Behind the Force: The Best Star Wars TV Documentaries

When George Lucas gave the world Star Wars, he launched a franchise that captured fans’ imagination in a way few others have. Almost from the start, people wanted to know more about it. Documentaries about Star Wars have been made since 1977, taking fans behind the scenes and showing us everything from creators’ influences to actors’ experiences to the innovation and hard work behind the groundbreaking visual effects.

Here, we’ll look at the best official — or at least officially sanctioned — Star Wars documentaries made for television. As the DVD (and, later, Blu-ray) era dawned, bonus features on home media releases included all sorts of “behind-the-scenes” and “making of” content, but that’s a subject for another guide. So are independent documentaries that have emerged over the years. In this guide, we’ll focus on series and specials made by or in collaboration with Lucasfilm intended for broadcast/cable TV or streaming.

Early Star Wars Documentaries

A New Hope — then simply known as Star Wars — was still in theaters when the first documentary hit the airwaves. The behind-the-scenes looks helped us immerse ourselves even further in the franchise, inspired following generations of filmmakers, special effects artists, and at least a few writers. They probably also contributed to the firecracker-aided demise of several model airplanes once we learned how those practical effects worked.

The Making of Star Wars (1977)

Debuting on ABC in September 1977, The Making of Star Wars was the first-ever documentary about Star Wars.It features Anthony Daniels as presenter — presumably before he got the gold jacket that’s graced many a convention stage.

Lucasfilm

The show includes interviews with George Lucas, producer Gary Kurtz (also the special’s executive producer), and cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Alec Guinness. It also incorporates behind-the-scenes on-set footage and the first of what would become a long line of Star Wars deleted scenes: Luke Skywalker hanging out with Biggs Darklighter on Tatooine.

Fortunately, the show is one of several bonus features in the 2011 Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray boxed set.

SPFX: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Another documentary arrived when Star Wars returned to theaters in 1980. SPFX:The Empire Strikes Back originally aired on CBS in 1980. Written by Richard Schickel and directed by Robert Guenette, the same pair that created The Making of Star Wars, this special focuses on the second film’s special effects.

Lucasfilm

Behind-the-scenes footage shows how the crew created things like the Imperial probe droid, tauntauns, and the wampa. It includes details behind the Battle of Hoth, the Millennium Falcon’s asteroid field escape, Dagobah, and the climactic lightsaber duel. The special puts all this in historical context by looking at the evolution of special effects in film, with clips from classics such as King Kong and Flash Gordon.

Interviews include Peter Mayhew and sound designer Ben Burtt. In addition to the special effects crew and matte artists, exclusive footage shows creature designer Stuart Freeborn and legendary composer John Williams. 

The special lives on as a bonus feature in the 2011 Blu-ray boxed set.

Classic Creatures: Return of theJedi (1983)

Presented by Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams, Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi first aired in November 1983. With interviews and on-location footage from the Yuma Desert, Northern California, and Elstree Studios in London, the show goes into detail on the evolution of the Ewoks and Sy Snootles. It treats viewers to an extensive look at the design, construction, and operation of Jabba the Hutt, which we learn took six people to operate, including one just for the tail.

Lucasfilm

Like its predecessor, Classic Creatures positions the creature work in Return of the Jedi (which includes more than 60 aliens!) in a historical context. With looks at classic films such as Creature from the Black Lagoon and King Kong as well as contemporary works like E.T. and The Dark Crystal, the special follows the evolution of “creature” techniques, including costumed actors, stop-motion miniatures, and large-scale mechanicals.

Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi also formed part of a home-media triple feature. Like the other two, it is a bonus feature in the 2011 Blu-ray boxed set. 

From Star Wars to Jedi: Making of a Saga (1983)

With the Star Wars saga seeming to end after Return of the Jedi, another contemporary documentary looks at the entire trilogy. Released in 1983 and narrated by Mark Hamill, From Star Wars to Jedi incorporates much of the footage from Classic Creatures and the making of the first two films.

Lucasfilm

Interviews with George Lucas explore his influences, processes, and original plans. We see the creation of the speeder bike chase on Endor and the development of alien languages. We even see a deleted scene from the first film where Han Solo encounters Jabba the Hutt in Docking Bay 94. The scene later appeared (along with computer-generated imagery) in the Special Edition rerelease. However, In this footage, Jabba is a man — specifically, Irish actor Declan Mulholland (a stand-in for planned stop-motion animation).

From Star Wars to Jedi is available on the official Star Wars YouTube channel and website — which is good for me because I watched my family's copy so much that I almost wore the tape out.

I’m also not sure I still have a VCR.

Modern Star Wars Documentaries

The Prequel Trilogy and milestone anniversaries for the Original Trilogy ushered in a new era of Star Wars documentaries, which continues through the present day and the era of Disney+ limited series.

Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004)

In 2004, Lucasfilm partnered with documentary filmmaker Kevin Burns and his company, Prometheus Entertainment, to make a handful of behind-the-scenes shows as the Prequel Trilogy concluded.

Lucasfilm

Empire of Dreams, originally included in the 2004 Star Wars Trilogy DVD release, examines the making of the Original Trilogy and its impact on pop culture. The show includes interviews with Lucas and major cast and crew members. Additional interviews with figures such as Walter Cronkite, Steven Spielberg, Bill Moyers, professor and cultural historian Leo Braudy, and studio executives explore the films’ social and cultural impact.

A shorter version later aired on A&E. The documentary is currently available on Disney+ and, in several parts, on the Star Wars YouTube channel.

Star Wars: The Legacy Revisited (2007)

Another collaboration with Prometheus Entertainment, Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed first aired as a two-hour special on the History Channel in 2007, helping mark the 30th anniversary of A New Hope’s theatrical debut. The documentary includes interviews with critics, filmmakers, journalists, and even politicians to discuss the film's impact.

The History Channel

The show explores connections with Greek mythology. Jonathan Young, founding curator of the Campbell Archives, explains the film’s arc through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. The commentary reflects on how the Force is an effective stand-in for earthly religions and other themes such as the fall of republics, the rise of dictators, and society’s cycles of construction and self-destruction.

The show earned three Emmy nominations. Regrettably, it is not currently available on official platforms, though you can find it online.

Star Wars Tech (2007)

Star Wars Tech was another History Channel special released to roughly coincide with the 30th anniversary of A New Hope’s premiere and another collaboration with Ken Burns. This show examines the “real science” (and, perhaps, the lack thereof) behind many of the franchise’s signature elements.

The History Channel

The show features scientists and engineers, including university professors and experts with NASA experience. Discussions focus on topics such as droids, advanced prosthetics, and starfighters. The documentary is included in the 2011 Blu-ray boxed set.

A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back (2010)

Another gem included in the 2011 boxed set is this commemoration of The Empire Strikes Back’s 30th anniversary. Made by Lucasfilm, the 25-minute-long discussion includes George Lucas, Irvin Kirschner, Lawrence Kasdan and John Williams. These luminaries share their insights and experiences creating the sequel many still believe is the best Star Wars film ever.

Disney Gallery

Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2020)

With the advent of streaming and the arrival of Disney+, the first live-action Star Wars television show, The Mandalorian, premiered in 2019. On May 4, 2020, Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian dropped.

Lucasfilm

The first eight episodes cover the first season. In interviews and round-table conversations facilitated by Jon Favreau, the cast and crew cover the making of the show, their creative influences, and the saga's legacy. A personal favorite moment is in the second episode when Dave Filoni explains the significance of the climactic lightsaber fight at the end of The Phantom Menace to the overall saga.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes and archival footage complement the interviews and conversations. Three more “special” episodes cover seasons two and three. All 11 episodes are available on Disney+.

Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett (2022)

Another Disney Gallery explores The Book of Boba Fett. Unlike its predecessor, this installment (which debuted on May 4, 2022) is only a single hour-long episode. In fairness, much of the filmmaking process and technology receives plenty of attention in the Gallery series that focuses on The Mandalorian.

Lucasfilm

This special does provide fascinating insight from Doug Chaing, who discusses creating the rancor, and Mark Hamill. The man behind Luke Skywalker shares what Luke must have felt, having once trained under Master Yoda and now training another from the same species.

Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett is also available on Disney+. 

Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett (2021)

The legendary bounty hunter is the subject of a second special on Disney+. Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett predates the Disney Gallery special. Released in November of 2021 as part of the run-up to The Book of Boba Fett, the show avoids spoiling anything from the series. However, fans of the Fett will find plenty to enjoy.

Lucasfilm

Interviews with Ben Burtt and George Lucas address the character’s creation — originally intended to be a “super stormtrooper” until the armor design proved too costly to produce in adequate numbers. We even discover the origin of the spurs sound effect and learn about Boba Fett’s first official appearance (which was neither in The Empire Strikes Back nor in the animated short from the infamous Holiday Special).  

Light & Magic (2022)

A six-episode series, Light & Magic, premiered on Disney+ in the summer of 2022. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, the series tells the story of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) from its founding in 1975 and its impact on filmmaking. ILM's story feels like one of not just creativity, inspiration, and innovation but also hard work, resilience, and perseverance.

Lucasfilm

Light & Magic makes for a fully justified victory lap for the team whose work has appeared in more than 350 films and earned more than a dozen Oscar awards.  

Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return (2022)

Premiering in the fall of 2022, Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return gives us an insider’s look at the limited series starring Ewan McGregor. New interviews feature Deborah Chow, Hayden Christensen, and McGregor. We learn about creative influences (which for Chow included both Asian action films and the Muppets) and McGregor’s multiyear effort lobbying for a project revisiting the character. Exclusive footage takes us to the creature shop and props department. It also captures the moment Christensen stepped in front of the camera in Anakin Skywalker’s Clone Wars-era robes with McGregor looking on.

Lucasfilm

You can find Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return on Disney+.

Even if you’re a longtime fan of Star Wars, hopefully this guide tipped you off to one or two behind-the-scenes documentaries you haven’t checked out yet. Be sure to join us in Youtini’s Discord server to let us know which one is your favorite or to help decide on the next one to explore!