Fans of theStar Warsfranchise have been outspoken and passionate about their views of the prequel trilogy (and everything else, really). At the time of their release, fans only had their connection to the original three films. However, since the acquisition of Lucasfilm by the Walt Disney Corporation, there has been a slew ofStar Warsstories for a new generation of fans. With the fanbase growing through multiple generations, each can gravitate towards one era of the franchise. With that, agrowing appreciation for the prequel trilogyhas made its way towards the mainstream.
EpisodesI,II,andIIIhave been at the forefront of much controversy inStar Warsfandom. From certain characters to dialogue choices, there have been many critics of the trilogy. The prequel trilogy was abjectly hated by manyStar Warsfans at the time, with original reactions to the movies ranging from melancholic disappointment to apoplectic rage. When Disney first purchasedStar Wars, they downplayed the prequels as it had damaged the brand. Yet now the franchise is embracing the prequel trilogy era more with elements being brought intoThe Mandalorian,Obi-Wan Kenobi, andAhsoka.
However, these films are essential to theStar Warsstory and the Skywalker Saga. In addition to the crucial elements of these films that establish the entire storyline for major characters of the original trilogy, the prequels also opened up opportunities for new stories that fill in gaps of time. Various elements from the series have become more and more appreciated and accepted by fans, adding more depth and intrigue.
Update July 19, 2025:This article has been updated by Gaurav Krishnan to include more content about why theStar Warsprequels are loved.
George Lucas’Vision
Each of the films in the prequel trilogy is directed byGeorge Lucas, who is the creator of the entire franchise. While at the time fans were very upset at many of Lucas’s additions to the franchise, including the controversial decision to explain the Force with Midi-clorians, it is still clearly the project of George Lucas and his singular artistic vision.
Lucas is a unique voice, and while he can be accused of many things, sticking to the safe is not one of them. He clearly makes the movie he wants and is not afraid to be weird and make movies that jive with his sensibilities. While at the time, this might not have been appealing to many, as the years have gone on this bold take on a blockbuster feels very rare.
Originally the prequel trilogy was heavily criticized for the heavy emphasis on politics by many fans who wanted the rip-roaring adventure serial nature of the original trilogy. While the political elements of the films are a major part of much of the stilted dialogue, as the years have gone by the film’s embrace of politics, senate hearings, and the slow transition of democracy to a fascist government has become all the more fascinating and sadly real for many.
George Lucas making so much of the prequel films being centered around political meetings showed he was not dumbing the films down for kids, who were the primary audiences. He knew they could and would engage with the material, and also would likely help guide them as they got older to become more engaged with politics. Padme’s line “This is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause” is a haunting statement, one that seemed to ring true to an entire generation following the controversial 2016 election.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
While Sir Alec Guinness introduced audiences to the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ewan McGregor fleshed his character even more. Obi-Wan was near the center of all three prequel films, and established the friendship with Anakin Skywalker that audiences fell in love with.Obi-Wan Kenobi, his own series, capitalized on the growing appreciation for the prequel trilogy and gave fans more of what they loved from those films. The dynamic between Obi-Wan and Anakin was explored in the aftermath ofthe underratedRevenge of the Sith,and how the events of that film plagued the rogue Jedi.
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The Disney+ series also felt like it was a part of the prequel era. Each trilogy has its own look and tone to it, corresponding to the time period in which it was made.Obi-Wan Kenobiwas able to bring the new generation of fans growing up in the Disney+ era ofStar Warsto a previous era of the franchise when the prequels first arrived. The character of Obi-Wan primarily exists in the prequel era, where he acts as one of the most powerful Jedi. Seeing him in these films is a highlight of the entire trilogy. As his antithesis, his apprentice Anakin Skywalker’s rise and fall is the most prominent element of the prequels that should not be overlooked.
Anakin Skywalker, the Tragic Hero
The Fall of Anakin Skywalker is a story that relates more to a Greek tragedy than that of a science fiction narrative. It is a tale of how one’s own fatal flaw and hubris could overpower the fates. Anakin chose power over the way of the force, and his tragic ending before turning to the dark side is one of the most powerful moments of the entire saga. There is also an importance to seeing the man underneath the mask in the original trilogy.
WhenStar Warsinitially premiered back in 1977, audiences had no real idea of the story that existed beforehand. The prequels added a whole new layer to Darth Vader and realized his motivations towards the dark side. Without that, he would not have that extra compelling layer to his character. The prequels actually make the originalStar Warsfilms better by fleshing out characters like him.
John Williams' Star Wars Score
Of course, anyscore helmed by John Williamswill be a grand symphony or a compelling series of motifs. But within the prequels, there are many pieces by Williams that are arguably the most powerful in the franchise. While the opening theme and theImperial Marchare incredible pieces of music, the three prequels have explosive scores. In Episode I, audiences heard “The Duel of the Fates” theme towards the end of the film, a brilliant musical companion piece to the duel taking place. In Episode III, “Anakin vs. Obi-Wan"accompanies the clash between good and evil.Williams’Star Warsmusicperfectly accompanies the explosive visuals, which were often more captivating due to enhanced technological advancements in computer-generated images that the original trilogy did not yet have.
The Impact Of Clone Wars
It is hard to argue that no one thing has done more to rehibiliate the image of the Star Wars prequels was the popular animated series,Star Wars: The Clone Wars.This series was able to flesh out many of the ideas that the films never could. Taking place between the events ofAttack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sith, the series delves deep into the various aspects of the Clone Wars that audiences barely get to see in the movies.
Related:How Star Wars Finds Success With Different Generations
It also does a lot of the heavy-duty lifting for characterizations that the films never could dedicate to, from Anakin’s gradual fall from a great Jedi hero to his road down a dark path to exploring the vast array of background Jedi in the prequel films, to even introducing new fan favorites like Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex which gave new depth to various heroes.Clone Warshas been instrumental in leading to renewed interest and appreciation for theStar Warsprequels. Running for just over 120 episodes,Clone Warsis the most in-depth and comprehensive retelling of stories within the ever-expansiveStar Warsuniverse and for many was an entire generation’s entry point intoStar Wars.
The Audience of the Star Wars Prequels
Perhaps the largest reason theStar Warsprequels have become so popular and beloved by fans is that the fans who grew up with these films are old enough to voice their opinions on social media. The growing technological space for voicing opinions is becoming the hub forStar Warsfans to come together and share their appreciation for the films (or harass and hatefully attack people). This medium was not available to the kids who grew up withEpisodes I, II,andIIIback in the early 2000s.
Now that they are all grown up, they have this nostalgia related to the films, while also being able to appreciate the films without the massive hype that was built into them by the generation prior. The kids of the 1990s and 2000s are now becoming the major voices in film criticism and media analysis, and are bringing a new respect to the prequel trilogy.
