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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 canon
00:06is only going to get bigger from here on out. And this franchise means something different to
00:12everyone, which makes a list like this ranking everything a truly imposing task, because I'm
00:18not going to please anyone. Hell, I might not even please half of you. Quite simply, we aren't going
00:22to agree on everything here, and you know what? I'd have it no other way. As long as the criticism
00:27is in good faith, I genuinely can't wait to see what people would chop and change compared
00:31to the order that we've listed on here. And that's because, no matter what, I think we can
00:36all agree that Star Wars, it's bloody good, isn't it? So with that in mind, I'm Josh from
00:41whatculture.com, and this is Star Wars, every movie and TV show ranked worst to best.
00:46Number 22, Star Wars Holiday Special. There are a few Star Wars projects that are outright
00:51bad, but the Holiday Special is sadly one of them. To call it a travesty would be an understatement.
00:57In fact, it's such a vilified work of temporary insanity that George Lucas once famously said
01:03that he'd smash 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 Solo
01:14and Chewbacca as they race to visit the Wookiees' family whilst being pursued by the Empire.
01:19With its atrociously cheap sets and painfully uncomfortable performances, the Holiday Special
01:24really is as bad as it sounds. Featuring nonsense singalongs, half-formed characters and the poor
01:30introduction of future franchise legend, Boba Fett.
01:34Number 21, The Ewok Spin-Offs. If there were any characters in the Star Wars universe who didn't
01:39need their own spin-offs, it probably would have to be the Ewoks who were first introduced in Return of
01:44the Jedi. But 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.
02:09Number 20, Droids.
02:11Droids, also known as The Adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2, was originally aired with its companion
02:16series Ewoks, and only just manages to rank higher than that misfire because it includes Anthony
02:21Daniels. With the same dull humour and technically unimpressive aesthetic, Droids is yet another wonky
02:27attempt to make a kids' TV show by people who seem to have never interacted with a child or Star Wars
02:34before in their lives. In attempting to tell audiences what 3PO and R2 were up to between The Fall of the
02:40Republic and The Birth of the Empire, the thankfully short-lived series takes much of the magic out of their
02:45development, so much so that it's occasionally kinda sad to watch.
02:49Number 19, Star Wars The Clone Wars.
02:52This intriguing animated movie was released in 2008 as the feature-length pilot to the upcoming Clone Wars
02:59TV show, and despite some inescapable flaws, remains a landmark instalment for the franchise's most recent era.
03:05Introducing fan-favorite Ahsoka Tano to the saga as the Padawan learner of Anakin, the movie follows the pair as they
03:11engage in the early stages of the eponymous war, and are eventually called in to help Jabba the Hutt
03:16find his missing son. Split into shifting segments though, The Clone Wars is choppy and seemingly
03:21unfinished. Watching like 3 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, things would never be the
03:32same again, and Star Wars fans are still reaping the benefits of the stage it's set.
03:37Number 18, Attack of the Clones.
03:39Attack of the Clones is the most disappointing of the prequel trilogy, because its highs are so
03:44bloody high, but good lord are its lows alone. For one thing, this was the prequel that featured the
03:49epic battle of Geonosis, the introduction of the clone army, as well as Anakin and Obi-Wan clashing with
03:55the nefarious Count Dooku. In terms of world building and character development, it's great to revisit
03:59Attack of the Clones and realize just how much of it really adds to the Skywalker saga, bringing
04:04Anakin's darkness out and allowing the galaxy to get one step closer to war. The problem with all
04:10of this though, and much of the prequel trilogy in general, is the execution, which comes complete
04:15with a laughably bad script, atrocious performances, and a central romance between Anakin and Padme
04:20that borders an unforgivable. The groundwork is there, setting up big things, but it's seriously
04:26kind of hard to get through it at times. Number 17, Resistance. One of the more underrated additions
04:32to the franchise, Resistance is set before the events of the sequel trilogy, and follows the
04:36Rebels as they spy on the looming threat of the First Order. With sharp visuals and a terrific voice
04:41cast such as sequel star Oscar Isaac, the two season exploration of the New Republic and the inner
04:46workings of the Rebel Alliance makes for both engaging and easily digestible fun for the whole
04:52family. It's not particularly challenging and suffers in part due to its lack of necessity to
04:57the overall story of the films, but Resistance is basically what Ewoks and droids tried to do in
05:02the 80s, be an exciting kid-friendly adventure show with heart, soul, and wit.
05:08Number 16, Visions. Visions is unlike anything else Star Wars has ever produced. Currently consisting of
05:16one season and nine 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, produced by
05:28seven different Japanese animation studios, giving free reign on what stories they wanted to tell in how
05:34they use the franchise's mythology. The final results of this experimental mission are to die for, thanks in
05:40large part to its stunning visual appeal and powerful stories that are both unique and recognizable to
05:45long-time fans. It may not be the Star Wars that fans know and love, but Visions's fresh take on the galaxy
05:51far, far away is impossible not to fall for. Number 15, The Phantom Menace. The Phantom Menace definitely,
05:58definitely has its issues, many of them glaring. There's the introduction of Jar Jar Binks, young Anakin's
06:04many cringe-worthy lines, and the heavy-handed politics of the Republic's worldbuilding. But there
06:10are more virtues to the prequel trilogy's debut than you may remember. Amongst them, the strong
06:15performances and chemistry of Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson, the development of the Jedi Council,
06:20and John Williams' epic score. Then, of course, there's the film's highlight, The Jewel of the Fates,
06:27in which Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn clash with the silent villain Darth Maul, setting the stage for the
06:31chaotic war between light and dark that colours the entire saga. Its high points might not be enough
06:37to overcome its subtle-as-a-rock storytelling, strangely convoluted mythology or tacky humour,
06:42but The Phantom Menace is far from being an all-out failure just because of them.
06:46Number 14, The Book of Boba Fett. The most recent series to be added to Star Wars' back catalogue,
06:52The Book of Boba Fett acts as a thrilling, lore-heavy continuation of several major plotlines
06:57set up in its groundbreaking predecessor, The Mandalorian. Most enjoyably, though, is the way
07:02the show has 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, but it's
07:21already got more than enough twists, turns, and long-awaited character interactions to give it a strong
07:26start and a bright future. Number 13, The Rise of Skywalker. As the final chapter of the Skywalker
07:33saga, The Rise of Skywalker had a lot riding on its shoulders, and for the most part, it kind of
07:38squandered its potential. Despite some bright spots found in the bracing duels between Rey and Kylo Ren,
07:44and its striking visual flair, the movie offers up a barrage of unwanted twists, such as the sudden
07:49return of Emperor Palpatine and nonsensical character motivations. But still, there is a lot to love
07:55in here. It's clear that the cast still really care about this material, and JJ Abrams is trying
08:00his hardest to wrap up a sequel trilogy that clearly had loads of holes poked into it. It's not quite
08:07as divisive as its predecessor, but The Rise of Skywalker certainly has as many haters as it does
08:12fans. Number 12, Solo. One of the more underrated instalments of the Star Wars saga, Solo's main issue
08:20stems from just how safe and arguably unneeded it is. But even then, its visual extravagance and exciting
08:26action does make it a worthwhile watch. Casting as so-so Alden Ehrenrich as the eponymous smuggler
08:32and emerging galactic hero, the prequel sheds light on Han's fun pre-Rebel days, the origins of his
08:38relationship with 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 catalog, Solo does feel like the biggest cash grab it's ever clutched
08:59for, but it's far from the all-out failure that many wish to paint it as. Number 11, The 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 that 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 Dee
09:25Bradley Baker, mixed with the tightly plotted writing that effortlessly continues several major
09:30storylines set up in both Clone Wars and Rebels, has made The Bad Batch yet another crowning success
09:35for Star Wars' animated landscape. And that's without getting into the richly envisioned
09:40clone protagonists, all of whom, especially Hunter, Omega and Crosshair, are surely some of the most
09:45colourful characters the franchise has ever produced. Bring on the future of this show.
09:50Number 10, The Mandalorian. The Star Wars series that nobody knew they needed,
09:55The Mandalorian is about to enter its third season and cement itself as a classic of the franchise.
10:01Thanks in a large part to its infusion of Mandalorian mythology, heavily influenced by the
10:05works of TV shows like The Clone Wars and Rebels, and gripping action sequences, the series has hit
10:11new highs with each episode, and two seasons in seems to have single-handedly ushered in a new
10:16great era for the franchise's fans. It's clean production and slight over-indulgence on fan
10:22service has dampened things at times, but The Mandalorian is still modern Star Wars at its best.
10:27Number 9, Revenge of the Sith. Revenge of the Sith suffers from many of the same
10:32flaws as the rest of the prequels, most notably a melodramatic script emphasized by atrocious acting
10:38and rushed payoffs. But, and it is a big but, aside from its detours into ridiculousness and meme
10:45ability, it's actually pretty damn good. Especially the second half. Between some really, really good
10:51performances like Ewan McGregor's, the haunting execution of the Order 66 sequence, and the way that it
10:56leans into 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 almost
11:08as well as the originals, only with more CGI Yoda and coughing cyborgs who never live up to their
11:14potential. Also, who could possibly hate the final duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin? It makes the movie
11:20better whether you initially liked it or not. Number 8, Rebels. Set several years before the events
11:26of A New Hope, Rebels ran for 4 seasons and 75 episodes and shed some revealing light on the
11:31early years of the original Rebel Alliance and the effects the fall of the Republic had on the galaxy.
11:37Uniquely animated to suit the original Star Wars concept art by Ralph McQuarrie, Rebels never shies
11:43away from the darkest recesses of the saga, but with its light humour and endearing gaggle of anti-heroes,
11:48makes itself fun for the whole family as well as top tier Star Wars through and through.
11:53Number 7, The Force Awakens. In terms of story, it's tough to argue that The Force Awakens is
11:58mostly a rehash of the original trilogy. You know, an orphan with a forgotten past is thrust into an
12:03intergalactic war and finds their true calling as a Jedi Knight. But whilst its plot is derivative and
12:09sets in motion a story that leaves the events of the previous six movies a little bit forgotten,
12:13there is still so much to love about the first chapter of the sequel trilogy.
12:18For one thing, there's the characters, including troubled survivor Rey,
12:21roguish fighter pilot Poe, former stormtrooper Finn, and conflicted antagonist Kylo Ren,
12:27all of whom work well with legacy characters such as Han and Leia. Even with its divisive
12:32cliffhanger and predictable story, The Force Awakens is heaps of fun and captures the spirit
12:37of the franchise's message and characters beautifully. It's aged very well and deserves a major reappraisal.
12:44Number 6, Return of the Jedi. The most common complaint leveled towards Return of the Jedi is
12:48that it's a little bit too silly, especially when compared to its two classic predecessors.
12:54Ewoks and the cartoonish Battle of Endor notwithstanding though, the final chapter of the original trilogy
12:59might actually be the darkest of the three films, thanks in large part to Jabba the Hutt's general
13:04vileness and Luke Skywalker'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 everybody 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.
13:32Number 5, 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,
13:41as Rey seeks a reclusive Luke's guidance on honing her skills as a Jedi.
13:46Directed by Rian Johnson, The Last Jedi digs deep into the characters at its centre more intensely
13:51than any Star Wars vehicle before or since. As Luke grapples with the results of his regrettable
13:56actions, Rey struggles to control her mysterious powers, and Kylo Ren seesaws between villainy and
14:02anti-hero. On 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 that's
14:12one of the best scenes in the franchise. It's not flawless of course, I mean Leia travelling through
14:18space is a little bit silly, whilst the Finn and Rose subplot does feel like directionless filler,
14:23but it's a daring adventure that takes risks and makes them work much better than expected.
14:27Number 4, Rogue One. Yep, that's right I guess, The One without any Jedi and a large ensemble of
14:34never-before-seen characters is, in fact, one of the best Star Wars projects of all time.
14:39Yet another story to take place before the events of A New Hope, Rogue One follows a group of mismatched
14:44rebel soldiers as they risk everything to steal the Death Star plans from a highly protected imperial
14:50planet. Visually gorgeous and rife with subtle tragic characters we really wish had more time,
14:55the prequel source thanks to its avoidance of formula. There's no prophecies here of
15:00super-powered beings battling for the galaxy, just everyday people with an eclectic set of skills
15:05willing to fight for what they believe in. Rogue One is epic, harrowing, and unpredictable stuff,
15:11and makes the events of the original trilogy that much richer to revisit. It really is that great.
15:17Number 3, The Clone Wars. The best Star Wars show on offer, The Clone Wars is the franchise's most
15:23expansive and eye-opening descent into the complexities and inner workings of the galaxy,
15:28confidently 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 stories
15:39about rookie clones, one-off Jedi, bounty hunters, behind-the-scenes political betrayal, and more,
15:45with each development adding a new layer of brilliance to the saga's impressive worldbuilding.
15:50Aside from its stunning animation, epic battles, and endless supply of engrossing characters though,
15:55The Clone Wars' true power came from how it explored the downfall of Anakin Skywalker,
16:00his Padawan Ahsoka, and his master Obi-Wan. The Clone Wars is such a rewarding experience,
16:06mixing the franchise's humour, darkness, and heartbreak together perfectly, that there's only
16:11two things on this list that can beat it. Number 2, A New Hope. It all started here, with an orphan
16:18farmer called Luke Skywalker who escaped from his mundane existence and, along with a princess,
16:22an infamous smuggler, a Wookiee, two droids, and a weathered Jedi Master, became the face of a war
16:28without end. Undeniably, one of cinema's most important cultural landmarks, A New Hope gave birth
16:33to the modern blockbuster, and set in motion the lives of a group of fantastical characters who continue
16:39to shape pop culture and the entire Star Wars franchise to this day. Yeah, there are aspects of
16:44the space opera that haven't aged well, from some of the special effects to the lacklustre
16:48lightsaber duels, but watching it some 40 years later, it's impossible to not be gripped by George
16:54Lucas' vision and the innovation taking place on screen. From here, the Star Wars saga would go
17:00bigger, but it would never be this important and unique ever again. Number 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, there's few who can
17:11argue 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 assorted
17:21heroes stretched thin in a galaxy torn apart by war, as Luke Skywalker hunts down the elusive Jedi
17:27legend Yoda in an attempt to master his still emerging power. With more epic action and emotion
17:32than its predecessor, The Empire Strikes Back continues to be the gold standard of Star Wars,
17:38bursting to life as a thrilling war movie and engaging tale of good versus 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,
17:50to the loss of Han Solo and the opening battle of Hoth,
17:53Star Wars has never been more as sure of itself or flawless as it was with The Empire Strikes Back.
18:00So, that's our list. Like I said at the beginning, this is a big one and I really want to know what
18:04you guys think down in the comments below. What's your ranking? What do you think of this one?
18:08And am I dumb for putting The Last Jedi at number 5? Hey, maybe I am. While you're down there as well,
18:12could you please give us a like, share, subscribe and head over to What Cultures Star Wars for more
18:16lists and news like this every single day. Even if you don't though, I've been Josh,
18:20thanks so much for watching and I'll see you soon.
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