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Erik Amaya
Guest
Star Wars TV Shows Ranked by Tomatometer
The latest: Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord: Season 1 is Certified Fresh!
From 1978, with the one-time airing of The Star Wars Holiday Special, to the early 21st century, the Galaxy Far, Far Away’s relationship to television was fraught with difficulty. A handful of live-action TV movies and animated series in the 1980s proved the resources did not yet exist to produce the look and feel of Star Wars in a weekly format — although the Ewoks cartoon got pretty close by surviving for two whole seasons. Flash forward to 2003, and the Genndy Tartakovsky–produced Star Wars: The Clone Wars offered a way to dramatize Star Wars stories on television in a compelling and cost-effective way.
Then the subsequent 3D-animated Clone Wars series in 2008 started a tradition of Star Wars television that continues today with animated shows like Star Wars: The Bad Batch and the live-action success of The Mandalorian, the latter becoming a gateway to an ever-evolving story tangential to the Skywalker Saga, but just as epic. Much of that story can be attributed to 2008’s Clone Wars supervising director, Dave Filoni, who went on to create or co-create most of the extant Star Wars television, soaking in Ahsoka’s presence across the galaxy. But then The Acolyte was cancelled after just a single season.
Now, fans are stoked to see Disney+’s newest series, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, which is Certified Fresh with a 98% on the Tomatometer and a 90% on the Popcornmeter. Critic Jonathan Sims writes, “the first eight episodes […] waste no time announcing themselves with confidence, style, and a surprising level of grit.” See where it places as we rank Star Wars TV shows, with Certified Fresh seasons first.
#1
Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord
Synopsis: After the Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire.
Starring: Sam Witwer, Gideon Adlon, Wagner Moura, Richard Ayoade
#2
Andor: Season 2
Critics Consensus: Investing startling conviction and gravity into the Star Wars sandbox, Andor's superb second season lights a fire of rebellion that heats up the screen.
Starring: Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O'Reilly, Forest Whitaker
#3
Andor: Season 1
Critics Consensus: A gritty adventure told from the ground perspective of the Empire's reign, Andor is an exceptionally mature and political entry into the Star Wars mythos -- and one of the best yet.
Starring: Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O'Reilly, Forest Whitaker
#4
Star Wars: Visions: Volume 1
Critics Consensus: Gorgeously animated and wildly creative, Visions is an eclectic, but wholly enjoyable collection of Star Wars stories that breathe new life into the galaxy.
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kimiko Glenn, Karen Fukuhara, Jamie Chung
#5
The Mandalorian: Season 1
Critics Consensus: Action-packed and expertly-crafted -- if at times a bit too withholding -- The Mandalorian is a welcome addition to the Star Wars universe that benefits greatly from the cuteness of its cargo.
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito
#6
The Mandalorian: Season 2
Critics Consensus: With fan favorites and fresh faces galore both in front of and behind the camera,The Mandalorian's sophomore season solidifies its place as one of Star Wars's most engaging and exciting sagas.
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito
#7
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew: Season 1
Critics Consensus: Evoking childlike wonder, Skeleton Crew is a swashbuckling Star Wars adventure that refreshingly keeps things simple.
Starring: Tunde Adebimpe, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Shane Almagor
#8
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Season 1
Critics Consensus: The Bad Batch's beautifully animated adventure may be too lore heavy for casual viewers, but fans will enjoy diving deeper into this dastardly cast of characters.
Starring: Dee Bradley Baker, Ming-Na Wen, Stephen Stanton, Andrew Kishino
#9
Star Wars: Ahsoka: Season 1
Critics Consensus: Elevated by Rosario Dawson's strong performance in the title role and a solid story that balances new and old elements of the Star Wars saga, Ahsoka is a must-watch for fans of the franchise.
Starring: Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ray Stevenson
#10
The Mandalorian: Season 3
Critics Consensus: Mileage may vary by a couple parsecs as The Mandalorian becomes more and more about the connective tissue of broader Star Wars lore, but this remains one of the most engaging adventures in a galaxy far, far away.
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Omid Abtahi
#11
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Limited Series
Critics Consensus: This won't be the Obi-Wan Kenobi some viewers are looking for, but Ewan McGregor's soulful performance and some refreshing twists make this a satisfying -- if circuitous -- addition to the Star Wars saga.
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton
#12
Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1
Critics Consensus: Taking fresh risks with Star Wars lore while having infectious fun playing with the stylistic trappings of a galaxy far, far away, The Acolyte is a Padawan series with the potential to become a Master.
Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Carrie-Anne Moss
#13
LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)
Critics Consensus: The Force isn't fully with this Lego Star Wars adventure, but its affectionate franchise callbacks and self-aware humor should please fans looking to spend their holidays in a galaxy far, far away...
Synopsis: "The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special" reunites Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, Rose and the droids for a joyous feast on Life Day. Rey sets off... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Matt Lanter
Directed By: Ken Cunningham
#14
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Season 7
Critics Consensus: Thanks to its beautifully animated action-sequences and its impressively layered storytelling, The Clone Wars' final chapter affirms its place as one of Star Wars' greatest entries.
Starring: Tom Kane, Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor
#15
Star Wars: Visions: Volume 2
Critics Consensus: Animated with all the vibrancy of a crackling lightsaber, Star Wars: Visions' second volume is the work of Jedi Masters.
Starring: Amparo Noguera, Cynthia Erivo, Bebe Cave, Úrsula Corberó
#16
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi: Season 1
Critics Consensus: Under the reliable stewardship of Dave Filoni, Tales of the Jedi is an absorbing expansion of Star Wars lore that will delight Padawan-level fans and encyclopedic Force scholars alike.
Starring: Ashley Eckstein, Corey Burton, Liam Neeson, Micheál Richardson
#17
Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld: Season 1
Starring: Nika Futterman, Corey Burton, A.J. LoCascio, Lane Factor
#18
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Season 6
Critics Consensus: Sophisticated storytelling and quality animation make the sixth season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars a fitting end to the series.
Starring: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, Tom Kane, James Arnold Taylor
#19
Star Wars Rebels: Season 4
Critics Consensus: The Force is with these Rebels in a thrilling conclusion that plays to its characters' strengths while serving up plenty of galactic spectacle.
Starring: David Oyelowo, Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Steve Blum
#20
Star Wars Rebels: Season 2
Starring: David Oyelowo, Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Steve Blum
#21
Star Wars Rebels: Season 3
Starring: David Oyelowo, Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Steve Blum
#22
LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales (2021)
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: After the events of “The Rise of Skywalker,” Poe and BB-8 must make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar where they meet the... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Jake Green, Raphael Alejandro, Dana Snyder, Tony Hale
Directed By: Ken Cunningham
#23
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Season 3
Starring: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, Tom Kane, James Arnold Taylor
#24
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Season 5
Starring: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, Tom Kane, James Arnold Taylor
#25
Star Wars Resistance: Season 1
Critics Consensus: Star Wars: Resistance's streamlined story sets the stage for exciting adventures -- and seems poised to explore a canvas stocked with immediately relatable characters and plenty of potential.
Starring: Christopher Sean, Suzie McGrath, Scott Lawrence, Myrna Velasco
#26
Star Wars Rebels: Season 1
Critics Consensus: Rebels adds new dimension to an unexplored sector of the Star Wars timeline, inserting a ragtag group of lovable characters into a galactic adventure that all ages can enjoy.
Starring: David Oyelowo, Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Steve Blum
#27
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Season 2
Critics Consensus: The second bundle of The Bad Batch retains all the same virtues and vices as the first: a slick Star Wars adventure geared toward diehard fans at the expense of more casual viewers.
Starring: Dee Bradley Baker, Ming-Na Wen, Stephen Stanton, Andrew Kishino
#28
LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation (2022)
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Looking for a much-needed break from stormtroopers and TIE fighters, Finn arranges a surprise vacation for his friends Rey, Poe, Rose, Chewie, BB-8, R2-D2, and... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Weird Al Yankovic, Yvette Nicole Brown, Thomas Lennon, Paul F. Tompkins
Directed By: Ken Cunningham
#29
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Season 3
Critics Consensus: Mobilizing for one last hurrah with plenty of easter eggs and rousing action still left in its arsenal, The Bad Batch ends on a good note.
Starring: Dee Bradley Baker, Ming-Na Wen, Stephen Stanton, Andrew Kishino
#30
Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: Limited Series
Critics Consensus: Star Wars takes a walk on the Dark Side in this fleet and filling animated series, which conjures just enough excitement to get fans' lightsabers rattling.
Starring: Diana Lee Inosanto, Meredith Salenger, Rya Kihlstedt, Lars Mikkelsen
#31
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Season 1
Starring: Mat Lucas, James Arnold Taylor, Tom Kane, Grey DeLisle
#32
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Season 1
Critics Consensus: With an agreeably entertaining first season, Star Wars: The Clone Wars opens a fun, kid-friendly chapter of the franchise's sprawling mythology.
Starring: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, Tom Kane, James Arnold Taylor
#33
The Book of Boba Fett: Season 1
Critics Consensus: The Book of Boba Fett could never match the adventures that existed in fans' imaginations for decades, but it earns its commission with spectacular set pieces and Temuera Morrison's commanding presence.
Starring: Temuera Morrison, Ming-Na Wen, Pedro Pascal
#34
Star Wars: Holiday Special (1978)
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels
Directed By: Steven D. Binder
#35
Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984)
Critics Consensus: Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure struggles with wooden performances and a formulaic plot that fails to capture the charm and excitement of the larger Star Wars universe.
Synopsis: When a family's spacecraft crashes on the forest moon of planet Endor, teenage son Mace (Eric Walker) and his little sister, Cindel (Aubree Miller), find... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Eric Walker, Aubree Miller, Warwick Davis, Fionnula Flanagan
Directed By: John Korty
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