Star Wars is called a space opera because that’s the name of the genre. I understand that its a circular answer it that level because it does not explain how the space opera genre got its name.
Space operas have stories with showy drama that is very shallow when analyzed. There are good good guys, bad bad guys and no one in between. There are love stories without mundane dating. There are battles between empires without questioning why each side is the way it is.
There are several stories on way the name space opera emerged for the genre. See other responses for “horse opera” and “soap opera”. But I suggest the the similarity with stage operas is more apt than you seem to think.
Stage operas have stories with showy drama that is very shallow when analyzed. There are good good guys, bad bad guys and no one in between. There are love stories without mundane dating. There are battles between kingdoms without questioning why each side is the way it is. Very parallel!
sorry I know you said 3 examples but you know :|
