How does The Book of Boba Fett fare amongst the other adventures from a galaxy far, far away?
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00:00So, this is a big one. With so many movies, TV shows and holiday specials, the Star Wars
00:05canon is only going to get bigger from here on out. And this franchise means something
00:12different to everyone, which makes a list like this ranking everything a truly imposing
00:17task because I'm not going to please anyone. Hell, I might not even please half of you.
00:21Quite simply, we aren't going to agree on everything here. And you know what? I'd
00:25have it no other way. As long as the criticism is in good faith, I genuinely can't wait
00:29to see what people would chop and change compared to the order we've listed here. And that's
00:34because, no matter what, I think we can all agree that Star Wars is bloody good, isn't
00:39it? So, with that in mind, I'm Josh from WhatCulture.com and this is Star Wars Every
00:43Movie and TV Show Ranked Worst to Best.
00:4622. Star Wars Holiday Special
00:49There are a few Star Wars projects that are outright bad, but the Holiday Special is sadly
00:54one of them. To call it a travesty would be an understatement. In fact, it's such a
00:58vilified work of temporary insanity that George Lucas once famously said that he'd
01:03smash every copy with a sledgehammer if he had the chance. Directed by Stephen Binder,
01:08the 1978 TV special takes place just after the events of A New Hope, and follows Han
01:14Solo and Chewbacca as they race to visit the Wookiee's family whilst being pursued by
01:18the Empire. With its atrociously cheap sets and painfully uncomfortable performances,
01:24the Holiday Special really is as bad as it sounds, featuring nonsense sing-alongs, heart-formed
01:29characters and the poor introduction of future franchise legend, Boba Fett.
01:3421. The Ewoks Spin-Offs
01:37If there were any characters in the Star Wars universe who didn't need their own spin-offs,
01:41it probably would have to be the Ewoks who were first introduced in Return of the Jedi.
01:46But in yet another spell of madness, Lucasfilm thought the idea showed promise, so an animated
01:51series titled Ewoks and two made-for-TV movies, those being Caravan of Courage and The Battle
01:56of Endor, were released between 1985 and 1986. And sadly again, aside from the Holiday Special,
02:04Star Wars as a franchise has never been more empty or meritless than this.
02:0920. Droids
02:11Droids, also known as The Adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2, was originally aired with its companion
02:17Ewoks, and only just manages to rank higher than that misfire because it includes Anthony Daniels.
02:22With the same dull humour and technically unimpressive aesthetic, Droids is yet another
02:27wonky attempt to make a kids' TV show by people who seem to have never interacted with a child,
02:32or Star Wars, before in their lives. In attempting to tell audiences what C-3PO and R2 were up to
02:39between the fall of the Republic and the birth of the Empire, the thankfully short-lived series
02:43takes much of the magic out of their development, so much so that it's occasionally sad to watch.
02:4919. Star Wars The Clone Wars
02:52This intriguing animated movie was released in 2008 as the feature-length pilot to the upcoming
02:58Clone Wars TV show, and despite some inescapable flaws, remains a landmark installment for the
03:03franchise's most recent era. Introducing fan-favourite Ahsoka Tano to the saga as the
03:08Padawan Learner of Anakin, the movie follows the pair as they engage in the early stages of the
03:12eponymous war, and are eventually called in to help Jabba the Hutt find his missing son.
03:17Split into shifting segments though, The Clone Wars is choppy and seemingly unfinished,
03:22watching like three different episodes spliced together, but it does well to set the table for
03:27things to come, especially where the war and characters are concerned. From this point on,
03:31things would never be the same again, and Star Wars fans are still reaping the benefits of the
03:35stage it's set.
03:3718. Attack of the Clones
03:39Attack of the Clones is the most disappointing of the prequel trilogy because it's highs
03:43are so bloody high, but good lord are its lows low. For one thing, this was the prequel that
03:49featured the epic Battle of Geonosis, the introduction of the Clone Army,
03:52as well as Anakin and Obi-Wan clashing with the nefarious Count Dooku.
03:56In terms of world-building and character development, it's great to revisit Attack
03:59of the Clones and realise just how much of it really adds to the Skywalker saga,
04:04bringing Anakin's darkness out and allowing the galaxy to get one step closer to war.
04:09The problem with all of this though, and much of the prequel trilogy in general,
04:13is the execution, which comes complete with a laughably bad script, atrocious performances,
04:18and a central romance between Anakin and Padme that borders on unforgivable. The groundwork is
04:23there, setting up big things, but it's seriously kinda hard to get through at times.
04:2817. Resistance
04:30One of the more underrated additions to the franchise, Resistance is set before the events
04:34of the sequel trilogy, and follows the Rebels as they spy on the looming threat of the First
04:39Order. With sharp visuals and a terrific voice cast such as sequel star Oscar Isaac,
04:44the two-season exploration of the New Republic and the inner workings of the Rebel Alliance
04:48makes for both engaging and easily digestible fun for the whole family. It's not particularly
04:54challenging and suffers in part due to its lack of necessity to the overall story of the films,
04:59but Resistance is basically what Ewoks and Droids tried to do in the 80s,
05:03be an exciting kid-friendly adventure show with heart, soul, and wit.
05:0816. Visions
05:11Visions is unlike anything else Star Wars has ever produced. Currently consisting of one season and
05:17nine episodes, it's an anime anthology series that's not canon, but nonetheless is totally
05:22in keeping with the legacy of the franchise. Each episode of Visions forms its own story,
05:27produced by seven different Japanese animation studios, giving free reign on what stories they
05:32wanted to tell and how they used the franchise's mythology. The final results of this experimental
05:37mission are to die for, thanks in large part to its stunning visual appeal and powerful stories
05:43that are both unique and recognisable to long-time fans. It may not be the Star Wars that fans know
05:49and love, but Visions' fresh take on the galaxy far, far away is impossible not to fall for.
05:5515. The Phantom Menace
05:57The Phantom Menace definitely, definitely has its issues, many of them glaring. There's the
06:02introduction of Jar Jar Binks, Young Anakin's many cringeworthy lines, and the heavy-handed
06:07politics of the Republic's worldbuilding. But there are more virtues to the prequel trilogy's
06:12debut than you may remember. Amongst them, the strong performances and chemistry of Ewan McGregor
06:17and Liam Neeson, the development of the Jedi Council, and John Williams' epic score. Then,
06:23there's the film's highlight, the Duel of the Fates, in which Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn clash
06:28with the silent villain Darth Maul, setting the stage for the chaotic war between light and dark
06:33that colours the entire saga. Its high points might not be enough to overcome its subtle-as-a-rock
06:39storytelling, strangely convoluted mythology or tacky humour, but the Phantom Menace is far from
06:44being an all-out failure just because of them. 14. The Book of Boba Fett
06:48The most recent series to be added to Star Wars' back catalogue, The Book of Boba Fett
06:53acts as a thrilling lore-heavy continuation of several major plotlines set up in its
06:58groundbreaking predecessor, The Mandalorian. Most enjoyably, though, is the way the show
07:02has finally given Boba Fett a chance to live up to his massively overhyped legacy,
07:07portraying him with the steely determination and general toughness that he's always deserved.
07:11The show is still in its infancy, so it has some key problems currently weighing it down,
07:16from its struggles to actually keep Boba involved in the action to its too-clean TV aesthetic,
07:21but it's already got more than enough twists, turns and long-awaited character interactions
07:26to give it a strong start and a bright future. 13. The Rise of Skywalker
07:31As the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, The Rise of Skywalker had a lot riding on its
07:36shoulders, and for the most part, it kinda squandered its potential. Despite some bright
07:41spots found in the bracing duels between Rey and Kylo Ren and its striking visual flair,
07:45the movie offers up a barrage of unwanted twists such as the sudden return of Emperor Palpatine
07:51and nonsensical character motivations. But still, there is a lot to love in here. It's clear that
07:56the cast still really care about this material, and J.J. Abrams is trying his hardest to wrap
08:01up a sequel trilogy that clearly had loads of holes poked into it. It's not quite as divisive
08:07as its predecessor, but The Rise of Skywalker certainly has as many haters as it does fans.
08:14Solo One of the more underrated
08:16installments of the Star Wars saga, Solo's main issue stems from just how safe and arguably
08:22unneeded it is. But even then, its visual extravagance and exciting action does make
08:27it a worthwhile watch. Casting as Soso Alden Ehrenreich as the eponymous smuggler and emerging
08:32galactic hero, the prequel sheds light on Han's fun pre-Rebel days, the origins of his relationship
08:38with Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian, and his famously speedy Kessel Run originally teased
08:44in A New Hope. It's genuinely enjoyable stuff as well, managing to pack enough action and gorgeous
08:49effects into the mix to overcome the issues with its predictable on-the-nose drama. Yes,
08:54poring over the vast Star Wars catalogue, Solo does feel like the biggest cash grab it's ever
08:59clutched for, but it's far from the all-out failure that many wished to paint it as.
09:04The Bad Batch
09:05The unexpected but welcome sequel to The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch follows a group of mutated
09:10clones who survive Order 66 with their minds intact, and set out as hidden guns for hire in
09:15a world far removed from the one they once fought for. With awe-inspiring animation,
09:20it's already proven itself to be a magnificent addition to the canon. The voice work of D.
09:25Bradley Baker, mixed with the tightly plotted writing that effortlessly continues several
09:30major storylines set up in both The Clone Wars and Rebels, has made The Bad Batch yet another
09:34chronic success for Star Wars' animated landscape. And that's without getting into the richly
09:39envisioned clone protagonists, all of whom, especially Hunter, Omega and Crosshair, are
09:44surely some of the most colourful characters the franchise has ever produced. Bring on the future
09:49of this show! The Mandalorian
09:53The Star Wars series that nobody knew they needed, The Mandalorian is about to enter its
09:57third season and cement itself as a classic of the franchise. Thanks in large part to its infusion of
10:02Mandalorian mythology, heavily influenced by the works of TV shows like The Clone Wars and Rebels,
10:08and gripping action sequences, the series has hit new highs with each episode, and two seasons in
10:14seems to have single-handedly ushered in a new great era for the franchise's fans. Its clean
10:19production and slight overindulgence on fanservice has dampened things at times, sure, but The
10:24Mandalorian is still modern Star Wars at its best. Revenge of the Sith
10:29Revenge of the Sith suffers from many of the same flaws as the rest of the prequels,
10:33most notably a melodramatic script emphasised by atrocious acting and rushed payoffs. But,
10:40and it is a big but, aside from its detours into ridiculousness and memeability, it's actually
10:46pretty damn good. Especially the second half. Between some really, really good performances
10:51like Ewan McGregor's, the haunting execution of the Order 66 sequence, and the way that it leans
10:57into the good vs evil theme of the saga, there is so much to love in this movie. It's not perfect,
11:03few movies are, but Revenge of the Sith captures the magic and darkness of the Star Wars saga
11:08almost as well as the originals, only with more CGI Yoda and coughing cyborgs who never
11:13live up to their potential. Also, who could possibly hate the final duel between Obi-Wan
11:18and Anakin? It makes the movie better whether you initially liked it or not.
11:228. Rebels
11:24Set several years before the events of A New Hope, Rebels ran for 4 seasons and 75 episodes,
11:30and shed some revealing light on the early years of the original Rebel Alliance and the effects
11:35the fall of the Republic had on the galaxy. Uniquely animated to suit the original Star
11:39Wars concept art by Ralph McQuarrie, Rebels never shies away from the darkest recesses of the saga,
11:45but with its light humour and endearing gaggle of anti-heroes, makes itself fun for the whole
11:50family as well as top-tier Star Wars through and through.
11:537. The Force Awakens
11:55In terms of story, it's tough to argue that The Force Awakens is mostly a rehash of the original
12:00trilogy. You know, an orphan with a forgotten past is thrust into an intergalactic war and
12:04finds their true calling as a Jedi Knight. But whilst its plot is derivative and sets in motion
12:10a story that leaves the events of the previous 6 movies a little forgotten, there is still so
12:15much to love about the first chapter of the sequel trilogy. For one thing, there's the
12:19characters, including troubled survivor Rey, roguish fighter pilot Poe, former stormtrooper
12:24Finn, and conflicted antagonist Kylo Ren, all of whom work well with legacy characters such as Han
12:30and Leia. Even with its divisive cliffhanger and predictable story, The Force Awakens is heaps of
12:36fun, and captures the spirit of the franchise's message and characters beautifully. It's aged
12:41very well and deserves a major reappraisal.
12:446. Return of the Jedi
12:45The most common complaint leveled towards Return of the Jedi is that it's a little bit too silly,
12:50especially when compared to its two classic predecessors. Ewoks and the cartoonish Battle
12:55of Endor notwithstanding though, the final chapter of the original trilogy might actually be the
13:00darkest of the three films, thanks in large part to Jabba the Hutt's general vileness and Luke
13:05Skywalker's final clash with his soon-to-be-redeemed father. But it's not all bleak,
13:11instead striking a rewarding balance between the saga's heavier twists and its exciting sense of
13:17wonder and adventure. Even in its lesser moments, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.
13:22Return of the Jedi brings the trilogy to a fantastic conclusion all told,
13:26tying up loose ends and riveting character arcs with violent and heartwarming payoffs to spare.
13:325. The Last Jedi
13:34Without question the most divisive addition to Star Wars' mighty back catalogue,
13:38The Last Jedi followed on from the cliffhanger of The Force Awakens as Rey seeks a reclusive
13:43Luke's guidance on honing her skills as a Jedi. Directed by Rian Johnson, The Last Jedi digs deep
13:49into the characters at its centre more intensely than any Star Wars vehicle before or since.
13:54As Luke grapples with the results of his regrettable actions, Rey struggles to
13:58control her mysterious powers and Kylo Ren seesaws between villainy and anti-hero.
14:04On top of that it's also the most visually beautiful chapter of the entire saga,
14:07rich with vibrant colour, impressive set pieces and a final act showdown between Luke and Kylo
14:12that's one of the best scenes in the franchise. It's not flawless of course, I mean Leia travelling
14:18through space is a little bit silly, whilst the Finn and Rose subplot does feel like directionless
14:23filler. But it's a daring adventure that takes risks and makes them work much better than expected.
14:284. Rogue One
14:30Yep, that's right I guess, the one without any Jedi and a large ensemble of never-before-seen
14:35characters is in fact one of the best Star Wars projects of all time. Yet another story to take
14:40place before the events of A New Hope, Rogue One follows a group of mismatched rebel soldiers as
14:45they risk everything to steal the Death Star plans from a highly protected Imperial planet.
14:50Visually gorgeous and rife with subtle tragic characters, we really wish we had more time,
14:55the prequel source thanks to its avoidance of formula. There's no prophecies here or
15:00superpowered beings battling for the galaxy, just everyday people with an eclectic set of
15:05skills willing to fight for what they believe in. Rogue One is epic, harrowing and unpredictable
15:11stuff and makes the events of the original trilogy that much richer to revisit. It really
15:15is that great. 3. The Clone Wars
15:19The best Star Wars show on offer, The Clone Wars is the franchise's most expansive and
15:24eye-opening descent into the complexities and inner workings of the galaxy,
15:29confidently shedding light on its politics, the Jedi Order and the turmoil of conflict.
15:34Focusing on a wide variety of characters during the titular war, the seven-season series told
15:39stories about rookie clones, one-off Jedi, bounty hunters, behind-the-scenes political betrayal
15:44and more, with each development adding a new layer of brilliance to the saga's impressive
15:49world-building. Aside from its stunning animation, epic battles and endless supply of
15:54engrossing characters though, The Clone Wars' true power came from how it explored the downfall
15:59of Anakin Skywalker, his Padawan Ahsoka and his master Obi-Wan. The Clone Wars is such a rewarding
16:05experience, mixing the franchise's humour, darkness and heartbreak together perfectly,
16:10that there's only two things on this list that can beat it. 2. A New Hope
16:15It all started here, with an orphan farmer called Luke Skywalker who escaped from his
16:20mundane existence and, along with a princess, an infamous smuggler, a wookie, two droids and a
16:25weathered Jedi Master, became the face of a war without end. Undeniably one of cinema's most
16:31important cultural landmarks, A New Hope gave birth to the modern blockbuster, and set in motion
16:36the lives of a group of fantastical characters who continue to shape pop culture and the entire Star
16:41Wars franchise to this day. Yeah, there are aspects of the space opera that haven't aged
16:46well, from some of the special effects to the lacklustre lightsaber duels, but watching it
16:50some 40 years later, it's impossible to not be gripped by George Lucas' vision and the innovation
16:56taking place on screen. From here, the Star Wars saga would go bigger, but it would never be this
17:01important and unique ever again. 1. The Empire Strikes Back
17:06In the end, there could only be one, couldn't there? As obvious a pick as it may be,
17:10there's few who can argue against The Empire Strikes Back being the pinnacle of the franchise.
17:15Taking what was set up in A New Hope, the second chapter of the original trilogy finds our
17:20assorted heroes stretched thin in a galaxy torn apart by war, as Luke Skywalker hunts down the
17:26elusive Jedi legend Yoda in an attempt to master his still-emerging power. With more epic action
17:32and emotion than its predecessor, The Empire Strikes Back continues to be the gold standard
17:36of Star Wars. Bursting to life as a thrilling war movie, an engaging tale of good vs evil,
17:42and a blockbuster that dares to hurt its characters and shock audiences with its secrets.
17:47From the duel between Luke and Darth Vader that culminates in a devastating twist,
17:51to the loss of Han Solo and the opening battle of Hoth, Star Wars has never been more
17:55sure of itself or flawless as it was with The Empire Strikes Back.
18:07What do you think of this one? And am I dumb for putting The Last Jedi at number 5?
18:11Hey, maybe I am. While you're down there as well could you please give us a like,
18:13share, subscribe and head over to What Culture Star Wars for more lists and news like this
18:17every single day. Even if you don't though, I've been Josh, thanks so much for watching,
18:21and I'll see you soon.