New streaming data paints shockingly grim picture for Disney’s awful “Star Wars” sequels

“Happy”“Star Wars” Day to all who rejoice! And, in response to Nielsen data launched this morning, that is plenty of you.

And I imply quite a bit.

To celebrate May 4thidentified in Star Wars circles as May the Fourth, the well-known data-keeper for all issues TV revealed some fairly beautiful data associated to how viewers watch Star Wars in 2026. Obviously, it is all by streaming now, particularly on Disney+, which owns the rights to the franchise.

Because of that, we are able to fairly simply get a gauge on what strikes the needle, and, extra importantly, what does not.

For over a decade now, Disney has owned Star Wars. And, for over a decade now, followers have bashed them for ruining the beloved franchise. Ironically sufficient, this new data — all courtesy of Disney+ — paints a grim picture:

Not solely are folks not watching the three sequel films — “The Force Awakens,” “The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker” — folks actually aren’t even acknowledging their existence.

Disney’s huge Star Wars mistake is now etched in historical past

Look at that graphic, courtesy of Nielsen. It’s jarring. We already knew it was unhealthy, however I’m undecided we knew it was this unhealthy.

Nielsen tracked the highest 10 Star Wars films followers streamed final May 4th, and the three new Disney installments did not even sniff the listing. Now, to be truthful, “Andor” was No. 1, and that is clearly a Disney product.

But, there is a huge caveat: “Andor” was in the course of its second and ultimate season this time final 12 months. So, naturally, it was going to do huge numbers. Still, “Andor” has acquired common reward from followers, outdated and new, which is one thing we’ll get into right here in a bit.

Tony Gilroy attends the Andor Season 2 CAA Q&A Screening in Los Angeles, California, on June 1, 2025.

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The foremost takeaway, although? We knew the sequel saga was a catastrophe. The final two films have been a practice wreck, with “The Rise of Skywalker” being universally hated and a field workplace catastrophe within the Star Wars universe. Oddly sufficient, the three prequel films all made the listing pretty simply.

As somebody who grew up throughout the prequel period, I really like these films. When they have been launched, nevertheless, followers have been fairly heat about them. I’d say they actually weren’t actually appreciated till this newest batch of films got here out, primarily as a result of of us realized how good we had it with George Lucas.

Here’s one other scorching take: “Revenge of the Sith” is the very best Star Wars film ever made. But, that is a narrative for one other time.

Anyway, again to the flamboyant graphics!

Star Wars followers agree on one factor

That one’s fascinating, too. It’s additionally a serious wake-up name for Disney when it comes to the way forward for Star Wars. “Andor,” as soon as once more, resonates with a big portion of the fan base. Millennials and Gen X each streamed “Andor” greater than the rest. That’s an enormous chunk of the viewers. Over 30 years of fandom!

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It’s now Disney’s job to determine what they did proper with “Andor,” and why it resonates with such a big chunk of Star Wars followers.

Better storytelling? Certainly.

Do followers used it as a bridge to the unique saga? Probably. That’s form of the purpose. It goes again to what Star Wars was, at its core, again within the day: the Rebellion vs. the Empire.

Perhaps a tonal shift again to that’s the key?

I do not know the reply. I’m an enormous Star Wars fan, and the newest three-movie arc was so past disappointing, it is exhausting for me to get enthusiastic about something associated to the franchise anymore.

I’m additionally not alone. Disney is about to launch it is first theatrical Star Wars since “The Rise of Skywalker” later this month in “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” It’s a giant deal for Disney because it seems to be to get out of this Star Wars funk they have been in for the higher a part of a decade.

Comedian Jamie Kennedy criticized Disney for firing actress Gina Carano from Star Wars as a result of her conservative social media posts. (Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic)

Late final month, business web site Box Office Theory reported that the opening weekend field workplace prediction for the upcoming movie based mostly on pre-release ticket gross sales is simply $71 million. In phrases of Star Wars films, that is horrendous.

Even the opening weekend of “Solo,” which is taken into account one of many weaker movies within the Disney period, can be about $110.5 million in at this time’s {dollars}, adjusted for inflation.

Not nice!

Does Disney take this new data and use it? I doubt it. They’ve given us no purpose to consider they are going to.

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But it is clear, and it confirms what we have all identified for some time now: The Star Wars sequel movies have been an unmitigated catastrophe for Disney.

So a lot so, that folk now act like they do not even exist.