"Skeleton Crew," "The Acolyte," and the Disney Star Wars franchise.

Skeleton Crew is a strong addition to the Star Wars franchise, blending emotion, humor, and adventure while resembling Goonies/ET. However, it may be the least-viewed series to date, failing to chart on Variety/Luminate’s weekly top 10 after its debut at #1 on Disney Plus.

Disney appears to be struggling with its approach to Star Wars, having exhausted the Skywalker era and lacking interest in shows like Andor, The Acolyte, and Skeleton Crew, which feature fewer recognizable characters. While The Mandalorian succeeded by including familiar faces, even it has shifted to a movie format.

Critically acclaimed Andor has low viewership, and despite Skeleton Crew being well-received, it also ranks low in views. The significant issue is the high costs associated with these projects. For instance, The Acolyte had a staggering budget of $180 million, while Andor cost $250 million, and Skeleton Crew was around $136 million.

The solution may lie in focusing on more films rather than expensive series. Investing in a Star Wars movie could yield better returns compared to costly TV shows that struggle to attract viewers. However, this could mean fewer unique series like Andor and Skeleton Crew, which fans might not appreciate.https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/12/17/skeleton-crew-the-acolyte-and-the-disney-star-wars-spiral/