Every Star Wars Movie Ranked From Worst to Best

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Today is May the 4th, and that means it’s time to celebrate all things Star Wars! To mark the occasion, we’ve ranked every Star Wars movie ever made – including the main films and spin-offs like Solo and Rogue One – in a comprehensive new list.

We’re creating a Star Wars movie ranking based on what fans think, online ratings, and our own perspectives. We’re only including the main numbered films and their direct spin-offs, so we’re leaving out things like the infamous Holiday Special, animated movies, and fan-made content.

Every Star Wars Movie Ranked From Worst to Best

11. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker

There’s been plenty of criticism of The Rise of Skywalker, and for good reason – it’s generally considered the weakest film in the sequel trilogy. Despite looking good, it doesn’t successfully tie together the ideas J.J. Abrams originally had, largely because Rian Johnson took the series in a different direction with The Last Jedi. This leads to a disjointed and forced feeling, as Abrams spends much of the movie undoing Johnson’s plot points. Even when the film focuses on being a Star Wars story, the writing and plot aren’t compelling enough for most fans. The infamous line, “Somehow, Palpatine returned,” perfectly sums up how contrived the whole thing feels.

10. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

Attack of the Clones is widely considered the weakest film in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. It suffers from being a transitional story, existing primarily to set up the events of the next movie. While it explores the origins of the clone army and hints at Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the dark side, the film is held back by a poor script and unconvincing performances. Despite George Lucas’s intentions for an epic space opera, it feels more like a low-budget stage play.

9. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

Okay, so looking back at the prequel trilogy, The Phantom Menace actually holds up surprisingly well, even with… well, Jar Jar. Seriously though, that lightsaber fight between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Darth Maul? Still the best in all of Star Wars, and John Williams’ music makes it even more epic. But honestly, the movie kind of messes with the magic of the original trilogy. It tries so hard to explain the Force, and sets up Darth Vader’s backstory in a way that just… doesn’t really fit with what makes Star Wars special. It feels like it’s trying too hard, you know?

8. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi is a really controversial Star Wars film. A major issue was Disney not ensuring directors Rian Johnson and J.J. Abrams had a unified plan for the trilogy. Johnson took some big creative risks with the story, and while some of those ideas might have worked on their own, they felt out of place given where the story was in the trilogy. It felt like the film tried to resolve the entire story arc too early, and even strong visuals couldn’t overcome those narrative problems.

7. Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo tries to recapture the playful spirit of Star Wars, avoiding the overly serious tone some recent installments have taken. As an origin story for Han Solo, it prioritizes adventure and fun. Director Ron Howard delivers plenty of exciting action and a fantastic dynamic between Han and Chewbacca. However, the film suffers from being a fairly standard origin story – it doesn’t offer much new or surprising. Ultimately, it’s a solid, but predictable, Star Wars adventure.

6. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens

The 2015 release of The Force Awakens successfully revived the Star Wars franchise. J.J. Abrams delivered a strong directorial effort, and the new characters fit seamlessly alongside the originals, creating a satisfying sense of legacy. The film’s surprises were also genuinely effective. However, The Force Awakens hasn’t aged as well because the subsequent movies didn’t live up to the potential it established. It’s unfortunate that the intriguing questions the film raised weren’t properly answered due to a lack of long-term planning. On its own, though, The Force Awakens remains a fun and engaging movie, even if it relies heavily on familiar elements to appeal to fans.

5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Released in 2016, Rogue One has become even more appreciated after the Andor series finished. What makes it stand out is its ability to tell a sweeping space story without relying on lightsabers, instead using a darker, more realistic tone. The film cleverly addressed a long-standing question about A New Hope – the weakness in the Death Star – by revealing it was a deliberate choice made by the station’s creator. Rather than copying the style of the main Star Wars films, Rogue One delivers a gripping, fast-paced story, and features what many consider to be the best Darth Vader scene in the entire saga.

4. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi

It might be surprising to some, but Return of the Jedi isn’t universally loved. While researching, I found a lot of criticism aimed at it – it doesn’t quite reach the storytelling heights of The Empire Strikes Back, and many find it hard to believe the Ewoks could defeat the Empire. Despite these issues, I still consider it a classic, largely because of how effectively it wraps up the emotional story between Luke and Darth Vader.

3. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Revenge of the Sith is widely considered the strongest film in the prequel trilogy, and arguably what George Lucas envisioned for the entire series. It powerfully depicts Anakin Skywalker’s descent into darkness and his transformation into Darth Vader. The movie strikes a good balance between tragedy and a hopeful outlook, effectively bridging the gap to the original trilogy. While some dialogue feels overly dramatic at times, the film generally maintains a fast pace and focuses on intense emotions.

2. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

A New Hope isn’t just important because it launched the Star Wars franchise – it’s a great movie on its own. It effectively starts Luke Skywalker’s story and beautifully captures the feel of his home planet, Tatooine. Beyond that, it introduces one of the most iconic villains in film history and lays the groundwork for a massive and beloved science fiction universe. It truly earns all the praise it continues to receive.

1. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back isn’t just a fantastic Star Wars film; it’s a truly exceptional movie. While Attack of the Clones stumbled as the middle chapter of its trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back excels in every way. It raises the tension, broadens the Star Wars universe, introduces unforgettable characters, and pushes the hero to his lowest moment. As the darkest installment in the original trilogy, it remains a timeless classic, enjoyable even after decades of re-watching.

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2026-05-04 15:15