Star Wars: The 10 Best Movies & TV Shows Of The Disney Era

There’s been a lot of discussion about how Disney has managed the Star Wars franchise since acquiring it in 2012. They began with strong successes, including blockbuster films and well-received TV series. However, things became difficult after the release of The Last Jedi in 2017. While critics praised the film, many dedicated fans strongly disliked it and continue to express their disappointment. This led to a period of instability and inconsistency for the studio.

The final Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker, attempted to fix problems fans had with the previous movie, The Last Jedi, but ended up feeling disjointed. This created a trilogy that doesn’t flow well as a single, connected story. The recent TV shows have been equally uneven – some are excellent, while others haven’t lived up to expectations. Overall, it feels like Star Wars is struggling to find its footing.

Despite some uneven quality, Disney’s Star Wars films and shows have had many bright spots. Their best projects, both animated and live-action, have been widely praised, and they’ve also taken some interesting risks with new ideas.

10. Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Even people who haven’t enjoyed the recent Star Wars films from Disney were looking forward to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Ewan McGregor was popular in the earlier prequel movies, so fans were excited to see him reprise the role. The announcement that Hayden Christensen would be back too was a big draw, especially since he’d only played Anakin Skywalker, not Darth Vader, up until then.

Taking place ten years after Revenge of the Sith, the series featured a surprising amount of young Leia Organa and some storylines that felt unnecessary to some viewers. However, the interactions between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader were excellent, culminating in a final battle that ranks among the best in the entire Star Wars saga.

9. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Look, as a movie critic, I have to admit this film was divisive, to say the least. It really shook up the Star Wars fanbase, and honestly, the backlash has been ongoing for years. Rian Johnson took some bold swings – killing off Snoke so quickly and portraying Luke Skywalker as disillusioned with the Force – and a lot of fans just didn’t appreciate those choices. It wasn’t just disappointment; it was genuine anger that, even now, people are still passionately debating.

As a huge Star Wars fan, I can definitely see why critics loved The Last Jedi. Honestly, it’s the most visually impressive film in the whole series – the effects are just stunning. I also thought the dynamic between Rey and Kylo Ren was really well done, and the action sequences were fantastic. But, despite all its strengths, it’s just too controversial to be one of my absolute favorites.

8. Star Wars: Ahsoka (2023-)

You know, as a big Star Wars fan, I keep thinking Ahsoka might have worked better as an animated show. Ahsoka Tano is just so iconic in animation, and while Rosario Dawson does a great job, Ashley Eckstein is the voice of Ahsoka to so many of us. It just felt a little strange not hearing her in the role, honestly.

Despite any issues, the Ahsoka series was impressive. It continues the story from Star Wars Rebels, with particularly strong performances from Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren and from the portrayal of Hera Syndulla. We finally saw Grand Admiral Thrawn in live-action, and a flashback featuring Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader was exceptionally well done. A second season has been announced.

7. Star Wars: Visions (2021-)

A common criticism of recent Star Wars films and series is that they often feel repetitive and center on the same characters, which can make the galaxy feel less vast. Star Wars: Visions was a fantastic effort to offer something fresh, and it was remarkably successful.

As a huge Star Wars fan, I was so excited about Star Wars: Visions, and it didn’t disappoint! It’s basically a collection of short stories, and what’s really cool is that each one is made by a different anime studio. That means every episode has a totally unique look and feel – something you’ve never seen in Star Wars before. Honestly, even the episodes I didn’t love were still worth watching just to experience that fresh take on the universe.

6. The Mandalorian (2019-2023)

When Disney+ launched, The Mandalorian was its biggest hit. This first-ever live-action series in the Star Wars universe followed a bounty hunter and quickly became popular, reminding many fans of the excitement they felt when Boba Fett first appeared and they hoped to see more of him.

The first episode of The Mandalorian introduced a surprising duo: Din Djarin and Grogu, quickly nicknamed ‘Baby Yoda’ by fans, and the show instantly became a hit. They both became fan favorites. The first season felt like a classic western, while the second season built out the show’s universe and brought in characters like Bo-Katan, as well as a touching reunion with Luke Skywalker. While the third season wasn’t as strong, the show as a whole is still excellent.

5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Disney’s return to Star Wars with The Force Awakens was a huge success. The film earned over $2 billion, proving there was still strong interest in the franchise. While some fans now criticize it, The Force Awakens effectively revitalized Star Wars and met its primary goals.

The movie intentionally echoes elements of the original A New Hope. It successfully introduces new characters – Rey, Finn, and Poe – while also appealing to fans with familiar faces. The Force Awakens promised a great trilogy, but unfortunately, that potential wasn’t fully realized.

4. Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018)

Both Rebels and The Clone Wars are fantastic shows that many Star Wars fans have unfortunately missed. This is likely because they’re animated and include some episodes geared towards younger viewers. The Clone Wars mostly predates Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, while Rebels was created entirely under Disney’s ownership.

Star Wars Rebels is packed with unforgettable scenes. From Ahsoka’s heartbreaking confrontation with Darth Vader, to a fresh battle between Obi-Wan and Maul, and Kanan Jarrus’s heroic final act, this show delivers some of the franchise’s most powerful moments.

3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Many people questioned whether a movie detailing how the rebels discovered the flaw in the Death Star was truly necessary. It felt like Disney was simply trying to make as many Star Wars films as possible to profit from the franchise. However, despite earning over $1 billion, Rogue One also surprised audiences with its quality.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story featured compelling characters like Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor, even though we knew their stories would end tragically. The movie is visually stunning and emotionally resonant, and the iconic scene with Darth Vader was a particularly memorable highlight.

2. Maul – Shadow Lord (2026-)

Darth Maul has become a surprisingly complex and popular character in the Star Wars universe. Initially, he was known simply for his striking appearance and memorable duel in The Phantom Menace. However, series like The Clone Wars and Rebels delved into his backstory, transforming him into one of the franchise’s most compelling figures.

I was so thrilled when they gave Maul his own series, Maul – Shadow Lord! It really dives deeper into his story, and honestly, everyone loved it. The voice acting is amazing, the animation style is just stunning, and some of the fight scenes are seriously some of the best I’ve ever seen in anything Star Wars. Plus, the best news? Season two is already coming!

1. Andor (2022-2025)

While Rogue One was a hit, the prequel series Andor proved to be even more popular. The show centered around its main character, played by Diego Luna, revealing his backstory and his crucial role in the early days of the Rebel Alliance before the events of the 2016 film.

The show dedicates a significant amount of time to portraying the brutality of the Empire and explaining how these experiences drive Andor to rebel against them. Many consider Andor the greatest Star Wars story ever told, and it received widespread recognition with 22 Emmy nominations and a Peabody Award win.

2026-05-21 19:21