Ranking The Disney Era Star Wars Series
With the release of “The Mandalorian” season 3 a mere week away now, now felt like the opportune time to take a look back at all of the Disney era Star Wars live-action and animated series. Note: “Ewoks,” “Droids,” and the 2003 “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” are not included on this list as they were released prior to the Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm.
1. The Mandalorian- Season 1 was a joy to behold, but season 2 was next level. As a longtime fan, it’s rewarding to see a Star Wars series that will surprise you with new experiences while also bringing back characters that you treasure. 2020 was an awful year to be sure, but seeing Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker and Mando and Grogu on screen was one of the few bright spots.
2. Andor- Truth be told, this could very well be #1 and might be once when we see the second and final season. “Andor” showed audiences that you could make an adult Star Wars series that both tackles other genres (spy drama) and explores different corners of the universe.
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)- Yes, much of this series aired before the Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm, but there were still 3 seasons that aired during the Disney era (much of season 5, The Lost Missions and The Final Season). This is still the blueprint of how to make an animated series based on a franchise.
4. Star Wars Rebels- It took a little bit to get into the swing of this series, but viewers (myself included) found themselves getting wrapped up in the adventures of the crew of the Ghost. There’s so much to love here including anything involving Darth Maul, the reappearance of Captain Rex, Kanan, Agent Kallus, Ahsoka, and, of course, Grand Admiral Thrawn.
5. Star Wars: The Bad Batch- This animated series has real potential to move up the list, but the side quest stories really distract from the riveting overarching plot. The show is at its best when it focuses on the bigger picture involving the Clones, the implementation of Stormtroopers, the rise of the Empire, and the Empire’s nasty cover-ups.
6. Star Wars: Visions- The episodes themselves may be hit-and-miss, but this is the type of experimental Star Wars I’d love to see more of. The notion of seeing 9 anime filmmakers’ takes on Star Wars turned out to be a wild experience. Highlights include the samurai esque “The Duel,” “The Ninth Jedi” (which should be a series), and “The Elder.” Season 2 can’t come soon enough.
7. Tales Of The Jedi- If this were to get more episodes in the future, this series could very well skyrocket up the list. Of the 6 episodes so far revolving around Count Dooku and Ahsoka, the Dooku ones made the biggest impression (especially the incredible “The Sith Lord” episode).
8. Obi-Wan Kenobi- Perhaps the most frustrating Star Wars series. There’s a lot to love here (particularly anything involving Ewan McGregor as Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Anakin and Darth Vader), but this is by far the cheapest looking Star Wars series. Given the level of talent involved and considering this was once meant to be a film, it should have had a much bigger scale and a bigger budget.
9. The Book of Boba Fett- It pains me to say this as a Boba Fett fan, but the series was supremely uneven. When it soared it really soared ala “The Mandalorian” centic episodes, the Tusken Raider elements, and the live-action introduction of Cad Bane. Unfortunately, the series was hampered by cheap production values (costumes, sets), goofy elements (The Mods) and a Boba Fett arc that doesn’t really go anywhere. Boba Fett not being a bounty hunter just felt weird.
10. Star Wars Resistance- The only series that I do not like. While it had a few moments (namely appearances of characters from the saga), the often slapsticky series was entirely forgettable and never came into its own. There’s a reason fandom never brings this one up.
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