5 Things Worth Knowing About What to Watch After The Rise of Skywalker
The first rule of what to watch after *The Rise of Skywalker is this: avoid the trap of chasing sequels or prequels. The temptation to binge every Star Wars spin-off is understandable, but it often leads to diminishing returns. Instead, focus on works that either elevate the themes of the saga or offer entirely new perspectives on familiar tropes. The second rule is flexibility. Some recommendations are essential viewing; others are mood-dependent. A film like Dune might feel like a necessity one week, while The Princess Bride could be the perfect palate cleanser the next. What follows isn’t ranked by quality—it’s structured by intent. The list begins with the most thematically aligned picks, moves to hidden gems, and ends with wildcards that might surprise even die-hard fans. The unifying thread? Each recommendation was chosen because it either mirrors the emotional beats of *The Rise of Skywalker or offers a counterpoint that sharpens appreciation for what came before.1. The Original Trilogy Revisited (But Not as You Remember It)
The original trilogy isn’t just background—it’s the foundation. Watching A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi again, this time with the benefit of hindsight, reveals layers that were lost in childhood viewings. The prequel films reshaped how audiences read the originals, but revisiting them now—especially Empire—highlights their unmatched pacing and moral ambiguity. Luke’s arc from wide-eyed farm boy to weary Jedi mirrors Rey’s journey in The Rise of Skywalker, but the original trilogy’s ending feels more earned. Han and Leia’s romance, for all its flaws, carries more weight than Finn and Rey’s rushed connection. The lesson? The best stories loop back on themselves. For a deeper dive, pair the original trilogy with The Making of Star Wars (1975) documentary. It’s a time capsule that explains why the films worked so well—George Lucas’s obsession with myth, the practical effects, and the collaborative chaos—and why The Rise of Skywalker struggled to recapture that magic. The documentary also underscores how Star Wars was never just a movie; it was a cultural reset. That’s the standard what to watch after *The Rise of Skywalker should aspire to.2. The Last Jedi as a Counterpoint (Not Just a Rebuttal)
The Last Jedi is often dismissed as divisive, but its boldest choices—Luke’s exile, Rey’s lineage reveal, the destruction of the First Order—force a reckoning with the themes The Rise of Skywalker tried to soften. Watching it again after The Rise isn’t about reliving the backlash; it’s about recognizing how The Last Jedi pushed the franchise forward in ways its successor didn’t. The film’s refusal to play safe mirrors The Rise’s attempt to please everyone, but with a critical difference: The Last Jedi trusted its audience to sit with discomfort. That’s a lesson for any fan grappling with what to watch after *The Rise of Skywalker: sometimes, the best next step is to confront what was left unresolved. Pair The Last Jedi with Blade Runner 2049 (2017). Both films reject neat resolutions, forcing characters—and audiences—to grapple with identity and legacy. Rey’s struggle with her past echoes K’s search for his father, while the desert planet of Crait becomes a metaphor for isolation, much like the neon-lit ruins of Los Angeles. The contrast between the two films’ endings—one hopeful, one bleak—highlights how The Rise of Skywalker tried to have it both ways. The takeaway? Great stories often demand sacrifice, even if the audience isn’t ready for it.3. Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024) as the Next Evolution If The Rise of Skywalker felt like a return to form, Dune and its sequel are what a modern epic should aspire to. Denis Villeneuve’s films aren’t just Star Wars analogues—they’re reimaginings of what a sci-fi saga can be. The political intrigue, the slow-burn world-building, and the emphasis on character over spectacle make them essential viewing for fans craving depth. Paul Atreides’ journey from idealist to conqueror mirrors Anakin’s fall, but Villeneuve avoids the prequel’s melodrama by grounding his story in mythic scale without sacrificing emotional nuance. The result? A franchise that feels both timeless and urgently relevant. The connection to The Rise of Skywalker is subtle but crucial: both films grapple with legacy and the cost of power, but Dune does so with a maturity that The Rise often lacked. Watching them back-to-back reveals how Star Wars could have leaned harder into its political themes—something The Mandalorian and Ahsoka are slowly correcting. For those wondering what to watch after *The Rise of Skywalker
, Dune isn’t just a distraction; it’s a masterclass in how to do it right.4. The Princess Bride (1987) as the Perfect Palate Cleanser
Not every recommendation needs to be a blockbuster. Sometimes, the best what to watch after *The Rise of Skywalker is something light, clever, and unapologetically fun. The Princess Bride is the antidote to the weight of the Skywalker saga. Its blend of adventure, romance, and meta-humor—“As you wish” as a running gag, the absurdity of Miracle Max—reminds viewers why Star Wars worked in the first place: it was a love letter to classic storytelling. The film’s structure, with its nested narratives, even foreshadows The Rise’s time jumps, but without the latter’s clumsiness. There’s a reason The Princess Bride has endured for decades: it’s a story about stories, much like Star Wars itself. Watching it after The Rise feels like a reset, a reminder that not every tale needs to be about destiny or redemption. It’s a film that trusts its audience to engage with its layers—from the fairy-tale framing to the dark humor—without over-explaining. In an era where franchises often prioritize spectacle over substance, The Princess Bride is a refreshing exception. For fans exhausted by Star Wars’ recent missteps, it’s a gentle reminder of what great storytelling can be.5. Attack on Titan (2013–2023) for Its Mythic Scope
For those who want what to watch after *The Rise of Skywalker that feels like a spiritual successor, Attack on Titan is the answer. Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid was a clear influence on The Rise’s later acts, but Attack on Titan shares more with Star Wars than most realize: a generational war, a chosen one trope subverted, and a world where the past refuses to stay buried. The series’ blend of horror, action, and philosophical depth makes it a perfect counterpoint to The Rise’s more conventional storytelling. Eren Yeager’s arc—from idealist to ruthless strategist—echoes Anakin’s fall, but with a modern, morally gray edge that The Rise only hinted at. What Attack on Titan offers that Star Wars lacks is unrelenting tension. The show’s pacing, its refusal to soften its world’s brutality, and its redefinition of heroism make it a masterclass in how to sustain a saga across seasons. For fans who loved The Rise’s later acts but wanted more stakes and ambiguity, Attack on Titan delivers. The only caveat? It’s a commitment—but one that pays off in ways The Rise’s rushed ending never could.
How These Facts Connect
The recommendations here aren’t random. They form a continuum from nostalgia to reinvention, each serving a purpose in the post-Rise landscape. The original trilogy and The Princess Bride act as anchors, reminding viewers why Star Wars resonated in the first place. The Last Jedi and Dune push boundaries, showing how the franchise could have evolved—one by embracing risk, the other by redefining epic scale. Attack on Titan represents the future of serialized storytelling, where moral complexity and world-building take precedence over franchise mandates. The table below distills the core contrasts:| Focus | Example | Why It Matters | Post-Rise Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nostalgia with Depth | A New Hope (revisited) | Proves the originals’ emotional resonance holds up. | Grounds expectations for new content. |
| Bold Reinvention | The Last Jedi | Shows how to challenge audiences without alienating them. | Offers a blueprint for future Star Wars risks. |
| Modern Epic Storytelling | Dune (2021) | Demonstrates how to balance spectacle and substance. | Sets a new standard for sci-fi sagas. |
| Serialized Complexity | Attack on Titan | Prioritizes character and world over franchise continuity. | Shows where Star Wars could go next. |
Conclusion
The Rise of Skywalker was the end of an era, but it doesn’t have to be the end of great storytelling. The films and shows recommended here prove that the best way forward isn’t to chase more *Star Wars—it’s to seek out stories that elevate the themes the saga introduced. Whether it’s the mythic weight of *Dune, the emotional rawness of *The Last Jedi, or the whimsy of The Princess Bride, each pick offers something The Rise lacked: time, trust in the audience, and a willingness to take risks. The post-Rise landscape is wide open. The challenge is to fill it with intention, not obligation. The recommendations here aren’t just alternatives—they’re invitations to rediscover why Star Wars mattered in the first place. And if nothing else, they remind fans that the best stories never really end—they just find new ways to begin.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Should I watch the prequels again after The Rise of Skywalker?
The prequels are worth revisiting, but with critical distance. The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones suffer from pacing and dialogue, but Revenge of the Sith remains a flawed masterpiece. The key is to watch them as a single arc, not as standalone films. Pair them with The Clone Wars (2008) animated series for context—it’s where the prequels’ best ideas were fully realized.
Q: Are there any Star Wars animated series worth watching post-Rise?
Yes, but with caveats. The Bad Batch (2021–present) is the safest bet—it expands the Clone Wars universe with depth and humor. Tales of the Jedi (2022) offers standalone stories, while Skeleton Crew (2024) is a wildcard that might not appeal to everyone. Avoid The Clone Wars (2008) if you’re tired of the prequel era; it’s essential but divisive. For pure escapism, Star Wars: Visions (2021–present) delivers stylistic variety, though quality varies.
Q: What if I want more Star Wars but nothing new has been released?
Turn to archival content. Star Wars: Underworlds (2020) is a missed opportunity, but Star Wars: Resistance (2018–2020) and Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (2017–2018) offer quick, character-focused fixes. For deeper cuts, Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) episodes like “The Gungan General” or “Rookies” are masterclasses in action and emotion. If you’re desperate, Star Wars: Rebels (2014–2018) is the closest thing to a modern classic—just skip the later seasons.
Q: Are there any live-action non-Star Wars films that feel like The Rise of Skywalker?
Not exactly, but Avengers: Endgame (2019) is the closest MCU equivalent. Both films rush their finales, but Endgame’s emotional payoffs (Tony’s arc, the time heals all trope) mirror The Rise’s attempts at closure. For something more original, Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) shares the scale and spectacle, while The Dark Knight (2008) matches The Rise’s moral complexity—just with better execution.
Q: How do I handle the post-Rise Star Wars drought?
Reframe it as an opportunity. The lull between major releases is when franchises rediscover their roots. Use this time to explore adjacent genres: cyberpunk (Blade Runner 2049), space operas (The Expanse), or even Western-inspired sci-fi (Firefly). The goal isn’t to fill the void but to broaden your cinematic diet. When new Star Wars content finally arrives, you’ll be sharper, more discerning, and ready to engage critically—not just as a fan, but as someone who understands what makes great storytelling work.
