Every year on May 4th, the internet floods with lightsabers, Leia buns, and “May the Fourth Be With You” references. This event known as Star Wars Day is a celebration of one of the most iconic franchises in pop culture, but for some fans, is also a reminder of just how much Star Wars content exists in the universe.
Once, the Star Wars saga was simple: three movies, three heroes, one villain in a mask. Then came the prequels. Then the sequels. Then the spin-offs. Now, we live in a galaxy overflowing with Disney+ shows, animated series, lore-deep novels, and characters with backstories longer than our APUSH textbooks.
So here’s the question: has Star Wars become too much?
A Quick Timeline
The original trilogy, which was made in 1977-1983, defined a generation of introduced iconic characters such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader. The prequels in 1999-2005 showed light on Anakin’s fall and the lead up to the events of the originals. Then in 2012, Disney bought Lucasfilms, launching the sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens in 2015 through The Rise of Skywalker in 2019), with a whole new wave of content following it.
Since then, we’ve gotten twenty new series, seven live action, nine animated, and four LEGO Star Wars. These include shows such as:
- The Mandalorian
- The Book of Boba Fett
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Andor
- Ahsoka
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch
- LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy
…and many more
Why Some Fans Are Tired
For casual viewers, the Star Wars timeline has become a confusing web of sequels, spin-offs, and side quests. Watching one show now requires knowing five others. And while the special effects are a sight-to-behold, some stories feel like variations of the same old thing: desert planets, a mysterious Force-sensitive character, and an old villain with a deep voice.
For example, Star Wars: The Acolyte revived a 19% audience score with many fans feeling it was partly written and not fitting in the Star Wars universe as one IMDB reviewer put it “The plot feels disjointed and poorly paced, with episodes dragging on without meaningful progression.”
Another spin-off that didn’t do well was The Book of Boba Fett, revolving a 49% audience score, with the infamous bounty hunter seen in the original Star Wars come across as “lazy and weak for most of the series,” as another IMDB reviewer put it. This has led many fans to believe that there is a more quantity over quality approach that is truly becoming a detriment to the franchise as a whole.
With a new Star Wars project every few months, some fans are simply burned out. What was once an exciting announcement of a new show and a chance to see a different side to the Star Wars universe, has turned into just another monthly occurrence.
But the Galaxy Still Has Bright Spots
On the other hand, recent shows like Andor and The Mandalorian have earned critical praise, gaining multiple seasons with the recent release of the second season of Andor receiving a 96% critic and 80% audience score. These series explore new tones and introduce fresh characters who aren’t all Skywalkers without needing a bunch of backstory or previous knowledge on the franchise.
The introduction of beloved character Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) alone revived interest in the franchise for a whole new generation. And to be fair, there’s something kind of awesome about a universe so big that viewers can explore Jedi philosophy and intergalactic bounty hunting in the same franchise.
So… Has It Gone Too Far?
The Star Wars cinematic universe definitely isn’t slowing down. Upcoming projects include a Rey-centered film, more animated shows, and a further movie look into the Mandalorian and his adored companion Grogu.
Whether that’s exciting or exhausting probably depends on how deep into hyperspace you already are. But here’s the good news: Whether you’re a die-hard fan who debates lightsaber forms or someone who just thinks Baby Yoda is cute, there’s a place for you in the Star Wars galaxy.
Enjoy the jokes, dodge the spoilers, and as always: May the force be with you.
