Star Wars Meets Stranger Things In Disney+'s Bingeable 8-Part Adventure Series

Star Wars meets Stranger Things in Disney's wonderfully nostalgic adventure series. Even now, after five seasons and a divisive series finale, Stranger Things remains one of the most popular science fantasy franchises ever created. Each season offers a new horror-adjacent, sci-fi experience, though nothing has ever quite come close to capturing the magic of that first season. The kids were the heart of the show, so closely bonded to one another and desperate to save their friends, both old and new.

Of course, being set in the '80s made it easy to call to mind the decade's most beloved adventure stories, like Steven Spielberg's classic E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Richard Donner's The Goonies, as Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and their new superpowered pal Eleven rode their bikes through Hawkins to look for clues while evading and fighting the monsters (and monstrous adults) chasing after them. Other shows have tried and failed to recreate that same sense of wonder and nostalgia. One recent example came mighty close, with another one of the '80s' most beloved franchises trying something refreshingly and excitingly new.

The galaxy far, far away has always been a fantastical and magical place, filled with brave knights, evil dark lords, and endless possibilities. Still, for years, decades, even, Star Wars focused most of its efforts on the Skywalker family's tragic saga and the ancient conflict between the Jedi and the Sith (with mixed results). Thankfully, Disney+ has given Star Wars a chance to explore its virtually limitless potential, with shows like The Mandalorian and Andor showcasing all the franchise has to offer.

The same is true for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Christopher Ford's and Jon Watts' standalone, eight-episode adventure series, in which an unlikely group of kids set out on an accidental journey across the galaxy,

Skeleton Crew Is The Perfect Stranger Things Season 1 Replacement

In many ways, Skeleton Crew is the perfect replacement for Stranger Things season 1. Schoolkids Wim, KB, Fern, and Neel — the latter of whom rivals Baby Yoda's cuteness — find an ancient, abandoned ship and unintentionally activate it, launching it into space. Though they find a terrifying but ultimately helpful old pirate droid on board, getting home isn't easy: the navigational computer doesn't recognize the name of their planet, At Attin.

As the kids try to find their way home, dealing with treasure-hunting pirates and a lost, suspicious Jedi, the kids grow closer than ever, outwitting those who would try to take advantage of them while uncovering the truth behind their planet's mythical and secretive past. It's a really fun ride, with plenty of gorgeous space shots, tense action scenes, and childhood fun. Most importantly, the bond between the kids is reminiscent of the Party in Stranger Things; their personalities might clash at times, but they're always there for each other, especially when it matters most.

Star Wars Needs More Shows Like Skeleton Crew

Crucially, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew can be watched by anyone, regardless of their prior Star Wars knowledge. While it references enough Star Wars lore to fit into the timeline and remain fun for die-hard fans — the show's High Republic era connections are especially interesting — At Attin is an entirely new planet, and the kids have no connection to any legacy characters. This is an all-new story.

Star Wars needs more shows like Skeleton Crew. Andor was a masterpiece, but functioned as a prequel to a prequel, closely connected to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the original Star Wars movie, and even Star Wars Rebels. The Mandalorian was a relatively independent show until season 3 turned it into a sequel to Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7, overshadowing its leading duo. Ahsoka's upcoming second season is a direct sequel to Star Wars Rebels, as Grand Admiral Thrawn returns to restore the Empire's former glory.

Those interconnected projects have their place in a franchise like Star Wars, of course, but if it wants to attract new audiences, it needs to offer more unconnected stories, too. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is a prime example of what Star Wars can be without being beholden to decades of history and lore. Let's hope the franchise continues to be bold in the future.

All episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew are streaming now, exclusively on Disney+.