Star Wars: A New List
A nerd with decision fatigue and an adoration for her fandom ranks her favorite Star Wars content
By Ella Tracy
Hello, galactic travelers! Welcome to one of the coolest fandoms of all time. In honor of season three of the iconic show “The Mandalorian” releasing on Wednesday, March 1, I’m thrilled to share the following extravagant list ranking my personal favorite Star Wars films and shows. I’ve been a Star Wars fan for most of my life, so picking favorites is like choosing between my cats, but I shall nevertheless endeavor to serve the common good at whatever cost. Without further ado, I invite you to sit back, relax and throw popcorn at me when you disagree as we travel through my rankings and ravings.
The Mandalorian
I feel like this one goes without saying. Created by the legendary Jon Favreau and directed by a band of brilliant nerds, “The Mandalorian” took the internet by storm in 2019 when the beloved Baby Yoda and his silver-clad babysitter arrived on screen. Star Wars fans young and old have united around the awesomeness of the characters, the plot and the action.
Season one of the show has a relatively small scope. The focus on our main characters gave audiences ample time to fall in love. Season two reaches into the broader Star Wars universe with big-picture connections, mind-blowing cameos and signature Star Wars worldbuilding. Season three’s promotional material suggests that the scope will only continue to broaden. But even as the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda explore more corners of the universe, the show never fails to give us precious moments between the father-son duo. The show has not forgotten its heart.
I greatly appreciate “The Mandalorian” from a technical standpoint. There is nothing that takes me out of the show’s magic. I’m never distracted by mediocre acting, writing, visual effects or characters because there is nothing mediocre about this show. I’m more often blown away by the show’s artistry and ability to balance an epic blend of samurai-western action with remarkable emotion. Every department gave the series their all, and the payoff has been astronomical.
2. Star Wars: Rebels
Full stop, this show contains the best character development in all of Star Wars. “Rebels” is an animated series about a found family of absolute dorks who have either really bad or really good luck in their reluctant then determined fight against the Empire. The first two seasons are goofy with innumerable emotional moments. Seasons three and four border on being dark as the show matures with its audience.
I love this show because I can watch it on my own, with my 5-year-old sister, with friends my age or with life-long adult fans. It is fascinating and heartwarming. It makes me laugh and cry and shriek with rage and melt into a puddle of emotions. Not to mention that it brought one of my favorite characters from book to screen for the first time as a primary antagonist (more on this later).
As a fan of this show for years, I am extremely gratified to know that Ezra, Hera, Sabine, Chopper and more of my favorite characters will be making the upgrade to live action in future Star Wars shows. To say that I am beyond excited is an understatement.
3. Star Wars: Clone Wars
“Clone Wars” is extremely nostalgic for me. Whenever I hear the show’s theme song or intro segment, I find myself teary-eyed. This series was one that I watched growing up, meeting new characters and reconnecting with old ones as they journey through the war-torn galaxy. The animated precursor to “Rebels” and “Revenge of the Sith,” “Clone Wars” takes audiences through seven seasons of war against the villainous Confederacy of Independent Systems. Fan-favorite Ahsoka Tano saw her animated debut during this show, along with other beloved characters like Captain Rex, Commander Cody, Fives, Jesse, Commander Wolffe and more. (Yes, those are all clones. And yes, I unapologetically love them.)
This show, like “Rebels,” is one enjoyed by any audience. Viewers can pick episodes that have a self-contained plot or watch an arc that spans four or more episodes. Some stories are weird on another level. Others explore deeply emotional relationships or the rights and wrongs of the war. There’s something for everyone in “Clone Wars,” and it stays true to the soul of Star Wars with witty humor, relatable characters, epic action and touching moments.
4. Andor
After the success of “The Mandalorian,” Lucasfilm released a handful of new shows to deepen audiences’ understandings of select characters or parts of the Star Wars universe. “Andor” is unequivocally my favorite. There is not a single aspect of this show I can criticize. Plot, pacing, tension, acting, characters, worldbuilding and more were the pinnacle of perfection. “Andor” taps into concepts familiar to viewers like oppression and determined rebellion, violence driven by fear and violence driven by justice. Numerous bone-chilling monologues delivered throughout the show could be referring to events in Star Wars or our own world.
“Andor” is well-known for its blatant critique of the vicious Galactic Empire and fearless examination of the methods used to oppose evil. Luthen Rael, a fearless leader in the show, said it best: “I’m condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them.” Characters are constantly asking if the right way to rebel is the best way. I’d argue that not a single character is exactly right or wrong. It’s a mature take on the Star Wars universe, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
5. A New Hope
The original Star Wars trilogy makes it on this list because they’re amazing movies but also because the universe that I and others adore wouldn’t exist without them. “A New Hope” literally doesn’t make sense, but it’s so epic that we can look past the bad physics and hero complexes and massacre of everyone on the Death Star.
“A New Hope” is timeless. I fall back in love with Star Wars every time I watch it. I cheer on the cohort of loveable characters with the same childlike enthusiasm I had watching this film as a child. This movie is a love letter to my inner child who imagined soaring through the stars on the Millennium Falcon, fighting the Empire at Princess Leia’s side, wielding a lightsaber and the Force against menacing evil and standing up for what is right alongside my closest friends.
For me, that childlikeness is the essence of Star Wars.
6. Return of the Jedi
Was this the coolest movie made in the 1980s? Probably. I hadn’t been born yet, but I like to believe there wasn’t anything released in the ‘80s that was more epic than “Return of the Jedi.”
The spectacular culmination of the first trilogy is filled with equal parts signature Star Wars action and heart-wrenching emotion. Our beloved characters are reunited for one last explosive swing at the Empire. Justice is served, love is found, they live happily ever after and there are Ewoks. What else could you ask for in a movie?
7. The Empire Strikes Back
This is my least preferred film of the original trilogy only because Hoth is too cold and I prefer to escape to Endor for flawless forest climate. And I love Ewoks more than tauntauns.
Nevertheless, I greatly appreciate “Empire Strikes Back” for its insane worldbuilding, exploration of in-universe technology and continued use of remarkable puppetry. The film is definitely a plot movie that sets up “Return of the Jedi,” but it has its moments: Darth Vader’s iconic declaration of “I am your father,” Luke training with Jedi Master Yoda, Boba Fett (he is the moment), Lando Calrissian being a suave dork and Princess Leia continuing to be my hero for obvious reasons.
8. Rogue One
This movie is easily the best Star Wars film released in recent years. Featuring characters that eventually resurface in “Andor,” “Rogue One” is the first step in our journey to discover that the Rebellion is perhaps not as perfect as we were led to believe.
I adore this movie for its fearlessness. It takes risks with its storytelling. It is bold with its artistry. Its characters are conflicted and deeply human. Similar to “Andor,” it’s not always clear how to differentiate between right and wrong. It’s gritty and real and deeply emotional.
My only lingering frustration is the ending. How dare you cause me such emotional damage, Lucasfilm. How dare.
9. Revenge of the Sith
Full disclosure: I am well aware that the script, visual effects and acting in this film are … questionable, but I would be doing a disservice to the characters and the memes if the third prequel movie didn’t receive a bit of love.
I’m one of those fans who sometimes forgets how this movie ends because I’ve gaslit myself into denying the heartbreak. For better or for worse, this allows me to always be astonished by how insanely cool the finale is. In my dreams, I can wield a lightsaber as well as Obi-Wan and Anakin. (In my dreams, Anakin never becomes Darth Vader, but that’s a fanfic for another time.) I’m also a huge fan of this movie’s soundtrack. John Williams’s music always blows me away, but “Revenge of the Sith” takes it to another level for scenes like Order 66 and the final battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan.
My favorite way of keeping this movie in memory is by telling people I have the high ground whenever I’m remotely taller than them. They definitely shouldn’t underestimate my power.
Honorable Mention: Timothy Zahn’s Books
At this point, I doubt anyone is surprised that some of my favorite books of all time are Star Wars fanfiction. Author Timothy Zahn has been writing Star Wars books for more than 3 decades. His earlier books are considered legends – they aren’t compatible with Disney’s version of the Star Wars universe. It is my personal theory that his most recent six novels – which are canon in Disney’s universe – will become required reading for several future Star Wars projects. As a huge fan of Zahn’s phenomenal protagonist, Grand Admiral Thrawn, I could not be happier to set up a cork board with red yarn to explain how the plot of the books tie into the broader live-action storyline. Some may argue that the only reason I want to see Zahn’s plots come to the screen is Thrawn himself, which I will not deny, but I will also point out that Zahn’s storylines are better than almost everything Lucasfilm has written ever.
I suppose only time will confirm or disprove my theories.
---------------
That concludes the semi-successful saga of my hatred to pick favorites. Stop by later if you want to know what order to watch Star Wars films and shows in. Or if you want a watch party buddy. Or if you like talking about intergalactic politics.
Until then, may the Force be with you.
