From the hilarious to the awe-inspiring, Star Wars fan films are a force for creativity

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – If the teasers, trailers and hints haven't sated your appetite for all things "Star Wars" in advance of the latest entry in the franchise, then it's time to tap into the force of fan films.

These sometimes hilarious, sometimes awe-inspiring and always off-canon creations are showcases for the creativity of "Star Wars" fanatics. You've got to give them credit for piecing together trailer hints into logical themes, pulling off low-budget special effects, and acting in generally cheesy fashion.

And fear not — the Disney empire won't be striking back. The company encourages these mash-ups, having revived the annual Star Wars Fan Film Awards in 2014 two years after buying Lucasfilm.

Here's a mini-marathon playlist to get you primed for Friday's release of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens":

1. A musical tribute to "Star Wars" fans set to Elton John's "Rocket Man."

2. A low-budget remake of "The Force Awakens" trailer.

3. A special-effects laden duel, complete with Kylo Ren's wicked lightsaber crossguard.

4. The crew of the U.S. aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower remade the teaser trailer, complete with real-life fighter pilots.

5. A clever stitching together of various teasers and trailers to date, including bits from international trailers and voice-overs from previous films.

6. A lightsaber fight that gets extra points for the choreography (note the behind the back parry) and alternate endings.

7. Lightsaber boomerangs make this fan film scream "From Down Unda."

8. An officially sanctioned fan film that riffs on characters from the prequel trilogy and "The Clone Wars" animated series.

9. A Boba Fett spin-off teaser premised on his escape from the sarlacc that swallowed him in "Return of the Jedi."

10. Yet another lightsaber battle — this time taken to deliberately ridiculous extremes. Watch for the Minecraft reference.