Summary
Star Wars' success of late has been in the realm of TV, with several individual episodes ranking among the best crafted in a galaxy far, far away. In 2019,The Mandaloriankickstarted a wave ofStar Warscontent on the small screen. The success ofThe Mandaloriancannot be understated, with the show’s characters, storylines, and themes laying the groundwork forupcomingStar WarsTV shows.The Mandalorianhas even proven to impact the franchise beyond TV, withThe Mandalorian & Groguplanned to be released in 2026 as the nextupcomingStar Warsmovie.
Thanks toThe Mandalorian, otherStar WarsTV projectssince 2019 includeAhsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, andAndor. However, it is worth noting that - whileThe Mandalorianushered in a period of dominance for live-actionStar WarsTV - shows likeStar Wars: The Clone Wars,Star Wars Rebels, andStar Wars: The Bad Batchhave been around since as early as 2008 where the former is concerned. Across thisvastStar WarsTV timeline, 10 episodes can be highlighted as the best ever produced.
Season and Episode Number
“Carnage of Krell”
Air Date
June 20, 2025
Ranking as the 10th bestStar WarsTV episode of all time isStar Wars: The Bad Batchseason 2, episode 12, “The Outpost.” This episode takes a break from the titular team of Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Omega to focus on Crosshair, their brother who abandoned the team for the Empire. “The Outpost” succeeds primarily because it is the culmination of two seasons worth of character development for Crosshair. Throughout the show, Crosshair is faced with making impossible choices on behalf of the Empire, grappling between his loyalty as a soldier and his loyalty to his brothers and sister.
In “The Outpost,” this character arc is complete. The story of the episode centers solely on Crosshair being transported to a desolate ice planet, forced to survive its harsh conditions among other clones, one named Mayday. The episode is beautifully animated as expected, with a foreboding sense of dread elicited from the icy landscape. What makes “The Outpost” special though, is Crosshair’s beliefs finally being called into question by Mayday.
The titular outpost features again in Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3, episode 5, where Crosshair finally regains the trust of his brothers.
The two narrowly survive the severe conditions of the planet, but an Imperial Lieutenant cares only for his missing cargo. The Lieutenant thus refuses medical care for Mayday, with the clone succumbing to his wounds. Crosshair deciding to shoot the Imperial Lieutenant out of anger is one of the best moments in the entire show, due to how methodically and carefully his turn against the Empire was seeded. This, combined with the dark, self-contained nature of the episode, allows “The Outpost” to stand as the best individual episode ofStar Wars: The Bad Batch.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Cast
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is an action-adventure animated series set after the events of The Clone Wars, following Clone Force 99 (a.k.a. the Bad Batch.) Finding themselves immune to the brainwashing effects of Order 66, the Bad Batch become mercenaries for hire while outrunning the empire, now seeing them as fugitives of the law.
Jul 03, 2025
The first, and certainly not last, episode fromStar Wars: The Clone Warson this list is season 5, episode 16, “The Lawless.” The episode centers on Obi-Wan Kenobi who is lured to Mandalore by his old enemy Darth Maul to rescue Duchess Satine Kryze. This episode stands amongStar Wars' best due to the setup of Obi-Wan and Satine’s relationship. With romantic relationships being such a forbidden concept to the JediStar Warsprequels,Obi-Wan’s connection to Satine is endlessly compelling. Kenobi and Satine’s relationship was part of 10 priorClone Warsepisodes, supporting why “The Lawless” works so well.
Ironically, it is the end of Obi-Wan and Satine’s relationship that allows “The Lawless” to set itself apart. Maul’s murder of Satine in front of Kenobi is harrowingly dark forStar Warsanimation, pushing the boundaries asThe Clone Warsoften did. What followed was an intense, episode-long action sequence as Kenobi escapes a Mandalore being invaded by Death Watch, and Maul is confronted by his old master, Darth Sidious. The intense emotion offsets the thrill of seeing Sidious in action as he duels Maul and Savage Opress, bringing a stellar installment ofThe Clone Warsto a close.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated series that explores the intense conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. Featuring a mix of loyalty shifts and alliances, it delves into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases pivotal moments for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda.
August 20, 2025
The season 2 finale ofStar Wars Rebels,“Twilight of the Apprentice,” is one of the most compelling hours ofStar Warsever produced. The episode centers around the exploration of the Sith world Malachor, withRebels' Ezra Bridger, Kanan Jarrus, and formerClone Warscharacter Ahsoka Tano searching for a secret that can defeat the Sith and thus, the Empire. The secret is a Sith Holocron, with other malevolent forces such as a still-alive Maul andStar Wars’Imperial Inquisitorssearching for it also.
The first half of the episode features Maul’s return, and a journey through the dark of Malachor, making “Twilight of the Apprentice” one of the darkest entries inStar Wars Rebels, both literally and thematically. The second half of “Twilight of the Apprentice” is then filled with some of the greatest, most emotionally compelling action moments in not onlyRebelsbut the entireStar Warsfranchise. The team-up between Kanan, Ahsoka, and Maul against the Imperial Inquisitors is fantastic given the former rivalries between the Jedi and the Sith warrior.
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When Maul turns on Kanan, however, the darkness seeps back into the episode. Kanan being blinded by Maul, yet defeating him nonetheless solidifies the former as one ofStar Wars' best characters, while Ahsoka battles against an old acquaintance at the top of Malachor’s temple. The appearance of Darth Vader in the episode is brilliant, heightened by the knowledge that his old apprentice Ahsoka is waiting for him. The two battle, leading Ahsoka to discover Vader’s true identity is Anakin Skywalker.
The blending of James Earl Jones and Matt Lanter - Anakin’sClone Warsvoice actor - for this scene works outstandingly to sell the unrest in Vader seeing his apprentice once more. Complete with fantastic writing in which Vader threatens to kill Ahsoka, the build-up of the relationship that had been around since 2008 came to a head in “Twilight of the Apprentice.” This emotional resonance combines with the action-packed plot ofStar Wars Rebelsseason 2, episode 22, to help it become one ofStar Wars' best.
Star Wars Rebels
Set between Episodes III and IV of the Star Wars film franchise, Star Wars Rebels is a canon animated series that follows a group of ragtag heroes who band together to face the Empire. In an age where the Galactic Empire is hunting down the last of the Jedi, a teenage outcast named Ezra Bridger is discovered to be force sensitive by a surviving Jedi known as Kanan Jarrus. Agreeing to join them and accept Jedi training, Ezra becomes a part of a small but growing crew of rebels determined to destroy the empire covertly.
The first live-actionStar Warsepisode on this list comes fromAndorvia season 1, episode 6, “The Eye.” “The Eye” is the conclusion ofAndor’s second arc, focusing on a heist the titular Cassian is undertaking against an Imperial base. This heist is first introduced two episodes prior, meaning the planning, preparation, tension, and team of new characters all come to a thrilling culmination in episode 6.
The biggest strength of “The Eye” lies in its simple plot; the idea of the heist has been built over two episodes, meaning episode 6 has a singular focus that leads to an endless, tense, and exciting hour ofStar WarsTV. This heist is set against the backdrop of the titular Eye of Aldhani phenomenon, givingAndorthe chance to flex its beautiful cinematography and CGI. The Eye of Aldhani is the celestial event in which thousands of meteors burn up in the planet’s atmosphere, creating a blue, green, and yellow sky whichAndor’s dark heist contrasts gracefully with.
Aside from how good “The Eye” looks, the episode works on a character and story level. The heist naturally has many hiccups, with the prior two-episode build-up causing a sense of tension unlike anything else in the franchise. The stealing of Imperial credits, the firefights that ensue, and the escape flight through the meteor shower are all thrilling.“The Eye” is so exciting that it is lacking emotionally, meaning it cannot rank any higher. That said, the expert craftsmanship is enough to see it come in as the seventh-bestStar WarsTV episode ever made.
Andor
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
The Mandalorianseason 2, episode 8, “The Rescue” ranks as the sixth-bestStar WarsTV show - and the best inThe Mandalorian’s run - simply because of how purelyStar Warsit is. The set-up of the episode did a lot of the heavy lifting emotionally, with the titular Din Djarin’s adopted son Grogu being captured by Imperials, leading to the titular rescue. With so much of the set-up established by the episode before it, “The Rescue” could dive straight into the aerial combat scenes, hand-to-hand fights, brilliantStar Warsteam-ups, and cameo-filled surprises.
Seeing the team-up of Din Djarin, Boba Fett, Fennec Shand, Bo-Katan Kryze, and Cara Dune to save Grogu was epic, to say the least. Each character had their own established motivations, strengths, and weaknesses, commending the show’s writing in prior seasons. The fight sequences that followed only built upon the character dynamics, from Bo-Katan, Fennec, and Cara’s storming of an Imperial Star Destroyer’s bridge to Din Djarin facing off against Moff Gideon wieldingStar Wars’Mandalorian Darksaber.
The Book of Boba Fett’s handling of Grogu and Din’s reunion unfortunately lessens the emotional weight of “The Rescue” in hindsight, meaning it cannot rank higher.
What allows “The Rescue” to be remembered as one of the greatestStar WarsTV episodes ever made, however, is the cameo of Luke Skywalker. Seeing Jedi Master Luke in action was a sight to behold, as he cut down waves of Dark Troopers using his green lightsaber. This led toThe Mandalorianseason 2’s emotionally resonant finale, in which Grogu leaves to train with Luke. Pedro Pascal is fantastic in this sequence, with the grief and sadness at his son leaving pouring out in a great performance.
The Mandalorian
Released on June 23, 2025 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.
June 11, 2025
The mid-season finale ofStar Wars Rebelsseason 4, episode 10 is the second-best in the show, and the fifth-bestStar WarsTV episode ever produced. It centers around Kanan Jarrus embarking on a mission to save Hera Syndulla, his lover and long-time companion, from the clutches of the Empire. The episode is fairly simple in that it is a rescue mission, with a fun and breezy first half in which Kanan and Hera’s relationship receives a much-welcome spotlight. That said,it is the latter half of “Jedi Night” that allows it to rank so highly as aStar WarsTV installment.
As Kanan uses the Force to push Hera away from the explosion, the mystical energy field returns his sight so that he can see his love, one last time…
As Hera, Kanan, and the otherRebelscrew escape, an explosion threatens their lives. Kanan uses the Force to hold off the explosion in an unbelievably beautiful scene. The orange fire surrounding Kanan being pushed back by the blue of the Force is gorgeously realized, with an orchestral, melancholic score overlaid by the ever-brilliant Kevin Kiner. As Kanan uses the Force to push Hera away from the explosion, the mystical energy field returns his sight so that he can see his love, one last time, before pushing her ship away from the fire and sacrificing himself.
This scene ranks among one of the most emotional in the entire franchise. Not only does it mark a satisfying albeit heartbreaking conclusion of Kanan’s arc as it comes after Hera admits her love for him, but it signifies what it means to be a Jedi. Kanan uses the Force for defense, shielding his loved ones from the explosion before giving his own life and becoming one with the Cosmic Force. This ending alone allows “Jedi Night” to rank above many otherStar WarsTV shows, even if the first half telegraphs Kanan’s death through its screenwriting.
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August 23, 2025
All four episodes of the final arc ofStar Wars: The Clone Warsseason 7 could have made this list as the bestStar WarsTV episodes, but episode 12 stands out. As the culmination ofThe Clone Wars, the episode simply works in every conceivable way. It picks up with Ahsoka trying to surviveStar Wars’Order 66and instantly turns on the emotion with her and Rex tearfully mulling over having to kill their comrades and friends. This, combined with the action of Ahsoka, Rex, and Maul fighting to survive, immediately combines excitement with an overarching sense of dread.
The final sequence is also a fantastic close to a beloved show. With Ahsoka and Rex burying their comrades, their journeys are sorrowfully ended, beautifully animated, and hopefully left off for future stories likeStar WarsRebels. With the final shot being Vader finding Ahsoka’s lightsaber, “Victory and Death” works not only as a contained ending but also in context with otherStar Warsstories involving the two. As an ending to one show, the beginning of more, and the blending of two eras of theStar Warstimeline,The Clone Wars’finale gains top marks across the board.
July 30, 2025
IfAndor’s “The Eye” was a barometer of the show’s high quality, episode 10, “One Way Out,” somehow surpasses it. “One Way Out” is the final episode inAndor’s third arc, which culminates in a prison break.Andorepisode 10 shares all the benefits of episode 6, from the previous episodes' set up of this arc’s story, characters, and endgame, allowing the episode in question to be an explosion of action, tension, drama, emotion, and franchise-best screenwriting.
It stands as a testament toAndor’s screenwriting quality that the climactic action sequences are not the best aspect of the episode. Instead, it is the monologs of Andy Serkis' Kino Loy and Stellan Skarsgård’s Luthen Rael that allow “One Way Out” to shine. Both speeches, especially the latter, are some of the finest pieces of screenwriting in the entire franchise. Where Kino’s speech amps up excitement and tension in both the audience andAndor’s prisoners to escape, Luthen sums up the morally gray nature of his character while typifyingStar Wars’central themes of rebelling against oppression.
The writer of Andor’s “One Way Out,” Beau Willimon, will co-write the upcomingDawn of the Jedi Star Wars moviealongside James Mangold.
What allows “One Way Out” to surpass “The Eye,” and several otherStar WarsTV episodes, is how these monologs and the climactic prison break dial up the emotional weight of the story. Kino pushing everyone to rise up against the Empire is only made more exciting, tragic, and heartbreaking by his own inability to escape. Never has a one-offStar Warscharacter captured hearts like Kino Loy, summing up how perfectlyAndorpresents its characters, with episode 10, “One Way Out” doing this the best in the entire show.
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August 25, 2025
Like “Jedi Night,“Star Wars Rebelsseason 3, episode 20, “Twin Suns,” is more simple than aforementioned episodes like “The Eye” or “Victory and Death.” However, it is the beautiful subtlety with which the episode pays off an almost 20-year-oldStar Warsarc that ranks it in the top threeStar WarsTV episodes ever. The episode sees Ezra Bridger and Maul travel separately to Tatooine, as the Sith Holocron from “Twilight of the Apprentice” tells both that the key to destroying the Sith lies on the desert planet.
This naturally leads them to an elderly Obi-Wan Kenobi, meaning “Twin Suns” delivers an intoxicating dose of fan service. That said, it is the handling of Maul and Kenobi’s confrontation in which “Twin Suns” excels.The dialog between Maul and Kenobi is written to perfection and performed brilliantly by Stephen Stanton and Sam Witwer respectively. The back-and-forth between the two in the dim light of a fireplace in Tatooine’s desert is just as striking visually as it is compelling to hear how both characters have evolved - or devolved - since they last met.
When theduel between Maul and Kenobihappens, it is the restraint of “Twin Suns” not to feature a flashy, overly-choreographed battle that ranks it amongStar Wars’best TV episodes. The fight matches the samurai influence ofStar Warscloser than any other project to date, with a standoff accompanied by another beautiful score by Kevin Kiner. Kenobi’s switching stances and Maul’s unhinged nature lead the former to dispatch the latter in only three moves, calling back to the Duel of the Fates. All of this is perfectly executed, marking “Twin Suns” as a simply stunning episode.
June 11, 2025
With four previous episode appearances on this list, it seems Maul holds the key to crafting a brilliantStar WarsTV episode. The best of the bunch, and the best episode in the franchise, isStar Wars: The Clone Warsseason 7, episode 10, “The Phantom Apprentice.” This episode sees Ahsoka confronting Maul in her quest to free Mandalore, two episodes before both are caught up in Order 66 in “Victory and Death.” Bo-Katan’s exploits to free Mandalore are exciting in their own right, but it is Maul and Ahsoka’s conversation and lightsaber duel that makes “The Phantom Apprentice” peakStar Wars.
Like Kenobi and Maul’s conversation in “Twin Suns,” the back-and-forth between Maul and Ahsoka is exceptionally written. The impact their conversation has on the widerStar Warsfranchise is massive, with Maul telling Ahsoka of Sidious' plans for Anakin all while hinting at the impending Order 66. The conversation is chillingly delivered by Sam Witwer once more, with Ahsoka voice actor Ashley Eckstein matching him. Watching Ahsoka come so close to the truth about Sidious and Anakin before pulling back due to her distrust of Maul is frustrating, though this frustration makes for excellent, tension-fuelled drama.
Ahsoka and Maul’s clash in “The Phantom Apprentice” only further solidifies “Twilight of the Apprentice” as a great Star Wars episode when the two reunite.
The lightsaber fight that follows is not only one of the best inThe Clone Warsbut one of the best inStar Wars. Where hundreds of other episodes ofThe Clone Warshad lightsaber fights that were engaging, the CGI animation made them feel weightless, with no real sense of expert choreography, including “The Lawless.” “The Phantom Apprentice” removed this by having Lauren Mary Kim and original Maul actor Ray Park perform motion capture. The fight is thus much more fluid, thrillingly choreographed, and beautifully animated than any other inThe Clone Wars.
With this lightsaber battle rounding off the episode, “The Phantom Apprentice” has everything anyStar Warsfan could want; it has brilliant characters entering philosophical conversations voiced by veteran actors, franchise-best action sequences, ties to the largerStar Warsuniverse, a foreboding sense of dread, brilliant music from Kevin Kiner, and some of the highest animation quality ever put on screen. All of this combines to mark “The Phantom Apprentice” as aStar WarsTV episode without a single flaw, and still the best a galaxy far, far away has ever produced.
