George Lucas broughtStar Warsto life in 1977, forever changing the way in which audiences would view both cinema and the blend of sci-fi and fantasy.Star Warswas George Lucas’ epic space opera, and millions of fans across the globe will have their own ranking to debate their definitive ranking of everyStar Warsmovie, indulging in what makes some incredible, others mediocre, and some straight-up bad.
TheStar Warsfranchise has been on somewhat of a rocky road over the years, and not everyone is in agreement with what makes aStar Warsmovie good, and certainly not what makes aStar Warsmovie one of the best ever made. Whether it’s critic reception or fan celebration, it’s time to rank everyStar Warsmovie from worst to best.
19%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
40%
Star Wars: The Clone Warsbrings audiences back into the era of the Grand Republic and the Jedi by showcasing an average day in the life of a Jedi Knight. The story itself follows Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan learner, Ahsoka Tano, while they battle through the Clone Wars to rescue Jabba the Hutt’s son. By today’s standards, it may seem likean average episode ofStar Wars: The Clone Wars, but as a movie, it doesn’t work on its own two feet.
Star Wars: The Clone Warssuffered from its animation, and while the style and animation have expanded significantly to be some of the best stylised animations out there, it wasn’t always the case, and for 2008 it seemed more like a demo reel than what would eventually be one of the most defining TV series ofStar Wars.
51%
86%
Star Wars’ decline began aroundThe Last Jedi, in which the fanbase would be forever torn. As such, the supposed finale to theSkywalker familysaga sought to bring back Emperor Palpatine as the saga’s “big bad”, which resulted in a questionable McGuffin chase involving Rey, all while sidling the potential for Finn’s character growth to bring forth some random fan-service that never paid back the fans.
The fan service inThe Rise of Skywalkeris a tad uninspired, and it seemed that the entire movie was set up to correct the course ofThe Last Jedi. A mediocre and seemingly random romance between Rey and Kylo Ren blossomed in the last 5 minutes, and the closing chapter of the Skywalker Saga didn’t really involve any Skywalkers except what the name represents, leading many to believe that in the end, the blood of Palpatine won.
91%
41%
Nobody can deny thatThe Last Jedilooks like a compelling movie with incredible visuals worthy of discussion. However, something that has long overstayed its welcome is the discourse surrounding the movie itself. Many were disappointed by the plot that involved a broken blue-milk-drinking Luke Skywalker who would rather rot on an island and forsake his destiny and his friends, all while a nonsensical B-plot involves a casino and a codebreaker that doesn’t amount to anything.
The Last Jedihas been a hot topic of debate in theStar Warsfandom since 2017, and it’s easy to see why it’s so divisive. The film looks great, and some of the meta-commentary about destiny, fate, and the profits of war could lead to interesting topics, but it all boils down to an attempt to subvert expectations in which division forms and nobody ends up happy.
69%
63%
Doing away with the central Skywalker Saga,Solo: A Star Wars Storyattempted something more disconnected, light-hearted, and straight-up fun. Solo was an origin story for everyone’s favorite scruffy-looking nerf herder: Han Solo. Except no de-aging was required to bring forth a charismatic casting of Alden Ehrenreich, who respects Harrison Ford’s irreparable wit, but also brings forth his own charm.
WhileSolo: A Star Wars Storymight play some aspects too safe, and for others, seem uninteresting due to the fate of the characters involved already being sealed, it’s still a fun ride for those who want something less serious to sink into. Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian and Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo aretrue show stealers, and it’s a shame they didn’t receive more time in the galaxy far, far away.
65%
56%
George Lucas learned a few lessons betweenThe Phantom MenaceandAttack of the Clones, and with the exposition all set and out of the way, it was time to get into the meat ofStar Warsand understand Anakin’s story better to prepare for his fall into the metallic shoes of Darth Vader. To do that, Anakin would protect Padmé Amidala, the woman he loved since he was a boy, from an assassin plot, while Obi-Wan Kenobi uncovers the commissioned Clone Army for the Republic, as tensions with the Separatists grow.
Attack of the Clonessets the pieces into play for the Galactic Republic’s war with the Separatists, directly involving the Jedi in a tragic conflict that would see them as generals, not peacekeepers. Yet, the necessary tragedy and the shining moments of Anakin’s dark side boiling into his moments of frustration and youth are downplayed somewhat by cheesy dialogue and too much going on at once.
52%
59%
Returning to the galaxy far, far away had audiences and critics excited, but that excitement would soon begin to dwindle after the opening credits when heavy exposition and space politics would take the stage. The story itself follows Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, while they try to ease tensions on Naboo.
A plot thick with politics and exposition, with a lot to set up for the sequels to come,The Phantom Menacecan drag on a bit, but when it gets rolling withthe Darth Maul battlewith John Williams’ Duel of the Fates, it all becomes worth it.The Phantom Menaceexperiments with a new wave with George Lucas’ creativity and use of CGI, but it doesn’t have the same magic as the practical effects and humbleness of the originals, and it perhaps indulges too much in silly antics.
93%
84%
When Disney purchased Lucasfilm and the keys to theStar Warsfranchise, it was inevitable that the stories of the Skywalkers would continue. It had been 32 years since audiences had last seen Luke Skywalker, andThe Force Awakenswould blast into theaters, returning to the nostalgic-heavy set pieces and familiar plots of the originalStar Warsin a hunt to find Luke Skywalker to save the galaxy once more.
Most ofThe Force Awakensaids in reintroducing audiences to familiar concepts surrounding the Force and the characters that fans had long loved for decades with Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and C3-PO, all while bringing new and interesting faces to the crowd like the mysterious origins of the scavenger, Rey, and the Stormtrooper defector, Finn.The Force Awakensperhaps played it too safe with its plot retreadingStar Wars(1977) with modern twists, but it was a promising start to an underwhelming trilogy.
87%
Rogue One: A Star WarsStory brings audiences back to the original 1977 StarWars, and involves the story of how the Rebel Alliance acquired the Death Star plans that directly shaped the story years prior. This spin-off takes audiences around the galaxy, as Jyn Erso teams with a rag-tag group of rebels to find her father, the scientist responsible for the Empire’s super weapon, so they can find the necessary plans to destroy it.
Rogue One: A Star WarsStorytakes desirable risks with theStar Warsfranchise by showcasing likeable characters that they aren’t afraid to kill off. Rogue One presents a realism to the fantasy sci-fi elements ofStar Warswith its depiction of war, and who could ever dare forget the impressionable return of Darth Vader and that epic hallway scene?
96%
A New Hope(More familiar to some as justStar Wars) may just be the movie that changed cinema forever, by showcasing to audiences of children and adults just what a blockbuster could be. It was creative, fun, and unique in every layer of visuals, sound, and story. Following a farm boy on Tatooine desperate for an exciting life, Luke Skywalker is thrust into the midst of a war against the evil Empire with a smuggler and a formerJedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi,as they attempt to destroy the dreaded Death Star.
A New Hopeis responsible for unlocking the creativity and joy that cinema could have in many thanks to George Lucas’ worlds, and while by today’s standards, some elements might seem like they have aged poorly, it’s impossible to deny the believability of the characters, the technology, and the pure magic involved.
82%
94%
The conclusion to the original trilogy brings forth Luke Skywalker, a Jedi Knight who has completed his training with Yoda and brings forth his wisdom, skill, and optimism to try and save his friends, and the galaxy, andreturn his father to the Light sideof the Force. Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance take to the forest moon of Endor where an alliance with Ewoks could see the Dark Side forever defeated.
Return of the Jedihas many great elements to admire as a finale to George Lucas’Star Warsseries. On top of having one of the most satisfying endings of any saga,Return of the Jedientertains with its adorable, yet somewhat goofy Ewoks, and captivates with the alluring seduction of power from Emperor Palpatine and his seeming lapdog, Darth Vader.
