More Star Wars merchandise was sold in the 2008 holiday season than in any preceding year, according to Lucasfilm, powered by an over-all growth in interest in Star Wars products behind Star Wars:  The Clone Wars TV show.   

Star Wars was the #1 toy license of 2008, according to information from NPD Group released by Lucasfilm.  Total sales of Star Wars products in the toy category topped $450 million in 2008. 

Star Wars:  The Force Unleashed videogame was the top Star Wars videogame in history with over 5.7 million units sold worldwide to date.  Star Wars books also had a great year, with 14 Star Wars titles on the NY Times best sellers list in 2008.  And, of course, the Star Wars comic line from Dark Horse is a perennial solid seller.  Star Wars trading cards from Topps, and the CMG from Wizards of the Coast also help make the property important in hobby stores. 

The Clone Wars TV show was just renewed in the wake of great launch ratings and solid ratings since (see “Clone Wars Renewed”).