Star Wars: Visions took the iconic galaxy far, far away in bold new directions. Released from the legacy of Skywalker, it held open the door to a world of fresh voices, new cultures, and artistic visions. With two volumes and an international cast of animation studios, Visions did more than offer breathtaking imagery—it offered emotion, reimagining, and adventurous storytelling that resonated with veteran fans and newcomers alike. Whether you’re an experienced Jedi Master or simply a curious seeker of the Force, these are the 10 most influential shorts that challenged what Star Wars can do.
10. Aau’s Song
Composing Volume 2 on a soft, optimistic note, Aau’s Song is a warm short that is reminiscent of a storybook brought to life. Its gentle, textured animation technique is in just the right harmony with the innocence of Aau, a young woman learning to apply the Force. There is something subtly strong in the manner in which her father attempts to safeguard her voice—a voice that will eventually be her strongest ally. It’s a poignant reminder that even the smallest glimmer of hope can pierce the shadows.
9. The Pit
One of the anthology’s toughest contributions, The Pit meets oppression and injustice head-on. Created in collaboration with Studio D’art Shtajio, a Black-owned anime studio, this short resonates in real-world terms while remaining true to the spirit of Star Wars’ resistance. It’s a harrowing, emotional survival story about coming together and standing up for what’s right even when all seems against you. Few entries in Visions have such a guttural sense of urgency and verisimilitude.
8. The Bandits of Golak
Set against a vibrant, Indian-inspired backdrop, The Bandits of Golak offers a fresh spin on the Jedi narrative. The sibling dynamic between Charuk and Rani adds emotional weight, and the hidden Jedi reveal—while slightly spoiled by the trailer—is still satisfying. With bold visuals, cultural richness, and a unique tone, this short shows how Star Wars thrives when seen through a different cultural lens. You’ll finish it wanting to spend more time in its world.
7. The Spy Dancer
This is Star Wars at its most elegant. The Spy Dancer blends performance art with rebellion, turning a cabaret act into an emotional and physical act of resistance. Inspired by the legacy of real-life performers like Josephine Baker, the short is as much a tribute to creative defiance as it is to family, identity, and loss. Loi’e’s final performance, filled with hidden meanings and aerial beauty, is unforgettable.
6. Travel to the Dark Head
A high-octane thrill ride with classic Star Wars flavor, this offering from Studio Mir has it all—Jedi and Sith combat, metaphysical soliloquies, and that age-old light vs. dark struggle. The repartee between tech-savvy Ara and the emotion-wounded Jedi Toul provides a lighthearted and meaty touch. This feels like something that could easily be plucked from canon, and the cliffhanger ending leaves you hoping it is the beginning of a full series.
5. I Am Your Mother
Adding some much-needed humor to the Star Wars universe, this Aardman-made short is a charming romp concerning a mother-daughter team getting into a wacky starship race. It’s lighthearted, emotional, and full of visual gags and Easter eggs (hi, Wedge Antilles!). The moral is simple: you don’t have to save the galaxy to be a hero—sometimes being there for family is enough.
4. In the Stars
With beautiful water-paint-style visuals and an intensely emotional center, In the Stars is a story of sisterhood and resistance. Koten and Tichina’s relationship is poignant, as they fight to live in a world occupied by the Empire while preserving their culture. Written by authors who know firsthand about colonization, the story packs more of a punch and lingers longer. It’s a compelling affirmation of love, culture, and the power of memory.
3. Screecher’s Reach
What begins as a chilling adventure evolves into something much more intense and contemplative. Screecher’s Reach follows Daal, a young girl who yearns to escape and finds herself making a haunting decision. It raises the tension with precision before exposing a twist that deconstructs what we believe we understand about light, dark, and agency. It’s creepy, poignant, and haunting.
2. Sith
Visions starts Volume 2 off with a bang. Sith is a visual feast that delves into inner turmoil and resurrection. Artist-turned-former-Sith Lola exists in solitude, painting her feelings and attempting to move on from the past, but the past has other plans. With stunning visuals and an abstract narrative, this short is more about achieving harmony amidst your turbulence rather than good vs. evil. It’s one of the riskiest, most inventive shorts in the entire anthology.
1. The Ninth Jedi
Number one on the list is The Ninth Jedi—a flawless combination of mythology, action, and emotion. Focusing on Kara, a lightsaber smith’s daughter, the tale begins with intrigue and brings one of the greatest twists in Visions. Production I.G. pairs rich animation with a story that appears to be epic in scope but intimate in feel. With vibrant world-building and themes of legacy and self-discovery, The Ninth Jedi not only respects Star Wars conventions—it reinvents them for a new generation. It’s the sort of tale that cries out for a sequel and merits one.
By placing the keys to the galaxy in the hands of creatives from all over the world, Star Wars: Visions has infused new energy into a universe that lives and dies on hope, rebellion, and imagination. These shorts demonstrate that the franchise is best when it opens its doors to new ideas and bold experimentation. If this is the future of the franchise, the Force is certainly in good hands.