LIGHT & MAGIC backdrop
Documentary

The Best Episodes of LIGHT & MAGIC

Every episode of LIGHT & MAGIC ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of LIGHT & MAGIC!

Binge this in 8h 58m•Peaking at 9.7/10

When George Lucas set out to make Star Wars, little did he know he would end up revolutionizing an industry. This is the story of a team of creative geniuses who put the magic in

Airs on
Disney+
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    LIGHT & MAGIC Season 2 Episode 3 - There's No Going Back
    9.7/10(157 votes)

    #1 - There's No Going Back

    S2:E3

    ILM is no longer the only game in town. To stay on top, they'll have to change the game yet again.

    Director:Joe Johnston
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. LIGHT & MAGIC Season 2 Episode 1 - Are We Ready for This?
    9.1/10(190 votes)

    #2 - Are We Ready for This?

    S2:E1

    After a decade away from Star Wars, George Lucas returns to ILM with a new impossible task.

    Director:Joe Johnston
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. LIGHT & MAGIC Season 2 Episode 2 - There Must Be a Better Way
    9.0/10(171 votes)

    #3 - There Must Be a Better Way

    S2:E2

    As George Lucas tries to convince Hollywood to go digital, ILM takes on wind, water, and a CG Yoda.

    Director:Joe Johnston
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. LIGHT & MAGIC Season 1 Episode 2 - "On the bucking bronco."
    7.0/10(472 votes)

    #4 - "On the bucking bronco."

    S1:E2

    When a near fatal wreck thwarts his boyhood dream of racing cars, George Lucas finds success as a filmmaker. He spends his own money on the special effects of an ambitious new “space opera”, but progress is painfully slow. With the help of key new hires, ILM rallies to finish the film on time. Star Wars premieres to worldwide success, yet George remains curiously unsatisfied with the results.

    Director:Lawrence Kasdan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. LIGHT & MAGIC Season 1 Episode 5 - "Morfing."
    7.0/10(392 votes)

    #5 - "Morfing."

    S1:E5

    ILM enters the digital era as its revamped computer division faces its first big test with Willow. With a new team of rebels arriving at the company eager to push CG to its limits, James Cameron gives them a chance with The Abyss and Terminator 2. But the transition to digital is not without its casualties, as some struggle to adapt. Then Steven Spielberg returns with his greatest challenge yet.

    Director:Lawrence Kasdan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. LIGHT & MAGIC Season 1 Episode 6 - "No more pretending you're dinosaurs."
    6.8/10(384 votes)

    #6 - "No more pretending you're dinosaurs."

    S1:E6

    Stop-motion genius Phil Tippett feels like he’s gone extinct when CG unexpectedly takes center stage in Jurassic Park. The watershed moment convinces George Lucas to return to his long-planned Star Wars prequel trilogy and push the technology even further. As digital filmmaking continues to grow and evolve, The Volume proves that the spirit of innovation remains alive and well at ILM.

    Director:Lawrence Kasdan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of LIGHT & MAGIC

    READ
  7. LIGHT & MAGIC Season 1 Episode 3 - "Just think about it."
    6.6/10(438 votes)

    #7 - "Just think about it."

    S1:E3

    After Star Wars, ILM moves north to a new facility—but not everyone is invited. As work begins on The Empire Strikes Back, the team faces unprecedented new challenges. Frustrated by the available tools, George creates a new division to help modernize filmmaking. Upon the release of Empire, ILM takes on outside work for the first time, setting the stage for a remarkable string of success.

    Director:Lawrence Kasdan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. LIGHT & MAGIC Season 1 Episode 4 - "I think I found my people."
    6.6/10(405 votes)

    #8 - "I think I found my people."

    S1:E4

    A new partnership with Steven Spielberg results in the memorable effects of Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., and more. Meanwhile, the computer graphics group scores its first digital breakthrough. As the 80s blockbuster era rolls in, ILM crews are competing against each other, for both resources and awards. When George makes a fateful business decision, ILM is forced to rebuild on the fly.

    Director:Lawrence Kasdan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. LIGHT & MAGIC Season 1 Episode 1 - "Gang of outsiders."
    6.3/10(517 votes)

    #9 - "Gang of outsiders."

    S1:E1

    The year is 1975, and George Lucas has a problem. There is no visual effects company in Hollywood capable of realizing the massive vision behind his new film “The Star Wars”. George and camera expert John Dykstra assemble an unlikely team of artists and dreamers for the job, but despite their best efforts and some remarkable new technology, the ILM team falls woefully behind.

    Director:Lawrence Kasdan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"There's No Going Back" is the best rated episode of "LIGHT & MAGIC". It scored 9.7/10 based on 157 votes. Directed by Joe Johnston and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/18/2025. This episode scored 0.6 points higher than the second highest rated, "Are We Ready for This?".