30 Best Clone Wars Episodes Ranked

Since its debut in 2008, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" has slowly become one of the most beloved entries in the ever-expanding "Star Wars" universe. However, this wasn't always the case, as the series was prematurely canceled back in 2013 after 6 seasons. Luckily, supervising director Dave Fillion's beloved show was brought back for a final season and aired on Disney+ to the delight of "Clone Wars" fans.

"The Clone Wars" took place between "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith." It gave the franchise an in-depth look at how the war was fundamentally changing the Jedi and provided more character development for the clones. Audiences were able to connect with certain troopers like Rex and Fives, making the clones' ultimate betrayal of the Jedi that much sadder. Once you watch "The Clone Wars," Order 66 becomes more of a tragedy. While the Skywalker Saga is truly the story of Anakin Skywalker, "The Clone Wars" is able to flesh out his character, as you're given a more charismatic view of the young Jedi. While giving Anakin the Padawan Ashoka Tano was initially met with resistance, she grew into one of the most celebrated "Star Wars" characters in the franchise, with her own series set to air soon. Though not all episodes were a hit, we've compiled the best "Clone Wars" episodes as ranked by audience reaction and the importance it holds on the story.

"Lair of Grievous" moves the focus away from our main characters and instead looks at Jedi Master Kit Fisto and his former apprentice Nahdar Vebb as they accidentally stumble upon the lair of General Grievous. In "Revenge of the Sith," Grievous was meant to be a formidable enemy. His collection of lightsabers proved that he had killed many Jedi during this war, and could only be stopped by the likes of the great Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, the film never quite hit on his supposed villainous presence. Luckily, this episode truly made the character seem menacing, if only for a short while.

What makes the "Lair of Grievous" important was that it gave audiences the first glimpse that something was wrong with the Jedi, and that they were beginning to lose their way in this battle. This is made clear with Nahdar Vebb, as he's quick to jump into action to take revenge on Grievous for all the death he's responsible for. Sadly, he forgets that revenge is not the Jedi way, instead, Jedi are meant to be keepers of the peace. However, as war is all Vebb has ever known, he doesn't see being a Jedi as being a peacekeeper.

This episode acts as the second part of the Zillo beast story arc. "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back" brings the monster universe into the forefront. If "King Kong" and "Star Wars" came together and had a baby, it would be this episode.

After Anakin and Mace Windu bring the Zillo beast to Coruscant on Chancellor Palpatine's orders, the creature breaks out of his chains and wreaks havoc throughout the city. The Zillo beast knows that Palpatine is to blame for his incarceration, and does all he can to try and find him. The Jedi must now protect Palpatine from the creature's advances while also keeping the city safe from the destruction it's causing. This episode is interesting as audiences see Palpatine's true nature bleeding through his disguise. Instead of the kind and friendly Chancellor, we now see the cold and evil Darth Sidious. When he looks at the beast, he sees power, which is ultimately all Sidious has ever cared about

"Escape from Kadavo" has a lot going on; Ahsoka is imprisoned, Obi-Wan and Rex are being forced to work in the Kadavo prison facility, and Anakin is fighting against Dooku without a lightsaber. Our favorite Jedi crew of three were tasked with finding and saving the people of Togruta, and while Obi-Wan and Rex succeed in finding them, they were captured and placed in prison right alongside them. The facility warden took a special interest in Obi-Wan, hoping that he would break his Jedi spirit.

By the end of the episode, the Togruta people are rescued and the Kadavo prison facility destroyed. While Obi-Wan, ever the Jedi, does not get his revenge on the facility warden, he steps aside to let Rex do so in his place. The death of the warden alone makes this episode great. However, it is important to mention that this episode is used to call out how the slave empire has been able to grow under the Jedi's nose, as they're too busy with the war to care about anything else anymore.

"The Box" is the third part of a story arc that sees Obi-Wan fake his death to go undercover as a bounty hunter. The plan is to have him unravel a plot to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine. This episode is a fun twist for audiences as Obi-Wan is tasked with various situations that he must overcome in order to complete his mission. His task becomes even more difficult when he enters a training simulation box, where only the surviving bounty hunters will move forward with the plan to kidnap Palpatine.

Obi-Wan must navigate the pressure of the box, try to keep the other bounty hunters alive, trick Dooku (who's come to watch the progress of the box), and maintain his cover. Aside from all that, audiences see how angry Anakin is over the death of Obi-Wan. Once he learns the truth of the council's deception, it further amplifies his mistrust in the Jedi.

"Citadel Rescue" is the third and final episode in the Citadel story arc. The arc sees Anakin lead his team on a rescue mission to infiltrate the Citadel on a Separatist planet. Anakin and Obi-Wan learn that Jedi Master Piell has been taken captive and tortured to give up coordinates of the hyperspace route between the Republic and Separatists.

This episode is important as it brings together all the clones audiences have come to recognize: Rex, Cody, Fives, and Echo. It also introduces Tarkin into the "Clone Wars," a character that audiences should recognize from the original film, "A New Hope." Tarkin discusses his displeasure with how the Jedi are running the war, and while Ahsoka and Obi-Wan disagree and dislike him, Anakin and Tarkin begin to form a mutual respect for one another, especially when they realize that they are both close with Palpatine. This becomes clear when the team returns to Coruscant with the coordinates, with Tarkin insisting that he deliver them directly to Palpatine over the Jedi Council. The episode ends with Tarkin admiring Anakin's work and Anakin admitting that the war could use more minds like Tarkin's. Looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Ahsoka and her Padawan friend Barriss Offee are transporting medical supplies to Mace Windu with a team of clone troopers. They had just returned from a mission on Geonosis where, unbeknownst to them, a brain worm has hatched from an egg and entered the nose of one of the troopers. Once the worm takes over the brain, the trooper is completely under its control.

As the episode continues, Ahsoka and Barriss find themselves trapped on a ship of clones that have all been turned by these worms. The clones begin hunting the young Padawans to get them under the worm's control. "Brain Invaders" is incredibly stressful and hints at what's to come with Order 66 when the clones are all forced to turn on their Jedi. Simultaneously, Anakin knows that his Padawan is in danger and tortures his prisoner from Geonosis, Poggle, with a force choke to get the information he needs to help Ahsoka survive.

"Overlords" is the beginning of a story arc that brings the "Star Wars" prophecy of Anakin being the "Chosen One" to the forefront. Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka are all pulled into another dimension where they meet Father, Daughter, and Son. Daughter represents the light side of the force, Son the dark, and Father the balance that keeps them in check. Father tests Anakin to see if he's truly the "Chosen One" hoping that Anakin will replace him as the balance between his two children.

This story arc is one of the most celebrated in "The Clone Wars" as it hints towards Anakin's destiny. Obi-Wan is visited by his old master Qui-Gon Jinn (voiced by Liam Neeson himself) who warns him that the planet may corrupt Anakin if he is unable to attain balance within his soul. During his trial, Anakin is forced to choose between saving Ahsoka from Daughter or Obi-Wan from Son. Anakin exhibits supreme strength and taps into the Force of the planet to stop both children from hurting either. He chooses to leave with Ahsoka and Obi-Wan, and the episode ends with the music of the Imperial March playing in the distance as he walks away.

"Witches of the Mist" continues the adventures of Ventress and Savage, with Obi-Wan and Anakin hot on their trail. Audiences see as Dooku brutally trains Savage to unlock the Force within him. Dooku sends Savage on a mission, commanding that he return with the Toydarian King Katuunko alive. Unfortunately, Savage returns with the king dead, and Dooku reprimands him with Force lightning.

Ventress interrupts Dooku and reminds Savage who his true master is, and together, the two attack Dooku. Dooku easily deflects Savage's advances with Force lightning, causing both Dooku and Ventress to criticize Savage for being weak. Enraged, Savage force chokes them both but is interrupted by Anakin and Obi-Wan who have been tracking Savage the entire time. The episode ends with a confused and betrayed Savage returning home to Mother Talzin, unsure of what to do next. She assures him that his journey has just begun, saying he has another brother alive and that he must find him. She shows him the face of his brother as being none other than Maul, the phantom menace who was thought to be dead.

This story arc showcases Maul's rise to power within the crime syndicate. Understanding the political game he must play to avoid the Jedi and his old Master, he chooses to work behind the scenes to gain power. With the help of his brother, Savage Opress, Maul takes control over the crime families and aligns himself with Death Watch, a terrorist Mandalorian group against the pacifist ways of Duchess Satine.

"Shades of Reason" focuses on Mandalore as Maul colluded with Death Watch leader Pre Vizsla to turn the people of Mandalore against Satine. However, Maul confides in Savage that they need a puppet to rule over Mandalore, someone who they can control, unlike Vizsla. Once they select Almec, Maul challenges Vizsla to a duel, where he kills him and takes control over the Darksaber, essentially controlling Mandalore itself. This fractures Death Watch, with some refusing to swear loyalty to Maul and fleeing under the leadership of Bo Katan.

Maul and Savage are back on the list, and this time it's due to Maul's obsession with getting revenge on Obi-Wan Kenobi. You see, while audiences thought that Obi-Wan killed Maul when he cut him in half in "The Phantom Menace," Maul actually survived, fueled by his hatred for Obi-Wan. "Revenge" sees their long-awaited reunion, and we adored every second of it.

The episode begins with Maul and Savage back on Dathomir, where Mother Talzin gives Maul new legs and helps clear his mental state — And the one thing he has on his mind is revenge. The two set a trap to gain Obi-Wan's attention. However, it also attracts the attention of Ventress, who decides to bring Savage in for a bounty. This ends up with Obi-Wan teaming up with Ventress (and using one of her red lightsabers) against Maul and Savage. While Obi-Wan and Maul fight, it's clear that Maul seems to be the only one to get an emotional response out of him. When he mentions how he killed Qui-Gon, audiences can see a bubble of anger rise out of Obi-Wan during their duel. And you know what Yoda says: "Anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering."

"The Wrong Jedi" takes place after "To Catch a Jedi." Ahsoka has been brought to the Jedi Council to stand trial as they still believe that she bombed the hangar deck in their Temple. Tarkin demands that Ahsoka be expelled from the Jedi Order so that she may be given a military tribunal held by the Republic. Against Obi-Wan's suggestions, the Jedi agree, and Ahsoka is stripped of her Padawan status.

While Padme defends Ahsoka at trial, Anakin tries to find Ventress to help clear Ahsoka's name. Once he does, she lets him know that Ahsoka contacted her friend and fellow Padawan Barriss while she was on the run, stating that after their conversation someone attacked her and stole her double red lightsabers. Anakin goes to confront Barriss who he discovers has the red lightsabers. They fight and he easily defeats her, bringing her to Ahsoka's trial. Barriss admits what she does, claiming that the Jedi have lost their way in this war, a sentiment that is detailed in many episodes on this list. Once Ahsoka's name is clear, the Jedi try to convince her to return as a Padawan, but Ahsoka realizes that after everything they've put her through, she no longer wants to return. That perhaps Barriss was right, the Jedi have lost their way. Anakin tells Ahsoka that he also struggles with the Order, resulting in her telling him, "I know" before walking away.

Clone trooper Fives has been through a lot throughout the series. However, his ending is a tragedy, as he uncovered and almost revealed the Emperor's entire plan before being killed. Fives discovers that all the clone troopers have been given an inhibitor chip that will be used to turn the clones against the Jedi. Once he discovers this plot, he's brought face to face with the Chancellor himself to discuss his concerns. Unfortunately for him, the Chancellor doesn't want this information getting out and tells everyone that Fives attacked him, turning Fives into public enemy number one.

Running through the streets of Coruscant with no one else to turn to, he meets with Anakin and Rex as he believes they're the only people he can trust. He tells them that the Chancellor is in on a plot against the Jedi, but is sadly shot before he can provide more details. As he dies in Rex's arms, he says that the conspiracy is bigger than any of them and that he only wanted to do his duty. Rex is devastated because he's lost the last of his friends from the first season of the show. RIP Fives, you deserved better.

Heading back to the story about Father, Daughter, and Son, "Ghost of Mortis" has Anakin face his biggest battle yet, the truth about his future. While Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Anakin are trying to leave the Force realm Mortis, Son confronts Anakin and shows him what his future holds, ending with Anakin hearing Darth Vader.

Anakin is overcome by anguish when learning what he becomes. Son says that together, they can change his fate, and Anakin decides to join him. Once Obi-Wan sees that Anakin has been corrupted by Son, he turns to Father, who uses his powers to erase Anakin's memory of what Son showed him. With Daughter being killed by Son, Father kills himself to stripe Son from his connection to the Force. While Son holds dying Father, Anakin runs him through with his lightsaber, killing him. With Father's dying breath he tells Anakin that he is the "Chosen One" as he has brought balance to the Force on Mortis and that he will be called on to do so again in the future.

Running parallel to the events in "Revenge of the Sith," Ahsoka and Maul have a talk where he tells her that the war will soon be over and that his Master will control the galaxy with both the Jedi and the Republic falling, as it was all a part of the plan.

Ahsoka soon learns that Maul has been distracted by visions of the name Skywalker making her worry about her old Master. She and Maul talk where he expresses his admiration for her leaving the Jedi Order. He tells her that the Sith is about to take control and that the time of the Jedi is over, arguing that only together can they stop Sidious. With an arm outstretched, Maul tells her that every choice in her life has led her to this moment. Ahsoka tells Maul that she will help him, on the condition he tell her what he wants with Anakin. Maul informs her that Anakin has long since been groomed to take his place as his Master's new apprentice. Unwilling to believe this Ahsoka calls him a liar and the two engage in one of the greatest lightsaber duels of the series, resulting in her beating and capturing Maul.

"Victory and Death" is the final episode of the series. Maul has sabotaged the ship causing it to crash on a nearby planet. While Ahsoka and Rex try to escape on a shuttle, Maul highjacks it instead. Ahsoka uses the Force to bring the shuttle back but stops when she realizes that Rex needs her help as his fellow clones are firing on him. Luckily, Rex and Ahsoka are narrowly able to escape with the rest of the troopers dying in the crash.

The episode ends with Rex and Ahsoka looking at the buried bodies of the clones, with their helmets marking their graves. She drops the lightsabers that Anakin gave her, and she and Rex leave.

Sometime later, audiences see Imperial ships and Stormtroopers searching the wreckage, with Darth Vader himself on site. He finds Ahsoka's lightsabers in the snow and picks them up while looking to the sky and seeing a bird circle. The bird is a convor and it's something that has stayed with Ahsoka ever since her experience with Daughter in the "Overlords" story arc. Vader watches the bird knowingly for a moment and then walks off. The last shot of the series sees his reflection walking away in the distance from the dead clone's helmet. The clone war is over.