Few movie trilogies have generated as much debate as Disney's Star Wars sequel trilogy.
When Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, fans expected a continuation of one of cinema's most beloved stories. The return of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) promised a new era for the galaxy far, far away.
However, The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019) quickly became among the most controversial Star Wars movies ever released.
Many fans felt the trilogy failed to capture the magic of the original films. Others argued that the sequels attempted to explore ideas that previous Star Wars stories had avoided.
The original trilogy — A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983) — will always remain the foundation of Star Wars. These films introduced audiences to unforgettable characters and transformed science fiction filmmaking forever.
However, being the foundation does not mean they explored every possible direction.
Related: ‘Star Wars' Just Officially Erased the Skywalker Saga
Is the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Better Than the Original Films?
The sequel trilogy focused heavily on the consequences of legacy, particularly what happens when younger characters are forced to live under the shadow of legendary figures.
Rey (Daisy Ridley) was introduced as someone searching for answers about her past, but her journey became about discovering that identity is not simply determined by where someone comes from. Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) represented the opposite side of that idea. As Ben Solo, he was born into one of the most important families in the galaxy, yet he struggled with the expectations placed upon him.
That conflict created a villain who was not simply evil, but someone constantly battling himself.
The sequel trilogy also gave veteran characters new challenges. Instead of bringing back Luke Skywalker as the same hero audiences remembered, The Last Jedi explored what decades of failure and disappointment could do to someone once considered a legend.
That decision divided fans, but it also asked a question Star Wars had rarely explored: what happens when heroes fail?
The performances were another major strength. Adam Driver's portrayal of Kylo Ren became one of the most praised elements of the trilogy, while Daisy Ridley carried Rey through a story built around uncertainty and self-discovery.
Of course, the sequel trilogy had flaws. Its story direction changed dramatically between movies, and many fans felt The Rise of Skywalker struggled to resolve the conflicts created by its predecessors.
However, dismissing the sequels entirely ignores the ideas they attempted to explore.
Star Wars has always been about more than lightsaber battles and space adventures. At its best, the franchise examines family, identity, failure, and redemption. The original trilogy created the mythology, but the sequel trilogy questioned it.
Whether that makes Disney's Star Wars better is still up for debate, but after years of criticism, perhaps it's time to acknowledge that the sequels brought something new to a galaxy far, far away.
Which Star Wars trilogy do you prefer? Tell us in the comments below!
