How Much Every Live-Action Disney+ TV Show Costs, Explained

The Disney+ live action Star Wars the shows redefined the franchise, but each series costs a lot to make. When Disney+ launched, Lucasfilm had the opportunity to explore new types of storytelling and explore new parts of the universe. Star Wars timeline. The MandalorianDisney+’s flagship series, changed the franchise forever, serving as a connecting point between Star Wars original trilogy and sequels. Every show released since then, and every live-action Star Wars upcoming show introduced new characters and storylines, re-examined old stories, and explored different perspectives. Each project brought something unique to the franchise.

But these stories aren’t cheap to make. Beyond the original by George Lucas Star Wars film, which was made on a modest budget of US$11 million (approximately US$55 million today), and its sequels, Star Wars All productions have had massive blockbuster budgets – and live-action shows are no different. Each of these streaming shows was made on a movie budget. This is not entirely surprising, as Star WarsMore than most franchises, it relies heavily on special effects. One series, however, was decidedly more expensive than the others.

7

Obi Wan Kenobi

The lowest overall budget, but a high cost per episode

THE Obi Wan Kenobi miniseries, which examined Obi-Wan’s life on Tatooine years after leaving Luke with Owen and Beru Lars, is reportedly Star Wars‘cheapest live action program yet, with a total production budget of US$90 million (through Epic flow). This can be attributed to the number of episodes, as it is the only Star Wars Disney+ show will only produce six episodes – most others live-action Star Wars the shows produced eight episodes per season. However, this meant that each episode still cost around $15 million.

When the show first aired, audiences complained that the environments and CGI in Obi Wan Kenobi it seemed “cheap” compared to other productions with similar budgets. When Obi-Wan visits the Inquisitorius Fortress in episode 4, the environment has been compared to the same location in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Likewise, the Grand Inquisitor’s prosthetics have been questioned, especially when compared to his animated appearance in Star Wars Rebels. Given the show’s relatively high episodic budget, some of these complaints were generally justified.

6

Ahsoka

Ahsoka’s budget has not been officially confirmed by Lucasfilm

Ahsoka The first season saw Ahsoka Tano team up with her former apprentice, Mandalorian Sabine Wren from Star Wars Rebelsto prevent Grand Admiral Thrawn from returning to Star Wars‘primary galaxy. More than most others Star Wars show, Ahsoka delved deeply into the mystical side of Star Wars lore, featuring enormous space whales known as purrgil, the supernatural realm of The World Between Worlds, and plenty of lightsaber battles and Nightsister magic. As such, it is no surprise that Ahsoka had a blockbuster budget, though it’s still estimated to be lower than some of its fellow Disney+ shows.

Although the official budget for Ahsoka the first season has not yet been revealed, Most estimates put the full eight-episode season at around $100 million (through Dexerto). If this estimate is correct, it would mean that each episode cost around $12.5 million to make, slightly less than other related shows such as The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian. Now this Ahsoka has been renewed for Season 2, the show’s production budget could be increased to meet the demands of the story as the so-called “Mandoverse” approaches an epic climax with Grand Admiral Thrawn.

5

The Book of Boba Fett

The budget for the Book of Boba Fett is almost the same as the Mandalorian

The Book of Boba Fett was The MandalorianThe first proper spinoff, giving iconic legacy character Boba Fett a chance to shine. Unfortunately, given his placement in the timeline, Boba Fett was overshadowed by Din Djarin and Grogu. Despite only having seven episodes compared to The MandalorianOver the eight years, the scope was very similar, so it’s no surprise that both shows had comparable budgets. Boba Fett It is estimated that it had a budget of around US$15 million per episode (via Film on the web). This would put Boba Fetttotal budget slightly higher than Ahsoka‘sitting US$105 million for seven episodes.

4

The Mandalorian

Disney+’s flagship Star Wars show isn’t its most expensive

Despite being Star Wars‘s flagship live-action TV show, The Mandalorian It’s not the most expensive production. At $15 million per episode, a single season of The Mandalorian costs US$120 million to produce (via IGN). Given The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian share many of the same production challenges – shooting in Volume, creating dozens of Mandalorian costumes, practical effects, and so on – it makes sense that these shows would have similar budgets.

The total cost for all three seasons of The Mandalorian So far, then, it comes to incredible US$360 million. Interestingly, it was reported that The Mandalorian and Groguthe first of four announced Star Wars films, will have a budget similar to that of a season of The Mandalorian. However, keep in mind that this budget is on par with George Lucas’s budget Star Wars previous films – Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sithfor example, it had a budget of US$113 million.

3

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Skeleton Crew’s budget proves Lucasfilm’s belief in the concept

Very little is currently known about Star Wars‘next series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Starring Jude Law as an as-yet-unnamed Jedi, the series will see a group of children, lost in the galaxy, trying to find their way home. Inspired by 80s films like ET, the Extraterrestrial and The Goonies, Skeleton Crew it will certainly appeal to a wide target audience, which may explain the series’ reportedly high budget.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the entire budget for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is US$ 136 millionmore than US$15 million in more than one season of The Mandalorian. Skeleton Crewvery similar The Mandalorian and Ahsokawill reportedly consist of eight episodes in total. That would mean each episode would cost around $17 million, more than Obi Wan Kenobi, The Mandalorian, Ahsokaand The Book of Boba Fett.

2

The Acolyte

Acolyte’s pre-production budget is surprisingly high

Set during the High Republic Era a century before the events of the Skywalker saga The Acolyte presented a deeply flawed view of the Jedi Order. Directed by Leslye Headland, the Disney+ TV show told the story of two Force-sensitive twins whose lives fell apart due to the influence of the Jedi and who found their way to the Sith. It was deeply controversial and was canceled after its first season.

According to ForbesLucasfilm spent $49 million on pre-production alone – more than half Obi Wan Kenobibudget. The total budget was initially believed to be approximately US$170–180 million, but this turned out to be a dramatic underestimate; Tax returns filed in UK revealed Lucasfilm spent £172 million ($231 million) on the showmeaning the episodes had a budget of $28.75 million. Surprisingly, though, even this isn’t the most expensive Star Wars TV program to date.

1

Andor

Andor is the most expensive live-action Star Wars show on Disney+

Given Andorgrounded narrative, some may be surprised to discover that Andor is, by far, Star Wars‘most expensive live action show. A prequel to the billion-dollar box office Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andor Follow Cassian Andor’s path to become one of the Rebellion’s most effective agents. Each episode of Andor It costs between US$15-25 million to produce. Andor 1st season, unlike the other Star Wars Disney+’s live-action programs consisted of 12 episodes in total, bringing Andortotal budget for a season up to around US$250 million.

Much of Andor was filmed on location, and huge sets were built rather than making use of Volume like most other Star Wars shows did. This adds to the show’s grounded feel and has made it one of the most visually striking series in the franchise. While the budget is undeniably huge, the final product makes it clear where all that money went.

Andor the 2nd season, scheduled for release in early 2025, increased the budget in an incredible way, bringing Andor for one grand total of US$351.8 million when season 2 production began in November 2022, according to Forbes. This makes the cost Andor exceed that of Star Wars film it is based on: Rogue One: A Star Wars Storywhose budget was US$364.5 million. Andor It may be expensive, but it is also, without a doubt, an absolute triumph for Star Wars.