Top 5 Star Wars Movies and TV Shows

Hello there. Few media franchises are as epic as Star Wars. Even though the first Star Wars movie aired in cinemas nearly 50 years ago, it is still going strong today. In fact, later this month, the 13th movie – The Mandalorian and Grogu – will start airing in cinemas. Apart from movies, the franchise has grown to include TV series, of which there are already seven. To celebrate Star Wars Day, we thought it would be great if we picked our favourite movies and TV shows. Find out which are our five top picks below. And if you disagree, then we find your lack of faith disturbing.

Rogue One

Rogue One was the first live-action standalone Star Wars film, and it served as proof that there were still good Star Wars stories left to be told. It’s also one of the rare Star Wars films in the Disney era that’s universally loved by both casual moviegoers and hardcore Star Wars fans alike. 

Much of it, we think, has to do with its reverence for the source material. The writers, ever respectful of the original trilogy, turned the exhaust port of the Death Star into a believable plot device. And then there was its different take on the Star Wars universe. Up until then, Star Wars movies have always leaned heavily on the dynamics between the Jedi and Sith. Instead, Rogue One leaned heavily on the regular non-Force-sensitive people that made up the Star Wars universe. 

And of course, there was that epic Darth Vader scene. Even today, nearly a decade on, it remains one of the most legendary moments in cinema history.

Andor

If most Star Wars stories lean on grand spectacles, Andor takes a more grounded route. It focuses less on big moments and puts its lens on how people live under the Empire, and that makes it feel different from the rest of the TV shows and even some of the movies.

There’s no rush to get to action scenes or familiar callbacks. Instead, the show takes its time to build its characters and settings. Cassian Andor isn’t introduced as a clear-cut hero. In the beginning, he makes questionable decisions and looks out for himself. But slowly, he finds a reason to join the rebellion. His character progression might take a while, but the payoff is worth it – it makes his story more believable.

The Empire also feels more real here. It’s not just a distant threat – it shows up in everyday systems, from workplace rules to various means of surveillance and control. You see how it affects ordinary people, not just soldiers or rebels. Characters like Luthen Rael and Mon Mothma highlight this further, showing that resistance often involves trade-offs and difficult and morally questionable choices. Nothing is ever just black and white.

And that’s what sets Andor apart. It focuses on the cost of rebellion and the people behind it, rather than just the outcome.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back is often considered one of the best sequels ever made. Mostly, it’s because it nails the emotional beats. For example, you feel the shock of the Wampa’s size when Luke fights it and loses, then the relief and joy when Han Solo saves him. And then you get emotionally wrecked when the rebels lose the Hoth base to the Imperial walkers and stormtroopers, and things get even more miserable when Han Solo gets frozen in carbonite. But seeing Luke get that new cybernetic hand at the end with the Rebel fleet gives you a burst of hope.

On the whole, the movie is more grown-up and darker, with a stronger focus on the characters and a huge expansion of the Star Wars universe. It’s a classic because it takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride as the good guys face setbacks and the stakes get higher as Luke starts his Jedi training. And we cannot forget that it consists of one of the most mind-blowing moments in cinema history when Darth Vader drops that iconic line, “I am your father.”

The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian is notable for a few reasons, partly because it’s the first live-action TV series in the franchise, but also because of how it exploded in popularity thanks to a winning mix of action, excellent writing and of course, the adorable Grogu and his father-son dynamic with The Mandalorian.

Our favourite scenes from the show have to include iconic moments like The Mandalorian and Grogu meeting for the first time with the E.T.-esque finger touch, and when Mando finally removes his helmet willingly to bid farewell to Grogu. Of course, how can we leave out action scenes like when Mando is fighting the Mudhorn, or when he duels Moff Gideon and wins the Darksaber?

The character building of the titular character from a bounty hunter to eventually a protector and father figure is brilliantly executed, and Pedro Pascal’s performance as Mando is, overall, a fantastic one. Honestly, it’s a bit of a shame that Disney has decided to continue the Mandalorians ‘ story in a feature film, but given the series’ popularity, it’s not all that surprising either. Happily, The Mandalorian and Grogu will open in cinemas later this month on 21 May. 

The Clone Wars

A worthy addition to the best of Star Wars canon material is the 2008 animated series that spans across seven seasons and a staggering 133 episodes. There are many Star Wars media with similar names (like the 2008 animated film and an earlier 2003 3-season series), so make sure you check out the right one.

There are lots of little things that make this retelling of the Clone Wars conflict feel well-rounded. It has a distinctive art style that’s instantly recognisable, and the series adds depth to familiar characters (Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka Tano). The setting of the conflict itself also gives rise to many human-interest situations, moral choices, and shows that nothing is as clear-cut as black or white.

The early seasons are a bit problematic as it feels more like a kids’ show when it starts, but it loses these elements over time and develops into a must-watch series with a hard-hitting ending. This is especially true if you’re one of those people who felt like the prequels (Episode I, II, III) needed more (and better) storytelling that bridges to the original trilogy (Episode IV, V, VI).

It’s worth noting that all seasons touch on complex, war-related themes (it’s in the name, guys), so some viewer discretion is advised. Don’t let the fact that it’s an animation fool you.

If you want to see all these Star Wars shows and more, subscribe to Disney+. Be sure to also check out our list of the worst Star Wars movies and TV shows, and other Star Wars content below.