Kathleen Kennedy will always be inseparable from modern Star Wars projects, which you can watch on Disney+ and Hulu. But after 14 years leading Lucasfilm, she is officially stepping down, closing a chapter that fundamentally reshaped the franchise for a new generation. Her tenure was defined by ambitious choices that started with bringing Star Wars back to theaters and expanding it into the streaming era.
Lucasfilm will now move forward under a dual leadership model, with Dave Filoni stepping in as president and chief creative officer alongside Lynwen Brennan as co-president. Filoni brings deep storytelling credibility and an almost spiritual connection to the franchise's lore, while Brennan offers the business and operational precision needed to steady the ship.
But Kennedy's story with Star Wars isn't finished. She will remain a producer on the next two theatrical releases, The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) and Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), ensuring her creative fingerprint still shapes the franchise's cinematic return. So, as her era comes to a close, this feels like the perfect moment to rank the major Star Wars projects of the Kennedy era from worst to best.
12. The Acolyte (2024)
Set in the final days of the High Republic era, The Acolyte follows Verosha Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg), a former Padawan who gets mixed up in a series of darkside crimes that challenge the Jedi's moral authority. As secrets unravel, the show reframes the Jedi not as flawless heroes but as an institution with blind spots. It's a mystery-driven Star Wars story that leans heavily into political and philosophical themes.
This series lands at the bottom of the list not because it lacks ambition, but because its execution never fully matches its fascinating premise. Still, Kennedy deserves credit for backing a project that was brave enough to explore the Sith from an unconventional angle, which is something Star Wars has rarely done in live action. It's best suited for viewers who enjoy lore-heavy storytelling and moral gray areas.
11. Skeleton Crew (2024-2025)
Skeleton Crew is set about five years after the fall of the Galactic Empire. The story follows four children who get lost in the galaxy after making a discovery on their home planet, At Attin. As they try to find their way home, the group faces unexpected dangers and meets new friends. The series is basically a Star Wars adventure mixed with classic coming-of-age storytelling. And the result is a lighter, more family-focused take on the franchise. This series lands on the lower end of the list simply because its impact on the wider Star Wars mythos is smaller, not because it lacks charm.
Kennedy's era was about expanding Star Wars into different genres, and Skeleton Crew is her most direct nod to '80s-style kid adventure cinema like The Goonies (1985). It's perfect for families and younger viewers who want a softer entry point into the franchise. While it doesn't redefine Star Wars the way some series do, it succeeds as a reminder that this universe can still be playful.
10. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Solo: A Star Wars Story explores the early years of Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich), showing how he met Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and Lando (Donald Glover) and how he became the smuggler we know. It's a heist-style adventure filled with criminal underworld intrigue. The film aims to humanize a legendary character before his rebellion days.
Kennedy's decision to greenlight a Han Solo origin story was interesting but risky, especially for a character so deeply associated with Harrison Ford. It ranks low because it feels like an unnecessary addition in the franchise, even when it's entertaining, making it a cautionary tale of how nostalgia can overreach. Still, it's ideal for fans who enjoy lighter, pulpy Star Wars adventures.
9. The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022)
The Book of Boba Fett follows the legendary bounty hunter (Temuera Morrison) as he attempts to reinvent himself as the ruler of Tatooine's criminal underworld by taking over the territory once controlled by Jabba the Hutt. Instead of vengeance, Boba seeks order and respect in a lawless society. This series finds itself in the middle of the list because it never fully commits to its own premise.
Kennedy's choice to focus on Boba Fett reflects her era's fascination with legacy characters. But the show often feels unsure of whether it wants to be gritty or heroic. While Morrison brings quiet dignity to the role, the story is frequently overshadowed by appearances from The Mandalorian (2019) cast. It's best for fans who love the extended Mando-verse, but as a standalone story, it lacks some narrative confidence.
8. Andor (2022)
Andor chronicles the operations of the Galactic Empire's government and how its actions affect ordinary citizens. Beginning five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and A New Hope (1977), the series details the formation of the Rebel Alliance. The story follows Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a thief who eventually, and slightly reluctantly, joins the Rebellion. This series lands mid-list only because its plot is very specific.
Kennedy backing Andor was one of her bravest creative decisions, proving that Star Wars could function as prestige television. It's a must for fans who enjoy grounded storytelling and complex themes. However, its slow pace and lack of familiar franchise elements have made it a less popular choice among fans. Still, the series is extraordinarily artistic, even if it isn't a universal hit.
7. Ahsoka (2023-Present)
Ahsoka follows former Jedi apprentice Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) as she goes in search of a lost ally while confronting threats beyond the known galaxy. It directly continues storylines introduced in Star Wars Rebels (2014), deepening the mythology of the Force. The series is an interesting mix of mysticism, political intrigue, and emotional closure, offering long-awaited arcs for legacy characters.
It's one of the purest expressions of Kennedy's collaboration with Dave Filoni, merging her production sensibilities with his deep Star Wars lore. But the series lands in the middle of the list because there's an assumption of knowledge about past series and the broader Star Wars canon. The series is ideal for long-time fans, even if its plot accessibility remains limited for casual viewers.
6. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
The Rise of Skywalker begins as the Resistance prepares for its final battle with the First Order. Rey (Daisy Ridley) discovers a shocking truth about her lineage. Old threats return, which also sets the stage for the saga's ultimate confrontation with the Sith. The film is a spectacle-driven finale, filled with emotion and fan service, reminding us that managing audience expectation is tough.
The movie is placed toward the top of the list because it epitomizes Kennedy's era at its most conflicted—ambitious but constrained by expectations and the need to course-correct after the previous film in the sequel trilogy. While the story sometimes feels rushed and a little overcrowded, Star Wars fans will love it to pieces for bringing the trilogy to a close.
5. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
The Last Jedi follows Rey (Ridley), who is being trained to use the Force by a very reluctant Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), while the Resistance fights for survival. The story challenges conventional ideas of legacy and what it means to be a hero. It also explores moral ambiguity and personal responsibility. The movie ranks high because it is Kennedy's boldest gamble, supporting director Rian Johnson in telling a story that defies formula.
Although the film proved divisive in terms of fans' expectations, it succeeded in expanding the thematic scope of Star Wars. Kennedy's confidence in backing such a polarizing vision showed her commitment to taking creative risks, even when audience reaction was uncertain. While it unsettled some fans, The Last Jedi is a must for every Star Wars die-hard.
4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Set 30 years after the Battle of Endor, The Force Awakens mirrors the structure of the original trilogy as General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) searches for her brother, Luke Skywalker (Hamill). A scavenger named Rey (Ridley) and former stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) team up with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to deliver Luke's location to the Resistance.
It takes up the fourth spot on the list because Kennedy successfully resurrected the franchise for a new audience with this project, while honoring its legacy. While its reliance on nostalgia is sometimes cited as a limitation, it was a necessary first step in re-engaging fans. Its ranking reflects its importance as the foundation of new Star Wars storytelling, making it suitable for franchise newbies and long-time fans.
3. The Mandalorian (2019-2023)
The Mandalorian follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), the titular lone bounty hunter who forms an unexpected bond with a Force-sensitive child, Grogu, who he must protect from Imperial remnants. As they navigate the dangers of a post-Empire galaxy, their journey becomes a mix of Western-style storytelling with Star Wars mythology that expands the tone and scope of the universe.
The series earns third place on the list because it revitalized Star Wars on streaming platforms, proving that the franchise could succeed outside theaters. Kennedy's decision to back a new, smaller-scale story allowed for the creation of fresh characters, inventive narratives, and a few surprises. The show is perfect for fans of action-adventure stories and Star Wars fans.
2. Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
Obi-Wan Kenobi follows the titular Jedi Master (Ewan McGregor), who lives in hiding on Tatooine to watch over a young Luke Skywalker (Grant Feely). When he is tasked with saving Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair), Obi-Wan must confront the guilt and unfinished battles from his past. The series successfully bridges the gap between the prequel and original trilogies.
Obi-Wan Kenobi lands in the number two spot because it delivers one of the most emotionally resonant experiences of Kennedy's era. The series offers deep character work and reconciliation, especially for fans who grew up with the prequels (although newcomers to the franchise will also enjoy it). McGregor's return adds gravitas, while the narrative carefully balances nostalgia with new plot points.
1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story follows Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), who happens to be the daughter of the man who created the Death Star. She eventually leads a group of rebels on a mission to steal the plans for the Empire's deadly weapon, leading directly into Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). The film reframes hope as hard-won and earned through loss.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story earns its place at the top of this list because it is narratively essential, hits all the right emotional marks, and expands the scope of the entire franchise without rewriting any of the lore. The film's ranking also reflects its long-lasting influence, making it the best example of Kennedy's legacy. The movie is a must for every Star Wars fan and anyone who enjoys a good epic space opera.
