A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away, Star Wars was synonymous with Jedi, lightsaber duels, and nostalgia-fueled storytelling. Then came Andor, a grounded, politically charged prequel to Rogue One that redefined what a galaxy far, far away could feel like. Now, with the first wave of reviews for Season 2 in, Andor has reached a new high.
At the time of writing and per THR, it is sitting at a staggering 98% on Rotten Tomatoes with 58 reviews counted. The sophomore season has become the highest-rated live-action Star Wars project to date, narrowly edging out its own debut season at 96%. It’s a rare feat in serialised storytelling, and one that reflects the creative conviction behind Tony Gilroy’s vision. Reviews were based on all 12 episodes (an unusual and telling vote of confidence from Lucasfilm) allowing critics to assess the season as a complete work rather than in fragments.
Following closely behind is Skeleton Crew, another recent Disney+ entry that earned a Certified Fresh rating of 92%. Yet the distinction lies in scope, as critics only saw a few episodes of Skeleton Crew prior to release, whereas Andor’s full season was available. That context makes the 98% score even more significant. Season 2 builds toward the events of Rogue One, with each trio of episodes covering a single year in the lead-up to Cassian Andor’s fateful mission. Rewatching Rogue One after finishing Season 2 has become a popular exercise, and many critics now see the film in a new light.
In third place, with a 94% favourable rating, The Empire Strikes Back is the universally regarded favourite of all the Star Wars films. In terms of the lowest scores, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has received the lowest reviews of any live-action Star Wars film, with just 51%. Solo: A Star Wars Story received 69% and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones received 61%.
Andor Season 2 will also serve as Tony Gilroy’s swan song from the Star Wars franchise. After reshaping Rogue One behind the scenes and helming Andor with creative precision, Gilroy is stepping away. It’s a decision that many fans and critics understand, even if they’re reluctant to see him go. He told the story he wanted to tell — without Jedi, without Sith — and proved there’s room in Star Wars for nuance, moral ambiguity, and the slow burn of rebellion. With his exit, the franchise loses one of its boldest modern voices, but Gilroy leaves behind a body of work that will likely inspire the next wave of storytellers who enter the galaxy far, far away.
As audiences prepare to watch three episodes a week through mid-May, Andor stands as a reminder of what happens when a franchise famous for spectacle makes room for storytelling that stares tyranny in the face — and dares to fight back.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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