandatory. Watching it gives you important backstory on Ahsoka Tano’s introduction and the Republic’s evolving relationship with the Hutts.

- What’s different about this movie compared to the live-action films?
  It uses a stylized animation approach inspired by Japanese anime and 1960s puppetry. It’s more focused on action and mission-based storytelling.

- Is this a kids’ movie?
  While it targets a younger audience, the film includes complex politics, battles, and galactic intrigue that appeal to Star Wars fans of all ages.

Is Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) Worth Watching?

If you’re serious about Star Wars and want to witness the full evolution of the Clone Wars, then yes, it’s worth watching — even if you’ve heard otherwise.

Here’s why: This movie is the origin of Ahsoka Tano, one of the franchise’s most beloved and complex characters. It also sets the tone for the award-winning TV series that grew to rival even the main films in fan acclaim. Think of this movie as planting the seed — it’s the launchpad that eventually leads to deeply emotional arcs, rich lore expansion, and unforgettable battles across the galaxy.

Sure, the animation might look dated by today’s standards, but behind that stylized look is the heart of something bold and ambitious. This movie dares to tell a different kind of Star Wars story, one that isn’t about massive cinematic spectacle, but about growing into something that matters — just like Ahsoka herself.

So yes, Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) deserves your time — especially if you plan to follow the animated series or want the full, uncut Star Wars experience.

Star Wars Watch Order

Standard Chronological Movie Order

1. Episode I – The Phantom Menace
2. Episode II – Attack of the Clones
3. The Clone Wars (Film) – 2008
4. Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
5. Episode IV – A New Hope
6. Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
7. Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
8. Episode VII – The Force Awakens
9. Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
10. Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars Watch Order with Animated Series

Release Order

- A New Hope (1977)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Attack of the Clones (2002)
- The Clone Wars (film) (2008)
- The Clone Wars (series, 2008)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014)
- The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One (2016)
- The Last Jedi (2017)
- Solo (2018)
- Star Wars Resistance (2018)
- The Mandalorian (2019)
- The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- The Book of Boba Fett (2021)
- The Bad Batch (2021)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
- Andor (2022)
- Tales of the Jedi (2022)
- Ahsoka (2023)
- Tales of the Empire (2024)
- The Acolyte (2024)
- Skeleton Crew (2024)
- Tales of the Underworld (2025)

Chronological Order

1. The Acolyte (2024)
2. The Phantom Menace (1999)
3. Attack of the Clones (2002)
4. The Clone Wars (film) (2008)
5. The Clone Wars (series, 2008)
6. Tales of the Jedi (2022)*
7. Revenge of the Sith (2005)
8. Tales of the Empire (2024)*
9. Tales of the Underworld (2025)*
10. The Bad Batch (2021)
11. Solo (2018)
12. Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
13. Andor (2022)**
14. Star Wars Rebels (2014)**
15. Rogue One (2016)
16. A New Hope (1977)
17. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
18. Return of the Jedi (1983)
19. The Mandalorian (2019)
20. The Book of Boba Fett (2021)
21. Ahsoka (2023)
22. Skeleton Crew (2024)
23. Star Wars Resistance (2018)***
24. The Force Awakens (2015)
25. The Last Jedi (2017)
26. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

FAQ – Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Film)

Q: Is The Clone Wars movie canon?

Yes, it is part of Star Wars canon and leads directly into the TV series.

Q: Who is Ahsoka Tano, and why is she important?

Introduced in this film, Ahsoka becomes one of the franchise’s most influential Jedi, eventually connecting to major characters like Anakin, Vader, and Luke.

Q: Was this movie successful?

While it grossed $68.3 million worldwide, it is the lowest-grossing Star Wars theatrical release and was not a critical darling.

Q: Why did the animation look different from other Star Wars productions?

The stylized animation was a deliberate homage to anime and 1960s puppet shows like Thunderbirds, giving it a distinct identity.

Q: Do I need to watch this before the Clone Wars series?

Not required, but highly recommended to understand the starting point and Ahsoka’s origins.

Conclusion

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) may not have had the strongest start in terms of box office or reviews, but that doesn’t mean it lacks value — especially for die-hard Star Wars fans.

Yes, critics were harsh: they called the animation wooden, the dialogue clunky, and said it felt like a “Saturday morning cartoon.” Even beloved outlets like Entertainment Weekly labeled it one of the worst films of 2008. But here’s the twist — fans stuck around. And those who gave it a shot were rewarded with one of the most rich and layered Star Wars expansions in The Clone Wars series that followed.

This movie laid the groundwork for the rise of Ahsoka Tano, the deepening of Anakin’s character, and the moral complexity of the Republic’s war. So while the film may feel rough around the edges, it still carries the heart of Star Wars — bold ideas, meaningful relationships, and the struggle between light and dark.

If you don’t know where to watch this Movie for FREE make sure to contact me via E-mail, or in the comments below. Thank you for reading and make sure to bookmark the site.

If you want the complete story — the good, the flawed, and the game-changing — then this is a film you absolutely shouldn’t skip.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Film) – 2008