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Star Wars Live-Action Disney+ Originals Ranked
Over the past few years, we’ve seen many original Star Wars live-action shows released on Disney+ in the past few years and with The Mandalorian and Grogu making the jump from Disney+ to the big screen, I wanted to share my thoughts on all of these and rank them, from worst to best.
We’ve seen a variety of different shows released on Disney+ from multiple eras, all focusing on expanding the lore of Star Wars, often with well-known characters from the films and animated shows. These Star Wars shows were one of the main reasons subscribers flocked to Disney+ in the beginning, but sadly, Lucasfilm lost its way, and that’s what makes this ranked list so interesting.
Here’s my live-action Disney+ Original Star Wars shows ranked:
7) The Acolyte
An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
Without doubt, “The Acolyte” is probably the most controversial series ever released on Disney+, as it failed to capture the audience with this prequel set years before the events of “The Phanatom Menace”. This show has many fantastic fight scenes and some interesting elements that I still think it is worthwhile for Star Wars fans to check out, but sadly, “The Acolyte” feels more like a victim of the Culture Wars than the next big step in a galaxy far, far away. So much potential, just got wasted.
6) The Book Of Boba Fett
“The Book of Boba Fett,” a thrilling Star Wars adventure teased in a surprise end-credit sequence following the Season 2 finale of “The Mandalorian,” finds legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand navigating the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.
As a Boba Fett fan since the original films, it’s hard not be disappointed in how this show turned out, as one of the greatest things about Boba Fett was that he was so mysterious, and this show turns him into a completely different character. There are some good moments, but when the best episode in the series is just about Grogu and sets up the next season of “The Mandalorian”, it’s hard not be disappointed.
5) Obi-Wan Kenobi
“Obi-Wan Kenobi” begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith”, where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.
Originally, this show was intended to be “A Star Wars Story” movie, before getting turned into a Disney+ show, and I can’t help but feel that maybe Disney should have stuck to that idea. There are some fantastic elements to this movie, especially seeing Vader and Kenobi facing off one more time, as well as giving us an insight into why Leia trusted Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original movie. However, it suffers from some of the typical Disney+ show problems, of feeling more like a film cut up into pieces, rather than being designed around the traditional television format.
4) Ahsoka
Set after the fall of the Empire, “Star Wars: Ahsoka” follows the former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
Having been a fan of the animated series, getting to see “Ahsoka” in live-action was a thrill, but that’s one of the biggest problems with this show, is that it feels more like an extension of the “Rebels” animated series, which many people haven’t seen. I really enjoyed the first season of “Ahsoka”, and there is good news for Ahsoka fans: we’ve got a second season on the way and with Dave Filoni now co-running Lucasfilm, I think we’ll see many more adventures featuring Ahsoka and other characters from the animated series in the future.
3) Skeleton Crew
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home—and meeting unlikely allies and enemies—will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.
This live-action series is a refreshing change of pace from every other Disney+ show on this list, as it captures that adventure feeling that was so popular in the 80s, that “Stranger Things” meets “Goonies” in space feel, that delivered easily one of my favourite shows on Disney+ so far.
2) Andor
The “Andor” series explores a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
In complete contrast to “Skeleton Crew”, this show is a dark and gritty series that brings the HBO/FX style format to Star Wars, with hard-hitting series for adults. For older Star Wars fans, “Andor” is a must-watch and easily one of the best pieces of Star Wars content created in the last few decades.
1) The Mandalorian
The journeys of the Mandalorian through the Star Wars galaxy continue. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin has reunited with Grogu. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history. The Mandalorian will cross paths with old allies and make new enemies as he and Grogu continue their journey together.
I debated if “Andor” should get the top spot, but on reflection, “The Mandalorian” is my favourite Star Wars show, since it captures the magic of the franchise and brings back those feelings of being a kid. While not every episode is perfect, but if you want a more traditional Star Wars story, “The Mandalorian” is for you.
What do you think of my ranking of Star Wars live-action shows? Let me know on social media!
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