10 Star Wars Shows and Movies to Watch After Andor
Considering how hit or miss Disney's recent Star Wars content has been, Andor has become all the more important to the reputation of a galaxy far, far away. Some see the show as the only hope for reviving the franchise that seems as faulty as the hyperdrive of the Millennium Falcon, but there's just one problem: Andor is over, and we're not getting another season.
Cassian's story may be done, but you can keep this prequel party rolling if you know what to watch. Pour yourself a tall glass of blue milk and keep reading to discover the Star Wars shows and movies you need to stream on Disney+ after finishing Andor.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
The second season of Andor used frequent time jumps to show the most important moments of Cassian Andor's rebel career. Accordingly, the last few episodes led directly to the events of Rogue One , a movie which provides multiple payoffs to all of Andor 's hard work. That's why Rogue One needs to be the first thing you watch after finishing Season 2.
That does mean enduring some heartbreak, of course, as Rogue One has arguably the bleakest ending in all of Star Wars. However, the pain is worth it because binge-watching Andor will only help you appreciate director Tony Gilroy's standout franchise film that much better. Upon rewatching, you might just join the growing legion of fans who insist that Andor Season 1, Andor Season 2, and Rogue One are now the definitive Star Wars prequel trilogy.
A New Hope
The heart-pumping climax of Rogue One led directly into the beginning of A New Hope . Because of this, you should make this first Star Wars film your next cinematic stop after witnessing the final fate of Cassian Andor. And while it's cool to see Luke Skywalker beginning his Jedi journey, the ending of Andor helps draw our attention more to the politics of Palpatine's Empire.
For example, after watching both Andor and the Prequel Trilogy, you can better appreciate what a big deal it was that the Emperor suddenly dissolved the entire Senate. It's also fascinating to note how Darth Vader isn't the top dog here, instead serving as Grand Moff Tarkin's particularly vicious attack dog. Finally, it's hard not to shed a few tears when the Death Star blows up when you remember the number of brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to remove this soulless superweapon from the face of the galaxy.
The Empire Strikes Back
After finishing A New Hope , it only makes sense to continue the adventures of your favorite heroes and villains by watching The Empire Strikes Back . While most fans enjoy this sober sequel for its focus on both mysticism and romance, Andor helps fans to understand and appreciate how much the Rebellion has grown in such a short time. It also helps underscore that the brutality of Darth Vader is merely a symptom of the evil Empire he serves.
In the last couple of films, it was clear that the Rebels were a ragtag group, one who only survived the Death Star due to Luke Skywalker's command of the Force. Empire showcases how Mon Mothma has organized everyone into a fighting force that can survive a sustained attack from a Sith Lord. And Vader's method of simply murdering subordinates who fail echoes Andor , where Dedra learns that everyone (loyal or not) is a disposable cog in Palpatine's infernal machinery.
Return of the Jedi
With the epic cliffhanger of The Empire Strikes Back , watching Return of the Jedi is mandatory. While the lightsaber battles and whiz-bang dogfights are cool and all, Andor helps fans to enjoy the subtler aspects of the film. Chief among them is the first onscreen appearance of Mon Motha, the Rebel leader whose character was absolutely crucial to the plot of Andor .
Arguably, the film's prolonged climax also offers a final payoff for Mon Mothma and Luthen Rael's efforts to establish an armed resistance against the Empire. Gone is the scattered Rebellion kept alive only by a farmboy and the whims of the Force. Now, we have a Rebel space force able to survive Palpatine's ultimate trap and a ground force able to defeat his very best troops. Checkmate, Sheev!
Star Wars Rebels
Considering that it is much more lighthearted than The Clone Wars , you might not think Star Wars Rebels has much in common with a show as deadly serious as Andor . However, Rebels actually takes place in the same timeframe as Andor , and its episodes highlight the difficulties Cassian Andor faced when trying to strike back against the bureaucratic fascism of the Empire.
If nothing else, you should watch the episode "Secret Cargo," which features an important cameo by Mon Mothma herself. She's actually in the midst of making her escape from Coruscant, and the Rebels crew (including fan-favorite Ezra Bridger) play a huge role in keeping her safe. This tale also prominently features Grand Admiral Thrawn, effectively helping connect this episode to Ahsoka as well as Andor .
For added fun, be sure to check out the episodes "Ghosts of Geonosis" and "In the Name of the Rebellion," both of which feature Forest Whitaker reprising his role (in voice only) from the live-action Star Wars shows and films.
Revenge of the Sith
One of the least-utilized features on Disney+ is the Extras section. If you venture into the extra features for Revenge of the Sith , you'll discover far more than a trailer for this final film in the Prequel Trilogy. You'll also discover a wealth of deleted scenes that help to make arguably the best of the prequels even better.
For Andor fans, the real joy of these deleted scenes is the introduction of Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma. When her scenes were cut, it seemed like the actor's killer performance of this iconic character might go unnoticed by most fans. But O'Reilly reprised the role in both Rogue One and Andor , and now that she's won over all but the most jaded fans, it's great to see the beginning of her Star Wars journey.
The Clone Wars
One of the more interesting characters in Rogue One was Saw Gerrera, an extremist Rebel played by Forrest Whitaker. It felt like stunt casting at the time, but Whitaker went on to memorably reprise his role in Andor , including making an appearance in the show's final episode. And those who love Gerrera now have the chance to revisit his original incarnation, which debuted in The Clone Wars animated series years before Whitaker took the role.
In The Clone Wars , the character debuts in Season 5, playing a pivotal role in the Onderon Arc. Voiced by Andrew Kishino, this character is introduced as a Che Guevara figure who receives military training from Anakin Skywalker, setting up his later arcs in Rogue One , Rebels , and Andor . Considering that Star Wars has always been political (sorry, YouTube talking heads), it's also fascinating to ponder how this fictional character's history mirrors certain real-world rebellions against authority.
The Bad Batch
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is a captivating series in its own right, whose antiheroes' misadventures feel like a Star Wars mod of the usual narrative formula. Andor fans should tune into the premiere episode "Aftermath," which prominently features a cameo by Saw Gerrera (voiced by his original actor, Andrew Kishino). He finds himself in stark opposition to the titular Bad Batch, who were dispatched by Grand Moff Tarkin to snuff out some refugees from Onderon.
He pops up again in the Season 2 episode "The Summit," this time gunning for Tarkin. Both appearances emphasize the rough edges of the character portrayed in Andor , all while establishing why Mon Mothma might shy away from his extremist methods. As for me, I'm still holding out for Disney to sell a "Saw Gerrera Was Right" t-shirt.
Visions
Because Star Wars: Visions is an anthology show, many of its episodes have nothing to do with the events of Andor . However, I'd make the case that you should definitely watch the episode "Lop & Ochō" after finishing Andor 's second season. This episode features a planet that is joining the Empire, but that causes some serious strife within the family of a planetary leader who opposes Imperial control and one of his daughters who welcomes the Empire as liberators.
Unlike some of the movies and episodes on this list, this non-canonical tale doesn't feature any high-profile cameos from Andor characters, nor does its storyline directly intersect with Cassian's story. But I recommend it for its portrayal of how fascism in Andor affects those throughout the galaxy, sowing the seeds for the inevitable Rebellion.
Tales of the Empire
Tales of the Empire is another show that doesn't connect directly to the events of Andor . However, I'd argue that it's required viewing for Imperial fans, and the episode "The Path of Anger" features the Empire at its height. Despite this, cracks in Imperial control first glimpsed in Andor are on full display, showcasing how constant betrayals and infighting always keep the Empire from its full potential.
And the episodes "Devoted" and "Realization" continue in this vein, illustrating how (as Leia once warned) the Empire manages to lose support the more it tightens its gloved fist. Clearly, this is an Empire built on fear. Is it any wonder it was toppled by a Rebellion built on hope?
Andor the show, like Andor the man, isn't coming back. But with these Disney+ movies and episodes, you can keep his spirit alive!
