This article was originally published on SFFGazette.com – head there now for the latest Star Wars updates!
Love it or hate it, Rotten Tomatoes remains a key part of whether moviegoers decide to check out the latest releases in theaters. However, we’ve also seen those all-important percentage scores become every bit as important for TV shows, especially when there are so many options out there thanks to an endless list of streaming platforms.
In the case of the Star Wars franchise, recent years have seen Lucasfilm shift focus to prioritising exploring that Galaxy out on the small screen rather than the big one.
They’ve found great success on Disney+ in the wake of what proved to be a disappointing end to the Skywalker Saga, and there has yet to be a single “Rotten” outing. From The Mandalorian‘s debut season to the surprisingly divisive The Acolyte, each of these live-action shows stacks up very differently when their scores are placed side-by-side.
To find out which of them comes out on top, simply click on the “Next”https://comicbookmovie.com/”View List” button down below…
6. The Book Of Boba Fett
Score: 66%
Rotten or Fresh? Fresh
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.
Boba Fett’s return in The Mandalorian was welcomed by fans, as was a post-credits scene at the end of season 2 revealing that the bounty hunter had decided to take over Tatooine. Unfortunately, his solo series was a mess, with the time he spent alongside the Tusken Raiders proving to be thoroughly underwhelming.
The scenes set in the present day were a little better, but The Book of Boba Fett was at its best when it became The Mandalorian season 2.5. The iconic bounty hunter deserved better, and while it had its moments, this show wasn’t what fans wanted.
5. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Score: 82%
Rotten or Fresh? Fresh
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.
Yeah, we don’t get this one at all. Obi-Wan Kenobi was a Star Wars fan’s dream come true, with heaps of epic moments and one of the franchise’s greatest lightsaber duels of all time.
Admittedly, there were some low points, and the production values occasionally fell short due to an overreliance on The Volume. While this series still worked as an “inbetweenquel,” Hayden Christensen’s phenomenal return as Darth Vader alone should mean this show places much higher on the list.
4. Ahsoka
Score: 86%
Rotten or Fresh? Fresh
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.
Ahsoka was a strong series but mostly set the stage for what’s to come rather than serving as a satisfying experience in its own right. It deepened the franchise’s lore and included heaps of fan-pleasing moments; even so, we were left with more questions than answers.
Essentially Star Wars Rebels season 5, the series was a great showcase for its characters and delivered Hayden Christensen’s best performance as Anakin Skywalker. Despite not being overly accessible to fans unfamiliar with The Clone Wars and Rebels, it’s still essential viewing.
3. The Mandalorian
Score: 90% – Season 1 (93%), Season 2 (93%), Season 3 (85%)
Rotten or Fresh? Fresh
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 (Season 1).
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 (Season 2).
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 (Season 3).
Arguably among the greatest Star Wars stories ever told, The Mandalorian is far from over, and those first two seasons are hard to find fault with. The show has proven to be the perfect way to expand this franchise in a fan-pleasing manner, even if season 3 struggled to live up to the first two batches of episodes.
That perhaps took too much of the spotlight away from Din Djarin. However, with his and Grogu’s beautiful father/son relationship still very much the heart of this series, we can’t wait to see where it takes us next when The Mandalorian and Grogu movie arrives in theaters.
2. The Acolyte
Score: 91%
Rotten or Fresh? Fresh
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.
While we were fortunate enough to see four episodes for review, we know many of you will have only watched The Acolyte‘s two-part premiere as we write this. Despite the expected backlash aimed at the show’s diverse cast, this first live-action exploration of The High Republic Era is off to a strong start.
Whether it can maintain that remains to be seen; the leads are compelling, as is the mystery villain (currently known only as The Master). This impressive score could soon slip, especially if The Acolyte fails to stick the landing with its central mystery.
1. Andor
Score: 96%
Rotten or Fresh? Fresh
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.
Hailed by some fans as the greatest Star Wars story ever told, it’s fair to say Andor is a very special series. Despite a slow start, and a perhaps too-detailed look into the first year of the five years before Rogue One, there were many times when the show was positively breathtaking.
Whether it’s the incredible dialogue, a long list of superb performances, or a fascinating glimpse into the Rebellion’s formation, we can forgive that initial lack of momentum to confidently say it deserves to sit here (for those prison-set episodes alone).