Star Wars on Disney+: A Ranking from Bantha Fodder to Ben Solo's Dad

The launch of *The Mandalorian

on Disney+ ignited a supernova of excitement for Star Wars fans. Baby Yoda merchandise became an instant phenomenon, Pedro Pascal honed his surrogate dad skills, and a new era of Star Wars storytelling soared into streaming. After the divisive sequel trilogy, these live-action adventures provided the perfect antidote, captivating audiences with their expansion of the Star Wars universe and its enduring legacy.

From the intergalactic fetch quests of Din Djarin and Grogu, to the emotional reunion of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, these shows offer everything Star Wars fans crave: thrilling journeys, unique characters, and even haunting revelations about the price of rebellion.

But how do these Disney+ shows stack up against each other? Let's delve into a ranking, from the bottom of the Bantha dung heap to the top of the heap, as we explore the best and the... less impactful entries in the Disney+ Star Wars saga.

6. The Book of Boba Fett

Imagine a show featuring Boba Fett riding a rampaging Rancor, and you might think it'd be a top contender. Sadly, *The Book of Boba Fett

ultimately lands with a thud, a frustrating detour in the galaxy far, far away.

Boba Fett's appearance in Season 2 of *The Mandalorian

was a triumph, with Temuera Morrison's return as the clone surrogate son of Jango Fett receiving widespread acclaim. For decades, Boba Fett had been a fan favorite based on very little, his iconic armor being enough to captivate a generation. *The Book of Boba Fett* had the opportunity to flesh out this enigmatic figure, but ultimately fell short. Boba, along with Ming-Na Wen's icy bounty hunter Fennec Shand, remained stoic and emotionally distant, offering little depth or payoff. Boba's ambition to become a "nice" crime lord in Mos Espa felt shallow and unsatisfying.

The show's structure was bizarre, with two of its seven episodes focusing on Din Djarin, pulling us completely away from Boba's story. This also made the return of Grogu to Din Djarin in *The Mandalorian

Season 3 confusing for viewers who hadn't seen *The Book of Boba Fett*.

While the show had its moments, like the live-action Cad Bane, the use of knee rockets, and a deeper look at Tusken Raiders, it ultimately felt empty and unfulfilling.

5. The Acolyte

Set a century before the rise of the Empire, *The Acolyte

presents a captivating family drama-mystery with intriguing ideas, stunning fight sequences, and the most compelling Sith since Anakin's fiery demise. The show throws a dark shadow on the Jedi, portraying them as flawed and potentially murderous, even going so far as to cover up the accidental slaughter of an entire community. If you ever considered siding with the Dark Side, *The Acolyte* might just push you towards those alluring red kyber crystals.

However, despite its impressive lightsaber battles, the brutal massacre, and its exploration of fascinating concepts (like the use of Force energy to create life, or the potential reveal of Darth Plagueis), *The Acolyte

suffers from inconsistencies in its characters and a disjointed narrative structure. The show's frequent flashbacks and convoluted storytelling left some viewers feeling frustrated and disoriented.

With many unresolved plot threads, *The Acolyte

might be ripe for a second season. For now, if you crave ferocious fights, brutal kills, and morally compromised Jedi, then this might be your cup of blue milk.

4. Ahsoka

*Ahsoka

comes with a bit of "homework" for those wanting to dive in, requiring a knowledge of *Star Wars Rebels*, and possibly even Timothy Zahn's *Thrawn Trilogy*. Essentially, *Ahsoka* serves as a live-action sequel to *Star Wars Rebels*, blending the style of Jon Favreau's *Mandalorian* universe with the brilliance of Dave Filoni's animated works.

While animated Star Wars characters had appeared in live-action before, like Saw Gerrera in *Rogue One*, *The Mandalorian

broke new ground by bringing in Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze and Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano. *Ahsoka* took this interweaving of worlds a step further by introducing Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, Ezra Bridger, and Grand Admiral Thrawn, essentially offering a *Star Wars Rebels: Season 5*.

The show's high-flying adventure follows Ahsoka and Sabine in their pursuit of Thrawn, a journey that takes them to the far reaches of the galaxy. The cliffhanger ending leaves fans eagerly anticipating *Ahsoka: Season 2*, which Lucasfilm confirmed is in development.

3. Obi-Wan Kenobi

"Hello there!"

The hype surrounding *Obi-Wan Kenobi

was rightfully immense. Not only did it mark Ewan McGregor's triumphant return, but it also rode the wave of renewed appreciation for the prequel trilogy. Fans were eager to see Ewan's Obi-Wan back in action, experiencing adventures reminiscent of the highlights of *Attack of the Clones*. And while Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin in *Ahsoka* was more satisfying, his first reappearance as Darth Vader was in this series, picking up ten years after *Revenge of the Sith* and revealing to Obi-Wan the truth about Anakin's transformation.

Amidst the excitement surrounding Obi-Wan and Vader, the series managed to keep Leia Organa's prominent role a secret. A vengeful Inquisitor uses the young Alderaanian princess to lure Obi-Wan out of his hermitage on Tatooine, where he's been watching over a ten-year-old Luke Skywalker.

The series has its flaws, feeling a bit stretched at times due to its initial development as a movie, and some fans felt the retconning of Obi-Wan and Leia's adventures, or Luke being pursued by a lightsaber-wielding maniac, was jarring. However, the emotional highs were truly impactful, and the two Obi-Wan/Vader showdowns were epic.

*Obi-Wan Kenobi

embraced the spirit of the prequels, featuring a guilt-ridden Obi-Wan, Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, Bail and Breha Organa, the Grand Inquisitor, Emperor Palpatine, and even a return of Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn's Force Ghost.

2. The Mandalorian

The phenomenon that launched the Disney+ Star Wars era, *The Mandalorian

was hailed as a return to form for the franchise. Debuting just a month before *The Rise of Skywalker*, *The Mandalorian* continued to garner praise and acclaim even as that divisive movie premiered. It also gave us Baby Yoda, the franchise's biggest cash cow in decades.

Set a few years after *Return of the Jedi*, *The Mandalorian

delves into Mandalorian culture, exploring its strict rules and internal conflicts. The show provides a glimpse into the galaxy post-Battle of Endor, as everyone tries to navigate a new era of peace, while remnants of the Empire, led by Gideon, attempt to reclaim power.

*The Mandalorian

was an instant hit, delivering two impressive seasons before branching off into *The Book of Boba Fett*. Season 3 shifted the focus to Bo-Katan and her quest to unite the Mandalorian people, sparking debate about who truly deserved the title of "Mandalorian".

From Luke Skywalker's return, to Timothy Olyphant's portrayal of a Tatooine marshal, to Boba Fett's arrival, and recurring appearances by Bill Burr, Mercedes Mone, Amy Sedaris, and the late Carl Weathers, *The Mandalorian

remains one of the most exciting Star Wars projects in history.

1. Andor

*Andor

stands out from the other Disney+ Star Wars shows, taking a bolder, more risky approach. The gamble pays off, delivering a top-tier drama that feels more akin to *Breaking Bad* and *The Sopranos* than the usual Star Wars fare.

*Rogue One

writer Tony Gilroy crafted a complex and gritty antihero story, chronicling Cassian Andor's journey from fugitive to Rebel operative in the five years before *Rogue One*. The show offers a stark and unflinching portrayal of the true cost of rebellion, highlighting the brutal tactics employed against the slow and insidious rise of tyranny.

*Andor

is truly exceptional Star Wars, showcasing a unique tone and style that perfectly complements the story's themes. It delves into real-world issues, making it more relevant to modern audiences than any Star Wars project before it. A masterfully constructed political and espionage thriller, *Andor* quickly won over even those who weren't initially interested in a Cassian Andor origin story. The show even garnered an Outstanding Drama Series Emmy nomination, and was crowned IGN's TV Series of the Year in 2022.

*Andor's

first season boasts phenomenal performances from Diego Luna, Fiona Shaw, Andy Serkis, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Stellan Skarsgård. Skarsgård delivers a powerful speech about the sacrifices he's made and the collateral damage he's caused in order to spark rebellion, culminating in the poignant line, "I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see."

The show's exceptional writing doesn't stop there. Nemik's manifesto, a powerful testament to the ideals of freedom and the inherent fragility of tyranny, remains a timeless message:

"Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction... The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that."

*Andor

is not only the best Disney+ Star Wars show, but a testament to the enduring power of Star Wars to engage and inspire audiences.