Credit: Lucasfilm; Star Wars logo
After the release of the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga in theatres, we list all nine films from least to greatest.
By now, many of you have already seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi based on its very successful box office opening weekend. Certainly no one has been shy about voicing their opinions on it. Given the social media dominated age we live in, reaction ranges from “it’s better than Empire Strikes Back” to “Disney has ruined Star Wars for all time!”
But how does the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga really stack up? Does it really deserve the accolades it’s been receiving? Or is it, as some allege, even worse than the Prequels? Well, it’s time to find out just where The Last Jedi ranks among the other films, as we list all nine Star Wars movies from least to greatest.
Yes, I can imagine hearing some of you devoted Star Wars fans, with your vast encyclopedic knowledge, correct me by saying, “Well actually, there’s really more than nine Star Wars movies.” True, but just to be clear, we’re only including the live-action theatrical releases. This means we are not including the CGI animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008). Nor does this list include the two made-for-TV Ewoks movies. And it definitely will not have the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978), even if it does feature the debut of Boba Fett.
Also, keep in mind that is a subjective list. Each one of these films have their strengths and weaknesses, but are also vastly entertaining in their own right. It’s just that some are more entertaining, and in some cases more beloved, than others. Let the Force be with us as we count off the lows and highs of the Star Wars saga.
Credit: Lucasfilm; poster for Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
9. Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002)
For decades, George Lucas built himself a well-deserved reputation as a master storyteller and a pioneering filmmaker, especially it came to Star Wars. Even if The Phantom Menace (1999) wasn’t as strong when compared with the original trilogy, fans, moviegoers, and critics still cut him some slack for this reason. Then came Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones, then everyone started wondering if Lucas’ lost the magic.
Clones was also one of the first big-budget movies filmed entirely in HD. It had more computer-generated characters and “digital [stunt] doubles.” Save for a few scenes on Naboo and Tatooine, much of the filming took place on a sound stage in front of a green screen. The result is that Clones looks like the most expensive full-motion video game ever made.
Not that Clones doesn’t have its moments. Obi-Wan Kenobi’s (Ewan McGregor) fighting Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison) on the perpetually raining planet of Kamino is an exciting action set-piece. Other moments like Kenobi’s ship dodging exploding asteroids, or the assembly of the titular clone troopers look breathtaking. Then are moments which may have seemed awesome on paper come off looking ridiculous on-screen, like the CGI Yoda and Count Dooku’s (Christopher Lee) lightsaber battle.
What really sinks the movie, however, is the cringe-inducing, melodramatic romance of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Padme Amadala (Natalie Portman). Christensen’s performance alone has more wood than the Amazon, made all the worse by laughable dialogue like the infamous “I hate sand” speech.
It’s clear what Lucas was attempting with Attack of the Clones. At its heart was a tragedy of forbidden love against the backdrop of war, of how evil can come to power by taking advantage of our fears and good intentions. Unfortunately, Lucas, for whatever reasons, failed to match his ambitions.
Credit: Lucasfilm; poster for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
8. Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999)
Praised on its release, time has not proven kind to this first of the Star Wars prequels. Its reputation as one of the worst films in the saga has only intensified, thanks to a lengthy, comical, but brilliant and, at times, educational film analysis by Red Letter Media. But is The Phantom Menace really as bad as Star Wars fans make it out to be? Well…kind of.
The intergalactic politics between the Republic and the Trade Federation—the main conflict of the Prequel trilogy—is tedious as it is vague. The explanation that “midichlorians” determine one’s strength in the usage of The Force is ridiculous, even by sci-fi fantasy standards, and almost undermines Star Wars’ sense of wonder itself. Jake Lloyd as the young Anakin Skywalker does his best but still grates on the nerves. Oh, and let’s not forget about the worst character in the history of Star Wars, the persistently annoying Jar Jar Binks…if we only could!
Nevertheless, there’s enough in The Phantom Menace which makes it somewhat commendable. Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn, Natalie Portman as Padme, and Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan each give decent performances. The pod racing sequence is riveting, edge-on-your-seat fun. This is also the movie which introduced fans to Darth Maul (Ray Park), the most popular villain of the saga since Darth Vader. The lightsaber duel between him, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan, accompanied by John Williams’ excellent “Duel of the Fates,” remains one of the best choreographed fight scenes in the films to date.
No, The Phantom Menace isn’t completely terrible, but it definitely doesn’t live up to the Trilogy which inspired it. And if this is what Lucas had planned for Episode I all along (though it’s doubtful he did), then this needed a definite rewrite…and less Jar Jar.
Credit: Lucasfilm; poster for Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
7. Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005)
George Lucas’ last film isn’t just the best of the Prequel Trilogy, it’s the only one that’s essential viewing for a Star Wars marathon, at least according to some fans. It’s also, appropriately enough, one of the darker films of the saga, and the first one rated PG-13.
Revenge of the Sith is also the Prequel film which comes close to matching the Original Trilogy in terms of scope and grandeur. The long take which starts the film after the opening crawl, and the space battle which it shows, reminds you that, despite the flaws of the prequels, Lucas was still a master of technical filmmaking. Ewan McGregor, as Obi-Wan Kenobi, also proves the adage “third time’s the charm” as you can see the shades of Alec Guinness emerge in his portrayal.
But it’s Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine who really shines, as his scenes with Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker actually elevate the later actor’s performance. The moment when Palpatine tempts Anakin to the dark side at the opera is so well delivered, even the audience, like Anakin, will start questioning the Jedi’s true motives.
Unfortunately, like Menace and Clones, Lucas still overdoes it one too many times. General Grievous is a cool-looking, but underwhelming villain. The fall of the Jedi and rise of the Empire happens way too fast. The otherwise spectacular, heart-wrenching duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin on the lava planet, Mustafar, is in serious need of trimming. Even the intercuts between the birth of Luke and Leia and the “birth” of Darth Vader is ruined from James Earl Jones’ unintentionally hilarious, “No!”
Still, as over-the-top as Revenge of the Sith gets, it feels appropriate given the story it tells. If you think of it as an elaborate stage production–and the playwright, Tom Stoppard, did co-write the script–you may overlook the overwrought line delivery. If it really bothers you, just watch it with the sound off.
Credit: Lucasfilm; poster for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
After Revenge of the Sith, everyone thought the Star Wars saga had come to a close. Other than Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels cartoons, and the now-defunct Expanded Universe, Sith was the last live-action Star Wars movie. Then came the first teaser trailer for The Force Awakens, and everyone fell in love with Star Wars all over again. And during the Christmas week when the movie came out, those fans felt rewarded.
It’s easy to see why. Under J.J. Abrams direction, it has the look and feel of the original trilogy the prequels never did. Sequences such as the Millennium Falcon flying through the Star Destroyer junkyard on Jakku, or Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren’s (Adam Driver) duel in the snow-covered forest, are reminiscent of Star Wars‘ classic moments. New characters, particularly John Boyega as the Stormtrooper defector, Finn, and the droid, BB-8, are memorable and likable. Kylo Ren himself makes for a complex, sympathetic would-be Sith Lord. And, of course, Harrison Ford reprising his role as Han Solo is a sheer delight.
Unfortunately, The Force Awakens also has two major drawbacks. All too often, it feels like you’re watching a remake of A New Hope. It’s one thing for Abrams to pay homage to the original Star Wars; it’s quite another when he virtually retells the same plot beat for beat. It also suffers from his “mystery box” style of storytelling, i.e. maintaining audience interest by keeping characters and their backstories deliberately vague. This is especially the case for Rey, whose unexplained mastery of the Force resulted in heated debates over whether she was a “Mary Sue.”
Still, after the misery of the Star Wars prequels, this first chapter of the new trilogy, and one without Lucas at the helm, felt like a much-needed course correction. Does it rely too much on fans memories of the first trilogy? Absolutely! Like Abrams’ Star Trek, The Force Awakens is unapologetic fan service. It also rescued the saga out of the doldrums. For this reason alone, it deserves our praise.
Credit: Lucasfilm; original poster for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
5. Rouge One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
The first thing which tells you Rogue One isn’t your typical Star Wars movie is when it opens without John William’s signature theme or the opening text scrawl. At the same time, if you thought The Force Awakens had the look and feel of A New Hope, Rogue One replicates it right down to the Rebel’s 1970’s style sideburns. Yet somehow, Gareth Edwards’ “It’s Star Wars, but not quite” concept often works.
To best describe Rogue One, it’s a sci-fi take on World War II films like The Dirty Dozen or The Guns of Navarone, where a rag-tag group of misfit but experienced fighters set out on a suicide mission to turn the tide. The difference is the war in question is the galactic one between the Rebels and the Empire, and their mission is obtaining the Death Star plans. A simple, straight-forward plot, sure, but one with a very clear, narrative focus. It also offers a refreshing look at Star Wars from the perspective of the grunts and the average person.
Even so, the new characters, all of whom perform admirably, are bland and underdeveloped, especially Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), and Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn). Others like Empire defector Bodhi (Riz Ahmed) and Saw Gerrera (Forest Whittaker) have little to do. The exceptions are Donnie Yen as the blind Force-sensitive, Chirrut Imwe, and Jiang Wen as the gun-totting Baze Malbus. The one who really steals the movie, however, is the reprogrammed Imperial droid, K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) who is, bar none, the most hilarious character in the entire franchise.
This is also the entry of the saga infamous for its reshoots and “resurrecting” Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin. The first hour can also feel a bit slow, too. Yet once the crew of the titular Rogue One arrives at the Imperial base on Scarif, the action never lets up, with a space battle and ground-based firefight rivaling those of Return of the Jedi. It also effectively links itself to first Star Wars film, which includes a fantastic Darth Vader scene reminding you why he’s such an iconic villain in the first place.
I admire Rogue One for its willingness to take risks within the Star Wars universe. It doesn’t always succeed, but when it does, it really feels like a true supplement for the original trilogy.
Credit: Lucasfilm; original poster for Return of the Jedi (1983)
4. Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983)
Make no mistake, I love Return of the Jedi. As the finale to Lucas’ original trilogy, it couldn’t be a more get up out of your seat and cheer crowd-pleaser. At the same time, it’s also a production clearly influenced by marketing and brand recognition in the wake Star Wars‘ popularity and merchandising deals. Case in point: the kid-friendly, teddy bear-like Ewoks, who were originally supposed to be Wookies. Or how the main plot involves the Rebel Alliance attempting to blow up another Death Star. In other words, Return of the Jedi plays it too safe.
But Return of the Jedi also has some of the most memorable moments in all the original trilogy. The vile, slug-like, intergalactic crime lord, Jabba the Hutt, is another triumph of practical effects. The escape over the Scarlac Pit is pure swashbuckling excitement, and the speeder bike chase is absolute perfection. And nothing in the Saga has yet topped the three-way battle of Endor in terms of its scope and narrative editing.
On that same note, the scenes in the Emperor’s throne room are sublime. Ian McDiarmid’s first outing as Emperor Palpatine just oozes scene-chewing villainy, while Mark Hamill’s Luke, no longer the wide-eyed, immature farm boy, radiates a zen-like gravitas. James Earl Jones’ voiceover for Darth Vader also gives us a look the tragic figure beneath the breath mask. All of this makes the final duel between Luke and Vader, and it’s aftermath, an emotionally charged, satisfying conclusion for Luke’s heroic journey.
Yes, Return of the Jedi is the weakest chapter of the original trilogy, and, if you know the behind-the-scenes making of the film, you can’t help wonder what it could have been. But would I change anything about it? Not on your life. Well, except the Ewoks, maybe.
Credit: Lucasfilm; poster for Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2015)
3. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Based on the divide between critics and fans, Rian Johnson’s contribution to Star Wars may go down as one the most divisive films in the saga’s history. It’s certainly the most subversive. More self-aware than The Force Awakens, it uses fans’ knowledge of Star Wars to completely upend their expectations–if not troll them outright–with a sly, gleeful wink.
Mark Hamill’s excellent performance as an older and disgruntled Luke Skywalker embodies this attitude. From the moment Rey hands him his lightsaber–which he then cavalierly throws away–he basically keeps telling her, “Get off my lawn.” (Or planet, in this case.) When he finally does teach her, his lessons are all about how the Force is greater than the Jedi, the Sith, and especially any “chosen one.” Through him, Johnson flat-out tells his audience to stop mythologizing and clinging so much to Star Wars’ past, and chart their own course.
The Last Jedi also deepens and evolves both Rey and Kylo Ren, and their scenes together radiate philosophical, psychological, and even sexual tension. It’s also a visually striking film, as Johnson uses cinematic techniques never used before in other Star Wars movies. The predominant usage of the color red in such scenes as Snoke’s (Andy Serkis) throne room and the climax on the planet Crait make what are already vivid, powerful moments even more memorable. There’s also a moment where a ship jumps into lightspeed that is both beautiful and terrifying, leaving as silent as the scene itself.
Not that this film doesn’t have its share of problems. While Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac) has more to do here than in Force Awakens, his otherwise great character arc falls apart under scrutiny. The side mission involving Finn and the newly introduced Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) on a casino planet drags. Benicio del Toro as the codebreaker, DJ, is just odd. Those looking for answers to the questions raised by Force Awakens raised may not like the results. Also, what was up with that milk scene?
Daring, vexing, and controversial, at least by Star Wars standards, The Last Jedi succeeds in staying with you hours after it’s over. It also makes the late Carrie Fisher’s final role as General Leia seem that much more poignant. Still, it’s easy seeing why some fans are hating this film. Considering how The Last Jedi ends, there’s some unease, but excitement, over where the saga could go from here.
Credit: Lucasfilm; poster for Star Wars Special Edition (1977, 1997)
2. Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)
The cinematic and cultural phenomenon which started it all, what else can one say about Star Wars that hasn’t already been said? From the opening text scrawl to the closing credits, every single frame and camera shot in this movie is unforgettable. Mention the names Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, RD-2D, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Vader, and you instantly see him in your mind’s eye. It’s writer and director George Lucas’ finest work, and deservedly so.
I imagine when Lucas started creating and developing Star Wars, all he wanted to do was retell Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress (1958) by way of westerns, 1950’s Flash Gordon serials, and Joseph Campbell’s The Hero With a Thousand Faces. What’s remarkable is how minimalist and unpolished it looks, even with the “Special Edition” edits. Somehow, this works in the movie’s favor and not against it. This “galaxy [from] far, far away” feel gritty, lived in, and thus more real even with the spaceships, robots, aliens, lasers, and magic.
Much of this has to do with the characters. Despite being obvious archetypes, every actor treats their part seriously and with conviction. This is especially the case with Alec Guinness as Kenobi and Peter Cushing as Tarkin, who, at the time, were veterans of their craft. Yet Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford are just as good, making even the most cheesy dialogue sound completely natural.
Of course, Star Wars wouldn’t be what it is without its action set pieces like the escape from the Death Star or the X-Wing fighter flying through the trenches. Yet Lucas also allows for quieter, introspective moments, too, such as the wonderful shot of Luke watching the twin sunset on Tatooine. Credit also has to go to composer John Williams, too, for his Oscar-winning musical score.
Lucas has gone back and tweaked the film over the years, adding in new effects to keep it up to date. It almost seems unnecessary. Star Wars is timeless, a story of good against evil that countless generations will watch and re-watch long after we are gone. Besides, everyone knows that Han is the one who shot first.
Credit: Lucasfilm; original poster for The Empire Strikes Back (1981)
1. Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The original Star Wars is a great film, but The Empire Strikes Back is what turned it into a modern-day mythology. In fact when some fans think of Star Wars, they think of Empire first. It does what sequels should do, of course. It’s bigger in terms of running time, effects, and budget. The characters from the first have further development, while seamlessly introducing as new ones like the charming scoundrel, Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). What Empire also does is expand and build upon the larger universe and history it only hinted at in A New Hope.
It’s also the one Star Wars movie, other than A New Hope, with a near flawless narrative structure. Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO pursued by Darth Vader and his Imperial armada provide the rousing adventure, suspense and romance audiences would expect. Luke’s training in the ways of the Jedi, however, winds up being some of the movie’s most compelling moments, especially since Mark Hamill is the only human actor in those scenes. Then, by the third act, both plots comic together in a fantastic lightsaber duel between Luke and Vader, culminating in one of the most shocking revelations in all of cinema.
Empire also, like the original Star Wars, took a huge leap forward in special effects, too. The battle of Hoth, with its giant Imperial walkers, still looks as impressive. The same goes for chase between the Millenium Falcon and Tie Fighters through a giant asteroid field–all done with stop-motion. Yoda, as performed and voiced by Frank Oz, makes you forget that you’re actually looking at a puppet. So good were the practical effects that, out of all the Special Editions, Empire was the least tinkered with.
Many consider The Empire Strikes Back the darkest and most somber of the original trilogy. It definitely is, at times, but fittingly so. Although not as popular as it’s predecessor when it released, Empire today is now considered the gold standard of Star Wars. It’s the film which makes the original trilogy one of the most beloved film series on all time.
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Agree with this list? Do you agree with where The Last Jedi is placed? How would you list the Star Wars movies from least favorite to most favorite? Reach out with your feelings and let your thoughts be known in the comments section.