How much each live action Disney+ TV show costs, explained

The live action Disney + Star Wars Shows have redefined the franchise, but each series costs quite a lot to make. When Disney+ launched, Lucasfilm had an opportunity to explore new types of storytelling and delve into new parts of those Star Wars Timeline. The MandalorianDisney+’s flagship series, changed the franchise forever, and serves as a connecting point between Star Wars Original trilogy and the sequels. Every show released since then, and every live-action Star Wars Shows yet to come introduced new characters and lore, rehashed old stories and explored different perspectives. Each project has brought something unique to the franchise.

But these stories are not cheap to make. Except for George Lucas’ original Star Wars movie, which was made on a modest $11 million budget (roughly $55 million today), and its sequels, Star Wars Productions have all had massive blockbuster-level budgets—and the live-action shows are no different.. Each of these streaming shows is made on a movie-level budget. That’s not entirely surprising, like Star WarsMore than most franchises, relies heavily on special effects. One series was decidedly more expensive than the rest.

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 dropping Luke off with Owen and Beru Lars, is reportedly Star Wars‘ Least expensive live-action show to date, with A full production budget of $90 million (via Epic Stream). One can attribute this to the number of episodes, as this is the only one Star Wars Disney + show to produce only six episodes – most of the other live-action Star Wars 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 Considered “cheap” compared to other productions with similar budgets. When Obi-Wan visited Fortress Inquisitorius in Episode 4, the environment was compared to the same location in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Immediately, the Grand Inquisitor’s prosthetics were called into question, especially when compared to his animated appearance in Star Wars Rebels. Given the relatively high episode budget of the show, some of the complaints are generally justified.

6

Ahsoka

Ahsoka’s budget has not been officially confirmed by Lucasfilm

Ahsoka Season 1 saw Ahsoka Tano team up with her former apprentice, the Mandalorian Sabine Wren of Star Wars RebelsTo prevent Grand Admiral Tron from returning to Star Wars‘Primary Galaxy. More than most others Star Wars show, Ahsoka delved deep into the mystical side of Star Wars Learn, with massive space whales known as Purgil, the otherworldly realm of the world between worlds, and many lightsaber battles and Nightsister magic. As such, it is no surprise that Ahsoka has a blockbuster-level budget, although it is still estimated to be lower than some of its fellow Disney+ shows.

Although the official budget for Ahsoka Season 1 is yet to be revealed, Most estimates put the full, eight-episode season at around $100 million (via Dexerto). If the estimate is correct, it would mean that each episode cost around $12.5 million to make, slightly lower than other related shows like The Book of Boba Fett And The Mandalorian. Now that Ahsoka Has been renewed for season 2, the show’s production budget may have been increased to match the demands of the story as the so-called “Mandoverse” builds to an epic climax with Grand Admiral Thrawn.

5

The Book of Boba Fett

The budget of Boba Fett’s book is almost the same as The Mandalorian

The Book of Boba Fett was The Mandalorian‘s first proper spinoff, giving iconic legacy character Boba Fett a chance to shine. Unfortunately, given his placement on the timeline, Boba Fett is overshadowed by Din Djarin and Grogu. Despite only seven episodes compared to The MandalorianEighth, the scope was very similar, so it’s no surprise that both shows would have comparable budgets. Boba Fat is estimated to have a budget of around $15 million per episode (via Movie Web). This would set Boba Fats total budget slightly higher than Ahsokas, at $105 million for seven episodes.

4

The Mandalorian

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

Despite being Star Wars‘ flagship live-action television show, The Mandalorian Is not the most expensive product. At $15 million per episode, one season of The Mandalorian Cost $120 million to produce (via IGN). Granted The Book of Boba Fett And The Mandalorian Sharing many of the same production challenges – shooting in the volume, the creation of dozens of Mandalorian costumes, practical effects, and so on – it makes sense that the shows would have similar budgets.

The total price for all three seasons of The Mandalorian So far comes in 360 million dollars. Interestingly enough, it is reported that The Mandalorian & GroguThe first of four announced Star Wars movies, will have a similar budget as one season of The Mandalorian. However, keep in mind that this budget is on par with the budget for George Lucas’ Star Wars prequel movies – Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the SithFor example, has a budget of $ 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‘ upcoming series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. The series, starring Jude Law as a yet-to-be-named Jedi, will see a group of children, lost in the galaxy, try to find their way home. Inspired by ’80s movies like et the extra-terrestrial And The Gunnies, Skeleton Crew is sure to appeal to a wide demographic, which may explain the series’ reportedly high budget.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The entire budget for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is $136 millionOver $15 million more than one season of The Mandalorian. Skeleton CrewMuch like The Mandalorian And Ahsokais reportedly set to consist of eight episodes in total. This would mean that each episode will cost approximately $17 million, more than Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Mandalorian, AhsokaAnd The Book of Boba Fett.

2

The acolyte

The Acolyte’s pre-production budget is surprisingly high

Set in the High Republic era, a century before the events of the Skywalker saga, The acolyte presented a deeply flawed vision of the Jedi Order. With Leslie Headland, the Disney + TV show tells the story of two Force-sensitive twins whose lives unravel 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 of Obi-Wan Kenobis budget. At first it was believed that the total budget was about 170-180 million dollars, but this turned out to be a dramatic underestimate; Tax returns filed in the UK disclosed Lucasfilm spent £172 million ($231 million) on the showMeaning the episodes had a budget of $28.75 million. Surprisingly, though, even this is not the most expensive Star Wars TV show to date.

1

Andr

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

Granted Andrs grounded narrative, some may be surprised to discover that Andr is, by far, Star Wars‘ Most expensive live-action show. A prequel to the billion-dollar grossing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andr Follow Cassian Andor’s path to becoming one of the Rebellion’s most effective agents. Every episode of Andr Cost between $15-25 million to produce. Andr Season 1, unlike the others Star Wars Disney + live-action shows, consisting of 12 episodes in total, bring Andrs total budget for one season up to Around $250 million.

much of Andr was shot on location, and massive sets were built instead of using the band, like most others Star Wars Shows have done. This adds to the grounded feel of the show and has made it one of the franchise’s most visually striking series. Although the budget is undeniably massive, the final product makes it clear where all the money went.

Andr Season 2, expected to be released in early 2025, has updated the budget an incredible amount, bring Andr to a total of $351.8 million According to the time production on season 2 began in November 2022 Forbes. This makes the price of Andr Exceed that of the Star Wars Movie it is based on: Rogue One: A Star Wars Storywhose budget was $364.5 million. Andr May be expensive, but it is also, without a doubt, an absolute triumph for Star Wars.