The New Republic Era in the Star Wars universe is defined by the fall of the Galactic Empire and the rise of several other forces. Starting from 4 ABY, after the Battle of Endor, the New Republic rose from the destruction of a fascist Galactic Empire, but its reluctance toward excessive militarization led to the New Republic world feeling a bit lawless.
The era roughly began near the end of Return of the Jedi. Five live-action projects currently call this era home. Together they trace the galaxy’s messy, lawless rebuilding process. Here’s how they stack up against each other, from the most disappointing to the best.
5. The Mandalorian and Grogu Faltered as a Cinematic Comeback for Star Wars
A still from The Mandalorian and Grogu | Credits: Lucasfilm
Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu was the cinematic comeback for Star Wars. The franchise had pivoted and completely focused on the Disney+ original series since The Rise of Skywalker. It was supposed to be the perfect gateway for the franchise again, with The Mandalorian being its most successful property from Disney+.
However, the film failed to capture the magic and instead divided critics and fans. Many criticisms were laid upon the film, including that the story felt like an extended TV episode and that the VFX were criticized. Grogu’s big-screen charisma and Ludwig Göransson’s score were the only saving graces of the film.
4. Spinoff Series The Book of Boba Fett Struggled with Pacing
Temuera Morrison in The Book of Boba Fett | Credits: Lucasfilm
Set in the same time frame as The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett sees the eponymous Boba Fett stepping into a new role as a crime boss taking over Jabba the Hutt’s territory in Tatooine. Boba Fett enlists the help of Din Djarin while Grogu trains to be a Jedi.
The show had some pacing problems, and while Temuera Morrison’s performance was praised, the show’s storytelling was criticized. It’s largely remembered as a vehicle for reintroducing Din Djarin and Grogu mid-season, effectively functioning as Mandalorian 2.5 rather than its own story, which undercuts its ambitions as a standalone series.
3. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Is Full of Charm and Childlike Wonder
Jude Law in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew | Credits: Lucasfilm
Inspired by The Goonies and a George Lucas film, the show follows four kids from the hidden planet At-Attin, guided by Jude Law’s morally slippery Jod Na Nawood. Its charm lies in refusing to center legendary heroes, instead showing the New Republic through wide-eyed, ordinary eyes. The mystery-box plotting sagged in the middle, but the childlike sense of wonder it recaptured was genuinely rare for modern Star Wars.
2. Legends from Rebels Were Finally Brought to Life in Ahsoka
Rosario Dawson in Ahsoka | Credits: Lucasfilm
Ahsoka Tano was a fan-favorite character from The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. It was only natural that Rosario Dawson would get to lead her own series. Ahsoka sees the eponymous character joining hands with Sabine Wren to stop Grand Admiral Thrawn from bringing the remnants of the Galactic Empire together.
Apart from Ahsoka herself, Thrawn was another fan-favorite from Rebels who got live-action representation. The show’s mythic, animation-informed pacing occasionally tested patience, but the payoff gave the New Republic Era real narrative stakes beyond bounty-of-the-week plotting.
1. The Mandalorian Remains the New Republic Era’s Prized Possession
A still from The Mandalorian | Credits: Lucasfilm
A still from The Mandalorian | Credits: Lucasfilm
Pedro Pascal in The Mandalorian | Credits: Lucasfilm
It was a masterstroke to start Star Wars’ Disney+ era with The Mandalorian. Starring Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, a Mandalorian bounty hunter, the space Western was an experiment in style for the franchise, and it worked. Jon Favreau’s vision brought back yet another franchise that seemed to be on an unfamiliar edge.
While seasons 1 and 2 remain the gold standard for the franchise, season 3 fumbled a bit while trying to balance the Mandalorian politics plotline. However, the first two seasons still make the show one of the best to come out of Star Wars and the New Republic Era.
Which New Republic Era show do you think should be on top? Comment below.
All Star Wars titles are available to stream on Disney+.
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