Every Star Wars Movie & TV Show Releasing In 2026, Ranked by Excitement Level

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Star Wars is returning to the big screen and Disney+ in 2026, after a bit of a pause since 2019. While the franchise has been more low-key lately, next year looks set to bring a new movie and more of the popular series that debuted in 2023, exciting fans once again. Here’s a rundown of everything coming in 2026, listed from most to least anticipated – though everyone’s excitement levels will naturally differ.

2025 saw a slower pace of new content for Star Wars, with fewer shows on Disney+. However, the year was marked by the release of Andor Season 2, which received widespread praise from critics. While it wasn’t a huge streaming success, the season powerfully concluded Cassian Andor’s story, delivering the emotional resonance and political complexity that many fans loved in earlier Star Wars films.

In addition to these releases, Tales of the Underworld provided a fascinating, though more limited, look into the galaxy’s criminal side. Meanwhile, Visions Volume 3 recently dropped nine new anime shorts, with one of them hinting at a project planned for 2026.

I’m so excited Star Wars is coming back to the big screen! Here’s what I, as a fan, am looking forward to most in the new year.

2026 Star Wars Projects Ranked by Excitement

Star Wars Visions Presents: The Ninth Jedi

At the lower end of anticipation for upcoming Star Wars projects is Star Wars Visions Presents: The Ninth Jedi. Revealed at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, this series is the first in a new collection from Lucasfilm called Visions Presents. These limited series will build upon stories first shown in the popular Visions anthology.

As a huge animation fan, I’m excited for all the upcoming movies, but The Ninth Jedi really stands out to me. It’s cool because it’s a standalone story, not directly tied to the main Star Wars saga. It’s going to continue the adventure of Lah Kara, a character we first met way back in Season 1’s ‘The Ninth Jedi’ episode, and then saw more of in Season 3’s ‘Child of Hope.’

Kenji Kamiyama, the original director, is back to oversee this new series, so fans can expect beautiful animation and a continuation of the fascinating story. However, with the recent live-action adaptations and another animated project on the horizon, this release isn’t generating quite as much buzz.

Maul: Shadow Lord

The animated series Maul: Shadow Lord is creating a lot of excitement. A recently released trailer showcased impressive animation and hinted at a dark, action-packed story with mysterious forces at work.

The new show was unexpectedly revealed at Star Wars Celebration 2025. It continues the story of The Clone Wars, starting right after the 2020 finale, and will lead directly into the events of Star Wars Rebels.

Sam Witwer is once again the voice of Darth Maul, a character known for his incredible ability to survive and return from death. Despite dying several times in various Star Wars stories, fans always welcome his reappearances.

This new installment of Shadow Lord delves into the mind of Darth Maul, examining his role in a galaxy transformed by the Empire. The series will also introduce Devon Izara as a potential apprentice to Maul, possibly inspired by the character Darth Talon. Using the same visually appealing animation style as The Clone Wars, the show promises a blend of familiar nostalgia and compelling new storytelling, making it a highly anticipated Star Wars project for 2026.

Ahsoka Season 2

Fans are particularly excited for Season 2 of Ahsoka, which is currently the only live-action Star Wars series planned for release in 2026. The first season, which premiered in 2023, broadened the Star Wars universe by introducing a new galaxy and bringing back popular characters like Anakin Skywalker, played by Hayden Christensen, as well as continuing the story from the animated series Star Wars Rebels.

The new season will continue the story immediately after the last one ended, leaving Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren stuck on the planet Peridea. Meanwhile, Grand Admiral Thrawn is secretly planning his next steps.

Ray Stevenson, who sadly passed away, will still appear as the enigmatic Baylan Skoll. Actor Rory McCann, known for his role in Game of Thrones, will now play the character and will share many scenes with Ivanna Sakhno, who plays Shin Hati.

Season 2 of Ahsoka is set to deliver satisfying emotional moments, expand on the understanding of the Force, and continue the story started in the popular Rebels series. Natasha Dawson reprises her role, and Dave Filoni returns as the showrunner.

The Mandalorian & Grogu

Okay, as a huge Star Wars fan, I’m seriously hyped for The Mandalorian & Grogu coming to theaters in 2026! It’s been ages since we got a Star Wars movie on the big screen – the last one was The Rise of Skywalker. The first trailer got a bit of a mixed response, but honestly, it’s still the Star Wars event I’m looking forward to most next year. I can’t wait to see Mando and Grogu on the big screen!

The latest installment, directed by Jon Favreau, continues the journey of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu as they travel the galaxy. Grogu is developing his Force powers quickly, even demonstrating new skills like swimming and potentially using a lightsaber for the first time.

The movie features new characters portrayed by Jeremy Allen-White and Sigourney Weaver, and it picks up where the popular Disney+ series left off.

This movie isn’t just another Star Wars release for fans—it’s the biggest event of 2026 and will likely be the defining moment for the franchise that year.

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2026-02-25 03:06