06/12/2023
Every Star Wars Movie Ranked
04/05/2022
This article was released on Star Wars Day. So if you are reading this article on the day that it was released, May The Fourth Be With You! If you are reading it at a later date, you can still enjoy this article.
For those who don't know, the fourth of May is considered 'Star Wars Day'. It doesn't really mean anything except that some nerds go around saying "May The Fourth Be With You" (a play on words of the famous Star Wars quote: "May the Force be with you"). Aside from that, nothing else really happens on Star Wars Day, however, the day still holds a special space in Star Wars fans' hearts, including mine. To celebrate this momentous day that only comes around once a year, I thought I'd release an article ranking every single Star Wars movie ever released.
To this day, there have been twelve official Star Wars movies released. In this list, I will only be including movies that are considered part of the Star Wars 'canon' (meaning that they are considered to be part of the Star Wars galaxy's history). However, I will be including standalone films such as Star Wars: The Clones Wars and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story but not any Star Wars tv shows. This is not the order that you should watch the movies (you can read that order here); this is just placing every Star Wars movie from worst to best.
Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.
#12: STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS (2008)
Many may argue that this movie should not be included in this list. However, it is a Star Wars movie. Although this movie somewhat acts as a two and a half hour episode of the tv show The Clone Wars, it was still released in cinemas and is technically considered a movie by many so it is appearing on this list. I really liked this movie when I was younger and still occasionally like rewatching it to bring back the memories of being a kid. However, the movie does not compare to the big-budget live-action Star Wars movies which is why it is at the bottom of my list.
#11: STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999)
I had a hard time choosing whether The Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones would take this spot as I dislike them equally. What I eventually decided on was that Attack of the Clones had (undoubtedly) some of the worst moments in Star Wars, however, I find it easier to sit through Attack of the Clones. The Phantom Menace has some of my favourite moments (and music) in Star Wars, however, overall I think that it is generally a worse movie than Attack of the Clones which is why it is at this end of the list.
#10: STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002)
So by just a small margin, Attack of the Clones is taking the number 10 spot on my list. Because these movies are down at this end of the list, doesn't mean that I don't like them. Sure, I cringe at a lot of moments in these movies, but I still enjoy watching them and they each have some of my all-time favourite moments in Star Wars.
Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.
#9: STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH (2005)
I find that there is quite a big difference in quality between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Revenge of the Sith focuses less on the politics (as The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones do) and more on the action and cool villains. Revenge of the Sith ties in with the original trilogy the most out of all of the prequels which is what the Star Wars fans had been wanting to see.
#8: STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII - THE LAST JEDI (2017)
We are now reaching the sequel trilogy movies. The sequel trilogy (episodes VII, VIII and IX) is very controversial within the Star Wars fanbase. Some Star Wars fans claim that the sequels "ruined" Star Wars and that you are not a real Star Wars fan if you like these movies. I say that you are not a real Star Wars fan unless you can appreciate all Star Wars movies for what they are. In fact, I prefer these modern Star Wars movies over the cringy, but still enjoyable, prequels.
#7: SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2018)
This is the point in the list where these are all movies that I love, it is just a matter of which is slightly better than the other. Solo: A Star Wars Story was the risky movie exploring Han Solo's backstory by recasting iconic characters. The movie turned out to be a great piece of entertainment. The Han Solo at the end of the movie isn't quite the Han Solo we see at the beginning of A New Hope. This has led many fans to long for a sequel. A sequel still hasn't been announced since the movie's release in 2018 but hopefully one is on its way soon.
Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.
#6: STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015)
The Force Awakens was the long-awaited seventh instalment in the franchise and another from the sequel trilogy. This was the first Star Wars movie in ten years (which is a long time for Star Wars fans). So many fans had high expectations for this movie and I certainly was not disappointed when I saw the movie on my tenth birthday.
#5: ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016)
Rogue One is another of these "Star Wars Stories" that doesn't fit in amongst the nine movies forming the Skywalker Saga. The movie is set just before A New Hope, the original Star Wars movie. The best part about Rogue One is how it ties into A New Hope and the other original trilogy films. How the movies, tv shows and books tie into one other is one of my favourite aspects of the Star Wars franchise. So, the fact that Rogue One builds up to finishing seconds before A New Hope makes it one of my favourite Star Wars movies.
#4: STAR WARS: EPISODE IX - THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (2019)
The Rise of Skywalker is the most recent addition to the Star Wars franchise and unfortunately, the movie has become despised by many. I can somewhat understand their hate. By carrying on the story, the sequel trilogy somewhat ruined the fantastic ending of Return of the Jedi which was originally supposed to end the franchise. By re-ending the franchise, The Rise of Skywalker had to wrap up three generations of Star Wars stories. And, I'll be honest, the movie didn't do as well as Return of the Jedi. Many questions were left unanswered and the story didn't reach the high standards of previous Star Wars stories. However, movies aren't just about the story. Yes, it is (very) important but there are other important elements to Star Wars movies such as the special effects, music, fan service, and bringing back loved characters. The Rise of Skywalker embraced these elements fantastically, with some of these elements being amongst the best of the franchise.
Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.
#3: STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)
Although Star Wars fans are known for disagreeing with one another, there is one thing we can agree on: the best Star Wars movies are the original Star Wars movies. Although the movies certainly look old and has some outdated dialogue, no movie will ever be able to top these classics. Most Star Wars fans will have The Empire Strikes Back at the top of their favourites list, however, I find that there is something about A New Hope and Return of the Jedi that makes me love those just that bit more.
#2: STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE (1977)
Generally, no sequel is ever able to top the original. However, I love Return of the Jedi slightly more than A New Hope. However, A New Hope is a classic movie for Star Wars fans and cinema lovers alike. The movie started one of the longest-running movie franchises that has influenced so many aspects of pop culture. It will be remembered for years to come.
#1: STAR WARS: EPISODE VI - RETURN OF THE JEDI (1997)
Although A New Hope may be the most influential Star Wars movie, Return of the Jedi will forever remain my favourite Star Wars movie. Not only was it the perfect ending to an epic trilogy that tied the loop on so many stories, but it also has some of my favourite moments from the franchise. It is my favourite movie from my favourite movie franchise and I will be very surprised if that ever changes.
Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.
There it is: every Star Wars movie ranked by me. To be clear, this isn't necessarily which Star Wars movie is best and which is worst because the answer to this question will change drastically from person to person. This list is my least favourite Star Wars movie to my favourite; a unique list that will differ greatly from any other list on the internet.
Article by Tristan Carr
Last edited: 04/05/22
