Skeleton Crew is 'fun, joyful' and the most enjoyable Star Wars title 'in years'

Star Wars fans can finally travel back to a galaxy far, far away as a brand-new series debuts online. Available to stream now, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is the latest live-action series set between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, taking place around the same time period as the likes of The Mandalorian.

The eight-part series is inspired by Amblin Entertainment’s 1980s coming-of-age films such as The Goonies and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and follows a group of young children searching for their home planet after they get lost on a dangerous, planet-hopping adventure. Its official synopsis reads: “Skeleton Crew follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy.

“Finding their way home – and meeting unlikely allies and enemies – will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.”

Skeleton Crew is available to stream on Disney+, which fans can join from £4.99 a month for the Standard with Ads plan. Members can save up to £25.98 by paying for a year up front on the Standard or Premium plan for £89.90 or £129.90 respectively, bagging the equivalent of 12 months for the price of 10.

The series hails from Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, the duo best-known for helming Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. It sees Jude Law make his first foray into the Star Wars universe as a mysterious force-user called Jod Na Nawood – who may or may not be a Jedi.

He stars alongside a handful of young newcomers portraying Skeleton Crew’s adventurous youngsters, alongside American musician and actor Tunde Adebimpe, The Banshees of Inisherin’s Kerry Condon and Shaun of the Dead’s Nick Frost as the voice of new droid SM-33. There’s also some big names behind the scenes, with Watts, Bryce Dallas Howard and the ‘Daniels’ – the Oscar-winning filmmakers behind Everything Everywhere All at Once – directing select episodes.

Skeleton Crew has already racked up some impressive reviews, including a 95 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, the third-highest of any Star Wars show behind only Andor and Star Wars: Visions: Volume 1 – though this is likely to change as the series goes on. The Hollywood Reporter hailed it as ‘probably the best non-Andor Star Wars series since The Mandalorian’, while Variety called it a ‘purely nostalgic kids’ adventure’ that takes the franchise ‘back to its kid-friendly roots’.

Fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many taking to social media to share their initial thoughts on the show’s two-part debut. Writing on X, one viewer said: “Skeleton Crew is the most enjoyable Star Wars thing I’ve seen in years. It was very fun and I look forward to more of it.”

Another echoed: “Skeleton Crew is the most fun I’ve had with Star Wars in over half a decade. Who didn’t dream of living out their childhood Star Wars fantasies? Skeleton Crew puts us right back in those shoes. Pure joy that channels the fun of the trilogy with a Spielbergian sense of heart and adventure.”

While a third said: “Anyone else just watch Skeleton Crew with a massive smile on their face the whole time? This show is so much fun, so joyful and exactly what we needed right now.”

“Skeleton Crew is like stepping back into my childhood, where the galaxy felt vast and full of endless wonder,” another fan said. “It’s pure fun, with creatures and droids that breathe life into the universe – something other Star Wars series have been missing. Jude Law is a cosmic force of charm and mystery and I can’t stop watching. The journey is just beginning and I’m hooked.”

Another X user said said: “Skeleton Crew was so much fun. The cast is likable, the 80s throwback vibes are immaculate, and I would give my life to protect this stupid elephant thing.”

However, not everyone was sold on the series, as one less-impressed viewer said: “A solid opening, with obvious nods to the first scene in A New Hope. It quickly descends into bad high school child acting and dodgy CGI, with annoying characters we’re supposed to care about. Too real-world and lacks the Star Wars feel. Boring.”

Elsewhere, Sky has just unveiled a major shake-up of its TV packages, including the launch of its new Essential TV plan. For £15 a month, this includes Sky Stream and Sky Atlantic, plus subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+, with film fans able to add Sky Cinema for £10.