Every Live-Action Star Wars TV Season Ranked

Spoilers forward for all live-action “Star Wars” exhibits.

It has been almost six years for the reason that nice Disney+ “Star Wars” challenge started with “The Mandalorian” season 1 in 2019. Within the absence of any theatrical movies since “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” streaming has develop into the de facto platform for the franchise, and Lucasfilm has put out an actually staggering quantity of live-action tv in simply over half a decade. That is along with the improbable work always being completed by Lucasfilm Animation, however right this moment, we’re particularly speaking in regards to the live-action “Star Wars” collection.

As of proper now, the way forward for live-action “Star Wars” on Disney+ is unclear, with “Ahsoka” season 2 being the lone exception to the rule. Not solely that, however “Andor” creator Tony Gilroy (while addressing the show’s massive budget) has additionally claimed Disney informed him, in his personal phrases, “Streaming is useless, we do not have the cash we had earlier than.”

Admittedly, not all live-action “Star Wars” initiatives have to value the $650 million that “Andor” apparently did. However the query stays: Is that this a sustainable mannequin going ahead? Disney CEO Bob Iger and different Disney execs have stated repeatedly they plan to focus extra on high quality over amount with streaming, whereas “Star Wars” itself will lastly return to the large display screen in 2026. Given all of that, and within the wake of “Andor” season 2, let’s look again in any respect the live-action “Star Wars” exhibits up to now and rank them.

It is a disgrace to begin this checklist off with such a big-name present — one with a lot potential — however right here we’re. Sure, “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” the collection apparently named by a four-year-old pointing on the display screen, bought respectable opinions upon its preliminary launch in 2022. However it had main points even then, and looking out again, it is develop into probably the most forgettable “Star Wars” initiatives of the whole Disney period.

This could have been a house run. After buying the franchise from George Lucas, Disney appeared frightened of invoking the then-still-hated “Star Wars” prequels in any method, as an alternative creating new movies hyper-loyal to the aesthetics of the unique trilogy. This present was the large break from that development, bringing again each Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. And it simply…flops.

Before everything, that is the worst-looking live-action “Star Wars” present by a parsec. Within the years main as much as it, Disney stored pushing the boundaries of the Quantity soundstage know-how used on “The Mandalorian,” and that is the place it broke. The units really feel tiny, the costuming is a far cry from the prequels, and every little thing appears to be like as if it is bathed in some fuzzy Instagram filter. Take the supposedly climactic rematch between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan, which is so darkish, nauseatingly shot, and confusingly choreographed that it instantly removes all drama from the event.

The writing is one other ache level, with a wild quantity of filler packed into simply six episodes. Whereas the visible points might be blamed on funds to a point, the entire angle of the present additionally feels off. “Obi-Wan Kenobi” earns just a few factors again with nice performances from McGregor and Christensen, equally sturdy work from Moses Ingram and Vivien Lyra Blair, and a handful of genuinely touching moments. However these excessive factors cannot save the present from being a near-complete fumble.

Many would in all probability put “The Ebook of Boba Fett” on the very backside of this checklist. In any case, it has area mopeds, and we hate that, proper? Nicely, sure, it is a bit foolish. Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau’s much less tactful samurai homages come out right here within the “daimyo” arc for Boba (Temuera Morrison), who insists that he’s each against the law lord and the form of “cool” native cop who encourages delinquent teenagers to play chess as an alternative of smoking dope. Tatooine has by no means regarded extra boring, and there is the Jedi Temple of all of it — the present’s gravest sin, for my part. Nonetheless, there are some redeeming qualities right here.

Before everything, Morrison is improbable. You might argue that no actor has ever been better-suited to a task in “Star Wars.” In the meantime, Ming-Na Wen makes for an ideal accomplice in (very light) crime as fellow ex-bounty hunter Fennec Shand. There’s additionally a little bit of welcome reparative work completed on the Tusken Raiders. They’re actually much less regressive than Lucas’ “Sand Individuals,” however nonetheless pull closely from each “Dances with Wolves” and extra generic “Noble Savage” stereotypes, so it is form of a wash.

Maybe essentially the most damning factor about this present is that the majority would name the Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) episode the spotlight, which it principally is. The finale is a reasonably enjoyable battle of “Star Wars” motion figures, however the character assassination of Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and CGI Deepfake Muppet Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) carry the vibes down onerous. Finally, “The Ebook of Boba Fett” simply seems like a large number.

It is a disgrace to see a present that is had such historic highs attain the place “The Mandalorian” has. Season 3, already two years previous now, nonetheless has some nice materials, which is why it ranks just a few locations up from the underside on this checklist. However by its third outing, the inaugural live-action “Star Wars” present had already been dragged down by the collective weight of the franchise.

It isn’t hyperbole to say that for just a few years, “The Mandalorian” was “Star Wars” within the eyes of informal followers. It was an enormous hit that everybody cherished after a controversial finish to the sequel trilogy, and as such, it turned the franchise standard-bearer. That bloating principally happens in season 2, which stealth-pilots “Ahsoka” and brings Luke again, amongst different world-build-y issues. Season 3 tries to get issues targeted once more by centering on the Mandalorians themselves, nevertheless it simply winds up feeling disjointed.

The one-off episodes haven’t got the identical legibility or accessible resonance as they do within the earlier seasons, and the bigger Mandalore plot meanders aimlessly till the ultimate couple of episodes (which, admittedly, are fairly sturdy). Your mileage might differ primarily based on how a lot you get pleasure from darksaber politics, however the final showdown with Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) makes good on a show-long arc, and the bigger bits of world-building we get in season 3 in regards to the New Republic and Grogu are fairly attention-grabbing for essentially the most half.

That Jack Black episode, although? And the pterodactyl? Nope.

This can be essentially the most controversial rating right here, however please, bear with me. The primary three seasons on this checklist are all fairly messy, with frequent pacing points, visible lapses, and struggles with the plot. “Skeleton Crew” is decidedly higher throughout the board, kicking off what I might name the second tier of this checklist. It is a present that graciously dodges the worst craft offenses of the previous seasons. The units look nice, there are tons of sensible results that work wonders on the sense of immersion, and the story is sensible sufficient to not chunk off greater than it will probably chew. This can be a very easy “Star Wars” journey anchored by a powerful solid of younger actors and a few actual star energy from Jude Regulation.

So, why does it fee so comparatively low on this checklist? As a result of, not less than for me, “Skeleton Crew” performs it a bit of too secure. It appears to be like unbelievable subsequent to the sloppiness that has plagued Disney+ “Star Wars” (together with in seasons and exhibits we’ve got but to debate), however there’s additionally little or no ambition right here. Do not get me unsuitable, I like a self-contained narrative. I’m actually, actually glad that we did not get Exegol coordinates or some historical Sith weapon hidden on this present. However I additionally battle to get enthusiastic about any a part of it. To me, “Star Wars” is about grandeur and scale, even when the tales are smaller. However “Skeleton Crew” by no means feels prefer it has actual stakes.

Sure, it is meant for youths and households, however so is most of “Star Wars” and different initiatives have taken greater swings. For that cause, I am placing it beneath a few exhibits with greater issues however definitively increased highs.

“Star Wars: The Acolyte” ought to have gotten one other season.

Sure, I am a type of folks, and you need to be too. Are the primary 4 episodes filled with unusual pacing, obscure mysteries, and writing that might have used some tightening? Completely. However the again half of the present is so dramatically higher in each respect that it almost pushes this season into the higher half of this checklist.

That is basic “Star Wars” prequel trilogy dilemma: ambition vs. execution. The execution on plenty of “The Acolyte” feels unfinished, just like the manufacturing group ran out of time, cash, or each. However then you definately hit “Evening,” and also you understand the place the entire focus went. The lightsaber fights on this present are in all probability the most effective we have gotten for the reason that prequels, and there are some all-timer performances right here from Manny Jacinto and Lee Jung-jae. Whereas the meat of the story is admittedly about twins Mae and Osha (Amandla Stenberg), it is the disgrace of the Jedi and the (very potent, sexual even) attract of the darkish facet that anchor this plot and make it shine.

Had “The Acolyte” been renewed, season 2 may have been spectacular. The entire Coruscant politics, poisonous love tales, completely unbelievable darkish facet gear — it was proper there on the desk, with a lot of the present’s kinks seemingly labored out by the top. Generally, manufacturing groups simply want a bit of further time to click on with one another. “The Acolyte” seems like such a present, however even with only one season, it does some unbelievable issues for the franchise.

“Ahsoka” season 1 is form of a curious case. It isn’t as clear or constant as “Skeleton Crew,” nor as bold as “The Acolyte.” However as an entire, I believe it is the strongest total season of the three, largely because of some back-half boosting from Lars Mikkelsen, Eman Esfandi, and the late Ray Stevenson.

For essentially the most half, “Ahsoka” appears to be like fairly good, mixing sensible results for issues just like the area battles with the higher bits of Disney+ period CGI. The places are placing, the motion is fixed and diversified, and the treasure-map construction of an extragalactic journey is novel for “Star Wars” but suits completely inside the franchise. It is also price noting that the Kiners, who primarily compose “Star Wars” animated exhibits, flip in some improbable music right here, mixing the basic John Williams aesthetic with one thing extra cosmic and swashbuckle-y.

My major concern with “Ahsoka” season 1 is Ahsoka herself. She would not actually really feel something like her animated counterpart, which may very well be fantastic given how a lot older she is right here, however the brand new angle on the character additionally would not actually work for me. The principle emotional hook of the season is the terse master-apprentice dynamic between her and Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), however the origins of that stress occur off-screen, leaving viewers to fend for scraps of constant character work in a relationship between characters who each really feel completely totally different. Fortunately, the likes of Grand Admiral Thrawn (Mikkelsen), Ezra Bridger (Esfandi), Baylan Skoll (Stevenson), Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno), and Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) present far more compelling materials.

And sure, the Clone Wars flashback episode is nice. A sugar rush of gooey fan-service, certain, however I am unable to say I did not like it.

Easy means of elimination can inform you what stays to be ranked on this checklist, and it is the actually great things — two exhibits which have demonstrated totally different however equally compelling visions of what serialized live-action “Star Wars” can seem like. Up first is “The Mandalorian” season 2, an eight-episode run that is dragged down at occasions by its obligations to the bigger franchise however which principally nonetheless delivers on season 1’s improbable precedent.

Season 2 actually excels on the power of its supporting solid, from Timothy Olyphant’s Tatooine marshal Cobb Vanth to Invoice Burr’s ex-Imperial scoundrel Migs Mayfeld and Katee Sackhoff’s live-action debut as Bo-Katan Kryze (a personality she had beforehand voiced in a number of “Star Wars” animated collection).

This season can be answerable for bringing Morrison correctly again as Boba Fett, delivering all the final cool man vitality you’d count on after many years of fan-fiction and Expanded Universe/Legends storylines. Then there’s the late Carl Weathers, who not solely turns in one other stellar efficiency as put-upon Justice of the Peace Greef Karga but in addition directs one of many season’s greatest episodes.

In fact, it is the “Mandalorian” season 2 finale most individuals bear in mind — that climactic montage of Luke carving his method by way of a shipload of un-killable Imperial battle droids. The ramifications of that second on the franchise writ giant are substantial, and never essentially in a great way. If something, the optimistic response appeared to encourage Disney to proceed down the darkish path of CGI Deepfakes as an alternative of precise re-castings. Should you can take away that bigger context out of your thoughts, although, this primary Luke scene nonetheless works fairly nicely.

Though a lot of the Disney+ “Star Wars” period has delivered middling outcomes, it began with an unlimited bang in 2019. “The Mandalorian” season 1 was about as hyped as a present might be, and it gave the franchise the mass-appeal, appointment viewing, status TV cultural zeitgeist that Lucasfilm gave the impression to be searching for. Child Yoda, later named Grogu, turned an in a single day sensation, turning the present into essentially the most common hit the property had seen since “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

That is all nicely and good, however how does season 1 maintain up six years later? Fortunately, the reply is extremely nicely. From the detailed, lived-in units and sensible results to the strategic use of the Quantity to create grand vistas, grounded episodic storylines with attention-grabbing facet characters, improbable motion, and a standout main efficiency from Pascal, there’s tons to like right here.

The place later seasons arguably made the present too central to the bigger “Star Wars” lore, season 1’s world-building is admittedly sturdy. We get attention-grabbing appears to be like on the remnants of the Empire and the rise of the New Republic, in addition to a vision of Mandalorian culture that, for higher or worse, has come to dominate the fandom. In brief, “The Mandalorian” season 1 is about pretty much as good as your typical “Buck Rogers”-style “Star Wars” will get exterior of the unique trilogy.

It is in all probability been stated too many occasions already, however I’ll say it once more: “Andor” is a miracle. I imply that in essentially the most literal sense, too. The mixture of timing, technique, and personnel scheduling that needed to come collectively for this present to occur is, frankly, unbelievable. It was commissioned at a time when Disney was throwing cash on the wall to fill out its streaming library and constructing off the success of “Rogue One,” which Gilroy was solely introduced in on as a fix-up artist. Mix that with the actual collision of writers, actors, costume designers, composers, and every little thing else that simply hits completely on this collection, and it is a marvel it exists.

Fortunately, although, it does. “Andor” season 1 is a perfect season of television and an ideal “Star Wars” story — the story of 1 man’s gradual radicalization towards fascism, set towards an epic backdrop of shifting galactic politics and localized oppression. We get plots in regards to the Imperial Safety Bureau and the fractured early Insurrection, whose central spymaster, Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), hides in plain sight on Coruscant. That is additionally the place Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) started her journey to changing into everybody’s favourite “Star Wars” character. And on the core of all of it is Diego Luna handing over debatably the best main “Star Wars” efficiency of all time as Cassian Andor.

There’s not sufficient room on this article to reward every little thing price praising in “Andor” season 1. I may spend 1,000 phrases simply on Nicholas Britell’s gorgeous musical rating or Andy Serkis’ visitor flip within the jail arc or the impeccable pacing and awe-inspiring climax of the Adhani heist episode. However the large image right here is that “Andor” treats “Star Wars” with the best stage of respect — sufficient to make each single scene, character, plot level, and even lone TIE fighter really feel powerfully, inescapably actual.

I spent plenty of time weighing which “Andor” season was going to wind up on high right here. And for all my inside reasoning, I am unable to say for sure that recency bias hasn’t performed an element. I famous that “Andor” season 1 is an ideal season of tv, and I would argue season 2 is a hair lower than good. It takes greater swings, makes an attempt much less conventional plot arcs, and is total riskier than season 1. As a buddy of mine as soon as put it, “Andor” season 1 is a ten/10 however season 2 is a 19/20.

In sports activities, when two gamers appear tied up for the MVP, you will seemingly vote for the one who hit the largest shot in extra time. And the back half of “Andor” season 2 (particularly, episodes 8, 9, and 10) is the one-legged behind-the-back buzzer-beater of all time for “Star Wars.” Season 2 delivers each essentially the most lovely and essentially the most hideous romances in the whole franchise. It is a story the place Noticed Gerrera’s (Forest Whitaker) respiratory equipment offers start to a Shakespearean monologue in regards to the incendiary intuition to combat fascism. Years cross over the 12 episodes, granting characters you by no means would have thought of core gamers among the most affecting arcs in all of “Star Wars.”

In my coronary heart, no “Star Wars” challenge will seemingly ever topple “Andor” season 1. It was such a shock, week after week, because it continued to one-up itself. However season 2 is the factor all that work builds towards, and the status on the finish hits completely. So, I’ll simply barely give “Andor” season 2 the sting, in addition to the title of “Finest ‘Star Wars’ I Have Ever Seen.”