A galaxy far, far away just got a youthful and thrilling upgrade with Star Wars: Skeleton Crew! This latest Disney+ series brings a Spielberg-inspired twist to the Star Wars universe, blending the adventurous spirit of The Goonies with the charm of middle-class life in the New Republic. Imagine stressed-out adults, curious kids roaming on (speeder)bikes, and the excitement of discovering a spacecraft hidden in the woods—this is Skeleton Crew in a nutshell. And it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before in Star Wars.
Created by Jon Watts, the director behind Marvel’s beloved Tom Holland Spider-Man films, Skeleton Crew is all about embracing what made Star Wars magical in the first place: fun, whimsy, and a sense of boundless adventure. While shows like Andor leaned into serious storytelling, Skeleton Crew takes the opposite approach, delivering a family-friendly story filled with humor, heart, and a dash of ’80s Amblin blockbuster nostalgia.
As I write this, critics are raving, with Skeleton Crew earning an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 45 reviews.) Reviews praise its talented young cast, incredible puppetry, practical effects, and fresh alien designs that feel like a callback to Star Wars’ classic roots. The creative team has poured their energy into crafting a series that surprises and delights at every turn, with just enough uniqueness to capture even the most jaded fans.
Though Skeleton Crew doesn’t tie heavily into existing Star Wars lore, this might just be its greatest strength. Free from the weight of interconnected stories, it carves out its own identity while honoring the adventurous spirit that first captivated audiences in 1977.
Whether you’re a longtime Star Wars fan or just looking for a fun, family-friendly sci-fi adventure, Skeleton Crew is a refreshing reminder of why we fell in love with this galaxy in the first place. So grab your treasure map—or maybe a hologram—and get ready to join a crew of misfit kids on a journey through a galaxy filled with surprises, laughs, and plenty of heart. This is the Star Wars-meets-Goonies adventure you’ve been waiting for!