Andor’s astronomical budget for seasons 1 and 2 makes itStar Wars’ most expensive show by far – but the result was worth it.Star Wars’ foray into live-action TV has been hit or miss. EvenThe Mandalorian, widely praised during its first two seasons, received middling reviews at best for season 3, while other originalStar WarsTVstories, likeStar Wars: Skeleton CrewandThe Acolyte, have passionate vocal fan bases but low viewership numbers.Each ofStar Wars’ live-action TV showshas been eye-wateringly expensive, butAndortakes the cake.
Andorseason 1 had a reported budget of $250 million. It should be noted that much ofAndor’s first season was filmed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which drove up costs for most major Hollywood productions. Was it worth it? Arguably, yes. While the show had low viewership when it first premiered, it’s seemingly one of the only ones that grew its audience organically in the months and years after, due to excellent word-of-mouth marketing.The hype forAndorseason 2is now on a whole other level – and it was even more expensive than season 1.
Andor Season 2 Was The Most Expensive Single Season Of Star Wars To Date
Andorseason 2 is confirmed to be the most expensive single season of aStar Warsshow to date. Asreported byForbes, tax returns submitted in the UK confirm that Disney spent a record $290.9 million on season 2. However, this number only confirms the total spent until June 29, 2025. That date is significant because filming didn’t wrap onAndorseason 2 until February 2024. As such,the total cost forAndorseason 2 is likely well over $300 million, presumably nearer to $400 million.
Budget (adjusted for inflation)
$74 million
$85 million
$90 million
1
Return of the Jedi
$104 million
$100 million
$105 million
$136 million
$175 million
$193 million
$209 million
$230.1 million
$250 million
$314 million
$330 million
$322 million
$360 million
3
$387 million
$645 million
2
Forbes estimates thatAndorcost $645 million to producein its entirety. By contrast, three seasons ofThe Mandalorianare estimated to have cost $360 million. The difference is striking. So why doesAndorcost so much more, and will the result be worth it forAndorseason 2, as it was for season 1?
Why Has Andor Cost So Much To Make?
Andoris unlike any otherStar Warslive-action TV production. Whereas most, likeThe Mandalorian,The Book of Boba Fett, andObi-Wan Kenobi, have filmed largely on The Volume, which is essentially a massive LED-screen stage that allows for computer-generated backgrounds to be manipulated in real-time for lighting and movement,Andorcreator Tony Gilroy instead chose to implement practical sets and location shooting for most of the series.
For instance,the city of Ferrix inAndorseason 1was fully constructed as a miniature city, a set so large that star Adria Arjona remembered getting lost the first time she toured the set. I expect we’ll see similar craftsmanship in season 2. The season 1 Aldhani arc was filmed in the Scottish Highlands, and location shoots in areas with unpredictable weather can make shooting much more difficult, time-consuming, and thus, costly.
We also need to consider the show’s length. WhileThe Mandalorian,Ahsoka,The Book of Boba Fett,The Acolyte, andSkeleton Crewall consist of eight episodes or fewer per season,Andorincludes 12 episodes in a single season, bringing the total up to 24, on par with three seasons ofThe Mandalorian.Yes,The Mandalorianis still significantly lower in cost thanAndor,butI’d argue thatThe Mandaloriandidn’t change the game for Lucasfilm – and Disney, by extension – the same wayAndordid.
Andor Is Disney Star Wars' Biggest Gamble, But It’s Paid Off
The Mandalorianessentially revitalizedStar Warsafter the divisive reaction to the sequel trilogy, and it was the perfect show to launch Disney+ as a platform. It felt fresh and exciting, but after three seasons, the series has fallen into an all-too-familiar trap, becoming a nexus point for the franchise rather than a property that stands entirely on its own.
Now the sub-franchise is also the launch pad forStar Wars’ return to the big screen, and whileThe Mandalorian and Groguremains an exciting prospect, I can’t help but feel that it’s devolved into something it shouldn’t have been – a crutch for Lucasfilm.The Mandaloriannow relies on characters and storylines that many are innately familiar with. There’s no risk, no gamble, and as a result, the reward feels less impressive.
Of course,Andorisn’t an entirely stand-alone production. It is a prequel toRogue One: A Star Wars Story, a billion-dollar-grossingStar Warsanthology movie, which, in itself, was innately connected to the Skywalker saga and the firstStar Warsmovie, later retitledA New Hope. I’d argue that this has forcedAndorto become something more, something else, however.Andoris so much more than the story of how a doomed-to-die Rebel fighter became an officer in the Rebellion. It explores and deepens our understanding ofStar Wars’ politics and its authentic narrative purpose.
It’s been said before, butAndorisn’t just an excellentStar Warsshow – it’s an excellent show, period.
It’s been said before, butAndorisn’t just an excellentStar Warsshow – it’s an excellent show, period. It’s raised the bar. The budget is astronomical, yes, and I’m certainly not advocating for everyStar Warsproduction to have such an excessive budget from now on. In fact, I think Lucasfilm and Disney need to work hard to bring those budgets down if they want to survive.
ButAndor’s storytelling, character work, and pure, artistic attention to detail have created a show that anyone, even those previously ambivalent toStar Wars, can enjoy. In this day and age, when audiences are overwhelmed with choices and familiarity feels like safety, there is nothing more important or rewarding for a brand. The critical acclaim thatAndorhas so rightfully been given is a gift, and that ballooned budget played an important part in it – nowLucasfilm and Disney need to learn how to create similar experiences on a smaller scale.
Andorseason 2 premieres with three episodes on April 22, exclusively on Disney+.
Andor
Cast
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
