Bringing the galaxy far, far away from the big screen to television has been harder than lifting an X-Wing out of a swamp. Though called unremarkable by early critics, the animated Ewoks series (1985–86) featuring the characters introduced in The Return of the Jedi marked the franchise’s first real foray into TV. Forty years later, we fortunately have more than a handful of series to choose from. Here are some of the best Star Wars TV shows.
What are the best Star Wars TV shows as of June 2025?
Although the full franchise series spectrum can be considered somewhat of a mixed bag, there are plenty of options for what fans and critics consider the best Star Wars TV shows. Star Wars: Clone Wars and Andor consistently rank high, as does The Mandalorian. Honorable mentions not included in our list include Ahsoka and The Bad Batch.
Andor
Andor sits at the top of virtually every ranked list of Star Wars TV shows — and for good reason. While its premise might sound straightforward — following Cassian Andor, a thief who becomes an unexpected leader during the rise of the Rebel Alliance — the series delivers so much more.
Gritty and grounded, Andor removes the sheen of the Star Wars universe. In doing so, the central conflict between the Empire and the Rebellion feels less like a space opera and more like a meticulously crafted World War I drama about inching the front line forward. Add political intrigue, and you’ve got a good show.
While we might root for our titular figure, the series doesn’t push a narrative of clear heroes or villains, and that moral ambiguity makes for seriously compelling television. Critics and fans agree: If you haven’t checked this show out yet, start here.
Star Wars: Clone Wars
Star Wars: Clone Wars is an animated series produced by Lucasfilm and Cartoon Network Studios for Cartoon Network. Set during the timeline of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, it features iconic characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and others. The series premiered in 2003 and was directed by animation legend Genndy Tartakovsky. While some might be quick to skip animated work in favor of more recent live-action shows, Clone Wars is essential viewing for franchise fans.
Star Wars: Clone Wars ran for three seasons and earned multiple awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. It was also the first Star Wars television series to follow the short-lived Ewoks from the 1980s. Its success played a crucial role in paving the way for Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Considered part of the official Star Wars canon, Star Wars: The Clone Wars helped redeem George Lucas after the late 1990s, early 2000s prequel trilogy landed with a resounding “meh” for many fans and critics. Sure, the prequels became an elder millennial zeitgeist, but they still left a lot to be desired.
The Clone Wars took the awkward plots of the prequel era and gave them depth through smart storytelling, layered political intrigue, and real character development (we see you, Padmé!). Not to mention, Anakin’s turn to the dark side finally feels earned. Set between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, the series revisited characters, expanded the mythology of the universe, and added emotional weight and nuance where the films often fell flat.
The show ran from 2008 to 2020 with 133 episodes — so if you haven’t started yet, there’s plenty to catch up on.
The Mandalorian
From creator Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian was the first live-action Star Wars TV series — and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The premise is classic rogue space western: “After the fall of the Galactic Empire, a lone gunfighter makes his way through the outer reaches of a lawless galaxy.”
Add Pedro Pascal in the lead role for the first two seasons, and surround him with unexpected yet compelling actors like Werner Herzog, and you’ve got a show that appeals to everyone, from die-hard franchise fans to highbrow indie film aficionados.
There’s plenty to unpack in terms of critical reception, fan response, and the series’ current direction. (Spoiler: Season three took some hits, and season four is unlikely.) Still, The Mandalorian remains essential viewing in the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars Rebels
Star Wars Rebels (2014–18) is a 3D animated adventure series that follows a scrappy, street-smart crew aboard the starship Ghost as they rise up against the growing power of the Empire. Set fifteen years after The Revenge of the Sith, the ragtag crew made up of a pilot, a former Lasat honor guard, a Mandalorian warrior, a Jedi padawan, and a droid. After running into a Force-sensitive outcast, the group becomes a central part of the spark of rebellion against the Empire.
Tasked with the tough job of following The Clone Wars, the series does a good job of bridging the narrative gap between Episode III and Episode IV. With a stellar 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Rebels is both a critical and fan favorite. The show delivers a strong script, memorable original characters with meaningful development, plus new animation that moved us away from the style seen in The Clone Wars.
How we picked the best Star Wars TV shows
With so many Star Wars TV shows to choose from, narrowing it down to just five was no easy task. Our picks are based on a combination of critical acclaim, fan reception, and the significance of each show within the franchise.
If you’re thinking of making your own list and want to watch every Star Wars TV show or film in release order, you can stream them all on Disney+. Stay tuned, there’s more to come.
