The Definitive Ranking of the Star Wars Films
Once again, we’re being treated to another Star Wars film this holiday season. The Rise of Skywalker closes out the Skywalker Saga, finishing the story first started by George Lucas in 1977. But that’s not the end of Star Wars by a long shot, surely, as we’ve seen with the stand-alone prequel films, and knowing there’s more to come on the big screen and on streaming services, we’ve decided to celebrate the universe of Star Wars by ranking all of the live-action films (sorry Clone Wars movie). We’re eager to see where The Rise of Skywalker lands on our list, but for now please enjoy the list our staff has compiled together!
10. Attack of the Clones
When people rank the prequels, usually they place The Phantom Menace or Revenge of the Sith at number 1. I have rarely seen anyone claim that Attack of the Clones is the best of the late ‘90s-early 2000s Star Wars Saga, even with its impressive arena battle. But you know I have a soft spot for this deranged sci-fi romance/detective story/political drama. There are elements of the movie that work (but only in the abstract, not in execution). I like Obi-Wan as a gumshoe trying to uncover the mystery of the lost planet Kamino. Padme and Anakin having a forbidden romance in the idyllic Naboo—sounds enticing! Even the underhanded machinations of Palpatine are intriguing as he preys on the impressionable, hotheaded Anakin. George Lucas isn’t even aware of his most fascinating thread: how the complete failures of the Jedi Council led to their destruction. Attack of the Clones could have been a good movie, and a satisfying middle chapter in the Anakin trilogy. If only George Lucas had paid attention to the human emotions in his ideas, rather than focusing on pushing his technology advancements to the point of garishness.
- Manish Mathur
9. Solo
Like most people, I was wary of an origin film about a young Han Solo. But when Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, an incredibly talented duo known for making seemingly bad ideas into great movies, were brought on to direct, my hopes were unexpectedly in the stratosphere. So, when they left/were removed mid-production it was worrying to say the least. I’m not going to re-litigate that whole mess, but I will say that it felt odd bringing very improvisational directors in to film a script by Lawrence Kasdan in the first place, and ultimately their departure was best for both parties. And while I will always wonder what their version of Solo could have been, I still largely enjoy the space adventure Ron Howard delivered.
Solo never fully makes itself feel necessary, and in spots even threatens to undercut Han’s arc in the Original Trilogy (not to mention the groan-worthy origin of his surname), but it is a well-crafted and exciting story set in my favorite fictional universe. Alden Ehrenreich does an admirable job of channeling Ford’s iconic smuggler without stepping over into imitation or parody. The supporting characters having fun personalities, especially Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s scene-stealing L3-37, helps, too. The film also looks incredible, when crappy projection is not getting in the way, thanks to Bradford Young’s unique and beautiful cinematography. Certain sequences are nearly monochromatic in their color palette, setting the movie apart visually from the others in this series. In the end, a lower-tier Star Wars movie is still a Star Wars movie, and as long as it isn’t completely bereft of the joys of this universe, I can’t be mad.
- Sam Van Haren
8. The Phantom Menace
Time heals all wounds. That’s the ultimate lesson I learned with The Phantom Menace. I, like many Star Wars fans, was underwhelmed by George Lucas’ first entry in his new prequel trilogy back in 1999. It wasn’t what I would consider Star Wars, and there was so much going against it that I felt just a little angry that the thing even existed. But, things changed one December night in 2015, when I decided to take an entire day and sit in a theater and watch the first six Star Wars films leading up to the premiere of The Force Awakens. I came out of the marathon screening with one key thing in mind: George Lucas really should be applauded for sticking to his guns and making his vision come to life. Whether it’s a textbook good vision or not… I don’t know, probably not. But in him deciding to make The Phantom Menace a political film about trade embargos while setting up the greatest villain in film history as a precocious kid makes the whole experience at the very least interesting. But, again, whether a film being interesting makes it any better is up to the viewer, but for me, I’m at least thankful George Lucas got to make his trilogy, and this movie, as weird as he would’ve liked, especially during a time when studio interference would have stifled his passion project (and quite frankly, nowadays, would still work to mangle it).
- Marcelo Pico
7. Rogue One
Rogue One is the best of the Star Wars movies. Yeah, I said it and I will whole-heartedly defend this opinion. First, this is the only movie Cassian Andor is in, therefore, it is superior to all the others. Jyn Erso is a rebel child in all the ways David Bowie would be proud of. And I actually really enjoy K-2SO’s very cynical humor. Not only are the characters some of the best and most diverse personalities to come out of the franchise since Disney bought it but the plot is not some recycled draft of the original screenplay with a couple of names changed. Rogue One also answers some smaller plot holes that have been unexplained since the first film came out in 1977 and the ending leads right to the opening of Episode IV where Princess Leia receives the plans for the Death Star. Aside from all these wonderful elements that make up this Star Wars story, Rogue One is special because the ending is dark and not expected but completely realistic (or as realistic as a sci-fi film can be).
- Shea Vassar
6. Revenge of the Sith
The Star Wars prequels have always existed and thrived in divisive conversations since their release, but one element that many Star Wars fans agree on is Revenge of the Sith’s climatic final hour. George Lucas’ final installment imbued his digital experimentation, mythic concepts, and staggering world-building with a narrative urgency that results in a tragic, gothic showdown. Observing the fall of democracy with a widely-accepted tyrannical reign, and the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader – shiny and new, like a grotesquely formal Frankenstein’s Monster – still sends shivers down my spine. Lucas’ prequel films also feature action that borders on the balletic, and it is a perfect match for Episode III’s sorrow and pain, one that is defined by deteriorating relationships and the politically/morally-grey complexity of the prequels giving way to the clear-cut Empire and the resulting Rebellion. Revenge of the Sith embodies so much of why Star Wars lingers on, as a bridge between past and future, and as a balance between spectacle and soap opera.
- William Mai
5. The Force Awakens
The Force Awakens is a minor miracle in terms of blockbuster revival. Continuing a story thought finished years before while adding new and interesting characters, it’s a delight seeing both the new and old casts interact not just with each other but this world years after the fall of the Empire. Daisy Ridley shines as the audience cipher, discovering everything as we do, meeting legends and newcomers alike. Adam Driver, a veteran of independent cinema, steals every scene he’s in, sowing the seeds of what is quickly becoming a favorite character arc of mine. Oh, and Harrison Ford really comes to play doing great work in a role I’m sure he never thought he’d reprise. Here his Han Solo plays the role of guide and mentor and he gives one of his best performances of the famous character. Some may not be too happy with some of the choices made here especially when it comes to the DISCOURSE surrounding the film, but that vocal minority is best ignored. This is a rousing, old-school Star Wars, calling back to what worked in the past and working in some new wrinkles as well. It’s got great action, terrific performances all around, and one of my favorite lightsaber battles in the entire saga, The Force Awakens has it all.
- Matt Curione
4. Return of the Jedi
Featuring some next-level creature design, even for a Star Wars movie, and an emotionally charged finale, Return of the Jedi was my favorite in the series when I was growing up. Sure that love has lessened over the years but this is one that will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s not only a fun movie, but one that holds emotional resonance like few blockbusters of its kind.
From the return to Tatooine and the introduction of crime lord Jabba the Hutt to the great Ewok sequence (Ewoks are cool, haters can fall in a ditch), Jedi has a little something for everyone. Sure I have issues with Han Solo’s “Big Dumb” portrayal here but he’s still fun to watch and so is the movie, no matter how many times I’ve seen it. The power of the throne room finale can’t be understated. The reunion of father and son, being forced to fight to the death by Emperor Palpatine is enough to draw tears. So much emotion on display, it’s a supreme Space Opera and high melodrama, something that George Lucas excels at.
- Matt Curione
3. The Last Jedi
Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi is a contemplation. It's Star Wars confronting itself and all the issues that make this world morally complex and genuinely fascinating. The world of Star Wars is beautiful and complicated, and the characters are deeply human in their aspirations towards their idea of perfection and all the ways they stumble on their way towards it. Johnson wants us to love and appreciate these wonderful people but realize that they are just that — people, with all the flaws and baggage that come with being a person under an intense amount of pressure to be heroic and legendary.
Yet, while this film gives you this rich meta perspective, it's possibly the most Star Wars-y of the sequel trilogy. Without leaning too heavily on nostalgia (for God's sake, his script literally calls it a "cheap trick" when R2-D2 uses nostalgia to manipulate Luke), Johnson evokes the vibe and feeling of the original trilogy. He uses the same sources of inspiration as Lucas, using a touch of Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon to tell differing perspectives on the same event. The visuals are unbelievable, and the score is beautiful. The fact that a film like this was released by a corporation like Disney is a miraculous glimmer of hope in what often feels like a bleak landscape of boring franchise filmmaking.
- Callie Smith
2. A New Hope
Nothing has been the same since Star Wars premiered in 1977. Forget the discourse for a second (please) and appreciate how George Lucas’ vision of episodic space serials formed how movies were made from there on. Try to look past the aesthetic changes made by Lucas from 1997 on, in each “Special Edition”, and be grateful a tale as old as time was made by a dream team of special effects wizards, featuring handcrafted practical effects and sound design that is as iconic as Luke, Leia, and Han. Star Wars (which added the A New Hope subtitle in 1981) is why many of us love movies, whether it’s apparent or not. As much as the times change and for however many “Maclunkeys” are thrown in, the core story of Star Wars still resonants, and its thrilling visuals are still imprinted into the minds of millions (or billions at this point). If only more grand blockbusters nowadays had the mindset to try something as daring as Star Wars did in 1977; as Luke saw a future beyond his home planet, looking out at the two setting suns, we as an audience are crave something just as fresh and bold.
- Marcelo Pico
1. The Empire Strikes Back
For most of us it has been in our consciousness for so long, that it doesn’t feel like what it is. A risk. It could have simply picked up where it left off after the wild success of Star Wars but instead it separates our trio within the first half hour. Han and Leia go off on one adventure and Luke shares scenes with a puppet up until the last 20 minutes of the film. An adventure film, of course, but also borrows from romance, philosophy, and even slasher tropes. Somehow this stew all works together into what may be the best movie set in a galaxy far, far, away. Instead of telling the same story, it makes the world larger on one journey and makes the focus deeper and more internal in the other. Yes, it is has a dark ending. But that’s not why it’s great. It is great because it builds on not only the events of the first film but also on the depth of characterization of our protagonists. They care, we care, and it leaves us in deep despair that needs a third film as a resolution. This is what Star Wars can be and I’m grateful for it.
- Dave Giannini
