Let’s face it. Certain corners of theStar Warsfandom unfortunately maintain a reputation often summarized as “nobody hates Star Wars more than Star Wars fans.” The angriest voices are usually the loudest, so you might think at first glance that more recent offerings in the series are nearly universally despised.
However, you owe it to yourself to give them all a try. Certain Star Wars shows and movies quickly become targets for ridicule and harassment (often before they even come out, thanks to fans with apparently the gift of future sight), but so many of them are absolutely worth wading through the vitriol and checking out.
8Star Wars Resistance
Heroism Doesn’t Have To Be Tragic
It may be hard for some to admit, but Star Wars has been a series for kids far more often than not. For every dark and poignant story like Andor, there are at least 3 with the seriousness of The Star Wars Holiday Special. But many forget that a kids' show doesn’t need to talk down to its audience.
Enter Star Wars: Resistance, an animated series set during the sequel trilogy with a simple art style and simple premise: a young pilot joins the Resistance (whose dad happens to be the stuffy senator Hamato Xiono we see in Ahsoka). But it takes itself seriously, respecting its viewers and offering some genuinely well-done kid-friendly storytelling. Plus, BB-8 is in it. No downsides.
7Star Wars: Episode 3: Revenge Of The Sith
More Than Memes, Even If The Memes Are Pretty Good
It might be debatable whether Revenge of the Sith is truly underrated, but even today, many considerthe Star Wars prequel wellto still be poisoned. Despite many fans having thankfully come around in recent years on their views of them, discussions of these three movies often don’t progress beyond meme sharing.
But Revenge of the Sith, certain “nooo!” moments aside, genuinely feels powerful at times. Anakin and Obi-Wan’s climactic duel on Mustafar remains a highlight of the whole series, and the tense scene of Padme and Anakin looking at each other across Coruscant before this is flawless.
6Obi-Wan Kenobi
Hello There, Hermit Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most important characters in all of Star Wars. Obi-Wan Kenobi the show continues to be ridiculed to this day. Sure, there are some awkward story and pacing elements, but do you know what else it has? The most adorable and perfect little Princess Leia.
Vivien Lyra Blair’s sassy performance as young Leia is an absolute highlight of the show, but Moses Ingram also nails it as the complex Inquisitor Reva. That’s not to mention getting to see Ewan McGregor back as Obi-Wan and even Hayden Christensen’s long-awaited return as Anakin and Darth Vader.
5Star Wars: The Acolyte
Darth Jason From The Good Place
There’s a reason fan outcry was so passionate whenStar Wars: The Acolytewas canceled. Viewers loved this show. Unfortunately, the hate campaign behind it was as unending as ever, which did this unpredictable andfresh take on Jedi and Sitha great disservice. The Acolyte opens up so many new possibilities for storytelling going forward, and it’s helped immensely by its stellar cast.
This show already succeeds by showing off Manny Jacinto’s acting chops and workout routine. But Amandla Stenberg also puts on a masterful performance as identical twin sisters Osha and Mae, and Lee Jung-jae’s pondering take on Master Sol deserves the highest praise. As the first live-action story set in the High Republic era long before even the prequels, its narrative freedom works super well.
4Solo: A Star Wars Story
From Theaters To Streaming In Less Than 12 Parsecs
Solo: A Star Wars Story had the misfortune of releasing right around the time when some pretty heavy Star Wars fatigue was taking hold in the fandom. The change in directors mid-production also really didn’t help.
But for what it was, it’s absolutely an enjoyable watch. Alden Ehrenreich had some big shoes to fill as Han Solo, but he got the cockiness and mannerisms down perfectly while making the role his own. Ditto for Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian. On the flip side, L3-37 got a raw deal and deserved better.
3Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures
Every Kid Dreams Of Being A Jedi And Staying Far Away From Anakin
Star Wars: Resistance may have given children some quality entertainment in a galaxy far, far away. But Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures turned that dial down even further to give the tiny ones a shot too. Most importantly, it has a character named Nubs. That’s quality right there.
Set in the High Republic era, it follows three children as they learn what it means to be Jedi during a time long before any moody teenagers with high midichlorian counts made it unfortunate to be a youngling in Star Wars. In all seriousness, it’s a fine show that’s perfect for the smallest of viewers. Nary a dismemberment in sight.
2The Book Of Boba Fett
The Book Of Papa Fett
Much like Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett is unfortunately still seen by certain fans as a bit of a disappointment. It’s largely self-contained, and relies a lot on cameos like Luke Skywalker and Cad Bane, and if you’ve seen that speeder bike chase, you probably have some thoughts.
But really, it’s the story of feared bounty hunter Boba Fett settling down on Tatooine and adopting a whole town. How is that not the best premise ever? Plus, you get to see Ming-Na Wen as Fennec Shand once again, and really that speeder chase is as close to a true George Lucas homage as you’re going to get.
1Star Wars: Episode 8: The Last Jedi
The Best YouTuber Litmus Test Since 2017
Star Wars: Episode 8: The Last Jedi is pretty beloved by critics. Much like The Empire Strikes Back, the hate seems to be slowly dying down over the years from fans who weren’t prepared for its changes. So is it underrated? Well, the sheer amount of people who will inevitably show up in your replies if you try to call it that should be proof enough.
Like The Acolyte, The Last Jedi tries so many new thingsthat it’s understandable why some people initially didn’t know how to react to it. But its deconstruction of the typical Star Wars formula as well as The Force in general remain some of the most important new developments in recent Star Wars. It’s also incredibly beautiful and well-made as a movie, which is important when you’re making a movie.
