10 Years Ago Today, Disney Star Wars Peaked Before a Single Movie Had Been Released

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The Star Wars universe looks quite different today than it did a decade ago, and a recent anniversary underscores just how much things have evolved. It’s been six years since the last Star Wars film, *The Rise of Skywalker*, which earned over $1 billion but received mixed reviews. Since then, the focus has shifted to streaming series like *The Mandalorian*, *Obi-Wan Kenobi*, *Andor*, and several others.

Disney is returning to releasing movies in theaters, starting with a new film based on *The Mandalorian and Grogu* in 2026. However, recapturing the excitement of its most successful period will be challenging – a period that, surprisingly, began even before anyone saw the films. A prime example is the trailer for *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*, released on October 20, 2015. It was brilliantly crafted to generate anticipation without revealing too much, and it still feels exciting and promising today. This trailer was part of a larger pattern of successful movie marketing.

Disney Star Wars Peaked Before The Force Awakens Released

As a huge Star Wars fan, I always thought the first official trailer for *The Force Awakens* was the strongest. It was just so captivating, balancing intriguing hints about the story with moments that really played to what fans wanted to see. Seeing Luke’s hand on R2-D2 gave me chills! And at the time, Rey, Finn (wielding a lightsaber!), and Kylo Ren were all such mysteries. The music was perfect, building the emotion beautifully, and those voiceovers just added to the overall sense of excitement. But honestly, there were a couple of other trailers that were just as amazing. That very first teaser, though short, immediately let us know Star Wars was *back*. And when that teaser ended with “Chewie, we’re home”… that felt like Disney finally *got* Star Wars right.

Looking back, the combined trailers really represent the high point of Star Wars under Disney. The year leading up to *The Force Awakens* was an incredibly exciting time for fans. There was endless discussion about theories, characters, and how great the movie looked. I remember constantly talking about it with friends and coworkers – every new detail sparked fresh excitement. The overall feeling was optimistic, and fan discussions were much more positive and friendly than they are now, with the fandom feeling so divided.

The Sequels Couldn’t Live Up To The Hype (But Still Could’ve Been Better)

The new Star Wars sequels faced a huge challenge trying to meet expectations, particularly *The Force Awakens*. After being absent from theaters for ten years—and following the mixed reception to the prequel trilogy—the film marked a major comeback for the franchise. It looked fantastic, and importantly, it captured the original spirit of Star Wars. The marketing for *Episode VII* was incredibly effective, building massive excitement leading up to its December 2015 release.

The Force Awakens is an enjoyable Star Wars film, though it doesn’t take many risks. It avoids some of the criticism aimed at The Last Jedi, despite that film introducing intriguing questions and isolating Luke Skywalker. However, this familiar approach was helpful – it recreated the right feeling and made the movie a fun experience in cinemas, even if it’s not a perfect film. The new characters are particularly well-done, giving us heroes to cheer for and a villain with a lot of promise. While it didn’t fully live up to expectations, it delivered just enough to satisfy.

Things really shifted after that. It’s not so much about whether people liked *The Last Jedi* or *The Rise of Skywalker* – there are plenty of opinions on those films, and we don’t need to revisit those arguments. Instead, looking at the bigger picture, the sequel trilogy just doesn’t feel very unified. The Skywalker saga didn’t end as strongly as fans hoped, and it unfortunately fractured the Star Wars community. What used to be a fun and exciting topic of conversation became draining and, at times, even unpleasant.

It was bound to be difficult to satisfy everyone involved with the franchise, given its long history and diverse fanbase. Balancing the many mysteries, plotlines, and both classic and new characters, while staying true to the original spirit and moving forward, was a huge challenge. A clearer long-term plan would have been beneficial, as the series often felt directionless. Disney might also have made better choices if they hadn’t reacted so quickly to every situation. In retrospect, the period before *The Force Awakens* likely represented the peak of what it meant to be an engaged Star Wars fan.

Can Star Wars Recapture This Level Of Hype Again?

Recent Star Wars content hasn’t been consistently bad, though opinions definitely differ from project to project. Whether shows like *Obi-Wan Kenobi* missed the mark and *Andor* truly excelled is a matter of personal preference. However, there have been high points – especially the first two seasons of *The Mandalorian* – that made it feel exciting to be a Star Wars fan. These moments haven’t lasted long, though. Now, the challenge is to recapture the positive momentum from around a decade ago, which is crucial for the success of future films.

Reviving the franchise with *The Mandalorian and Grogu* won’t be simple. It’s facing a similar situation to *The Force Awakens* – it needs to reignite audience interest. However, the initial reaction to *The Force Awakens*’ trailer was surprisingly quiet; it didn’t create much buzz. To succeed, *The Mandalorian and Grogu* needs a much more impactful marketing push as its release date approaches. This campaign should tap into existing nostalgia while also showcasing fresh and exciting elements.

It’s easy to believe Star Wars can’t recapture its former magic, particularly after recent fan disagreements. However, it actually achieved similar success *before* the sequel trilogy, even after the prequels. Things are different now, though. We have much more discussion online and on social media, a huge number of TV shows competing for attention, trailers don’t generate the same buzz, and the movie theater landscape has changed since the pandemic. While *The Mandalorian and Grogu* will likely be popular, it probably won’t reach the $2 billion box office success of *The Force Awakens*. Plus, it’s based on a TV show – the third season of which many viewers found disappointing – making it harder to build the same level of excitement.

Despite its ups and downs, it’s too soon to count the Star Wars franchise out. It has a history of recovering, but it will take time to rebuild. If *The Mandalorian and Grogu* delivers, and the marketing for *Star Wars: Starfighter* is effective, the franchise could gain traction again. It needs to recapture that initial excitement – like what *The Force Awakens* trailers achieved – but winning back audiences after recent disappointments will be a challenge. With time, and maybe the nostalgia surrounding the 50th anniversary in 2027, Star Wars could experience a true resurgence.

Season 3 of The Mandalorian, featuring Grogu, is scheduled to arrive on May 22, 2026. Then, on May 28, 2027, look for the new film, Star Wars: Starfighter. You can already watch all the previous Star Wars movies, like The Force Awakens, on Disney+.

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2025-10-20 18:41