New Disney+ Show Just Became the Highest-Rated ‘Star Wars’ TV Show Ever, and It Absolutely Earned It

Few corners of the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy have been as consistently compelling as the animated universe that Dave Filoni built, stretching from the beloved ‘Clone Wars’ to ‘Rebels’ and beyond. That animated tradition has always carried a certain weight for dedicated fans, offering depth and character work that the live-action films and series sometimes struggle to match. It set a high bar, and for years, that bar seemed difficult to clear.

‘Star Wars: Maul: Shadow Lord’ premiered on Disney+ on April 6, 2026, consisting of ten episodes released in pairs each week leading up to Star Wars Day on May 4. The series was created by Dave Filoni for Lucasfilm Animation, taking place after the events of ‘The Clone Wars’ and following former Sith Lord Maul during the reign of the Galactic Empire. From the moment the first episodes landed, it was clear this was something different.

Now, the numbers back it up. Rotten Tomatoes confirmed that ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ holds a 98% critics score based on 40 reviews, with a critical consensus describing the series as an inspired look into the depths of an iconic character that proves the ‘Star Wars’ saga can continue in masterful spades through animation. That score officially makes it the highest-rated ‘Star Wars’ TV show on the platform, a title it has claimed with authority.

The first episode pulled in 4.1 million views globally within its first seven days on Disney+, and the series ranked as one of the top titles on the Disney+ Top 10 Today every single day since its premiere. Critics praised the show’s dark, noir-inspired tone and visual ambition, with Screen Rant’s Lewis Glazebrook singling out its animation as the standout element from the very first frame, and Inverse calling it the best-looking ‘Star Wars’ animation ever made.

Much of the show’s success is rooted in the lived-in relationship between its star and the character he has voiced for over a decade. Speaking with StarWars.com, Sam Witwer described this as “the most psychologically satisfying version of the character” he has ever portrayed, noting that Maul is in a place of reassessment as the galaxy around him transforms under Imperial rule. That emotional grounding gives the series a texture that sets it apart from typical action-driven animated fare.

The show’s 98% critics score sits alongside an 89% audience score, pointing to a rare alignment between press enthusiasm and fan satisfaction that has not always been easy for ‘Star Wars’ projects to achieve in recent years. Critics note that ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ continues a trend of grounded, morally complex characters leading the franchise’s strongest recent storytelling, following in the footsteps of ‘Andor’ and ‘The Mandalorian’.

Lucasfilm president and chief creative officer Dave Filoni said of the series, “I’m very proud of our team as they continue to challenge themselves and raise the bar on our animated shows,” adding that he and the team are “really happy that fans are enjoying it.” With a second season already confirmed to be in development, the age of Maul has only just begun.

Let us know in the comments what you think about ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ claiming the top spot among ‘Star Wars’ TV shows on Rotten Tomatoes.