As The Mandalorian & Grogu prepares to hit theaters, Star Wars fans are diving back into the galaxy far, far away—and one of the franchise's most debated spin-offs is reaping the benefits. The Book of Boba Fett, the Disney+ series starring Temuera Morrison, has clawed its way back into the streaming service's top 10 TV shows in the United States, landing at #10 just behind Marvel's The Punisher. This resurgence comes as viewers revisit the interconnected stories that set the stage for the upcoming big-screen adventure.
The show, which first premiered in December 2021, follows Boba Fett after his dramatic return in The Mandalorian Season 2. Now ruling over Jabba the Hutt's former criminal empire on Tatooine, the iconic bounty hunter faces new threats and a brewing civil war. While the series was intended to expand the Star Wars universe, its reception was anything but unanimous. Critics gave it a 66% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences were harsher, awarding a 48%—lower than The Mandalorian Season 2's 51%.
Much of the criticism centered on the show's pacing and Morrison's portrayal of the antihero. Some reviewers argued that The Book of Boba Fett had “little to offer” beyond the episodes featuring Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin and Grogu. Collider's Maggie Lovitt, however, gave the series a B+ rating, praising its groundbreaking representation. She noted that the show featured Māori and Asian lead actors and depicted older characters still capable of kicking ass—a refreshing take in the sci-fi genre.
The series' streaming revival aligns with a broader trend: fans are bingeing earlier Star Wars content to prepare for The Mandalorian & Grogu, which faces a challenging box office outlook. Alongside The Book of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian itself has climbed the charts, reminding audiences how the two shows are deeply intertwined. In fact, the spin-off's later episodes directly set up events in The Mandalorian Season 3, making it essential viewing for continuity buffs.
This isn't the first time a divisive Star Wars title has found new life on streaming. The Phantom Menace similarly polarized fans upon release but remains a top performer on Disney+. The pattern suggests that even the most debated entries in the franchise can gain appreciation over time—or at least draw curious viewers during a franchise-wide event.
For those who skipped The Book of Boba Fett the first time, the question remains: Is it worth watching now? While the series may not satisfy everyone, it offers crucial context for the evolving story of Tatooine's underworld and the Mandalorian's journey. Plus, with the enduring legacy of classic Star Wars still dominating the platform, there's no better time to catch up on the saga's lesser-known chapters.
As May 2026 unfolds, The Book of Boba Fett proves that even a spin-off with mixed reviews can command attention when the franchise machine revs up. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, it's a reminder that in the Star Wars universe, no story is ever truly forgotten.
