Let’s be honest—ranking Star Wars movies is the cinematic equivalent of navigating an asteroid field: thrilling, chaotic, and bound to stir up strong opinions. Whether you’re a die-hard Jedi with a closet full of lightsabers or just here for Baby Yoda, every fan has a list. So in the great tradition of May the 4th discussions and intergalactic hot takes, here’s our ultimate ordering of all 12 Star Wars theatrical entries—from those that struggled to make the hyperspace jump to those that changed pop culture forever.
12. The Last Jedi (2017)
Rian Johnson’s contribution to the sequel trilogy is the saga’s most divisive film. Some fans appreciate its daring storytelling and its visual splendor, while others maintain that it steered too far from the heart of Star Wars. As Nerdtropolis sought to summarize, Johnson “pushed the saga in a bold new direction,” but its handling of legacy characters ignites hot debates. Love it or hate it, it left an unmistakable mark.
11. The Clone Wars (2008)
More pilot episode than actual film, this animated movie introduced people to Ahsoka Tano and kick-started the popular TV show. But as a theatrical release, it was disappointing and incomplete. Nevertheless, for many—such as fans at Dork Side of the Force—this movie was the start of an ongoing Star Wars journey.
10. Attack of the Clones (2002)
The middle book of the prequels has some great action scenes—hi, Geonosis battle—but trips over clunky lines and a romance that’s memes, not magic. As BuzzFeed’s Jeremy Hayes pointed out, “Episode II has its moments, but ultimately, is the weakest of the Skywalker Saga.” At least we have seismic charges and Obi-Wan’s magnificent mullet.
9. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
J.J. Abrams wrapped up the Skywalker saga with a movie that attempted to do all things—and possibly did too many. Visually stunning but plot-wise hasty, it found it difficult to balance fan expectations and past narratives. Deadline put it bluntly: “You don’t retcon, you have to go with it.” A polarizing finale to a cherished saga.
8. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Troubled by production issues and beset by fan exhaustion, Solo never really caught its audience, but it’s a heck of a lot better than it’s given credit for. Alden Ehrenreich is a solid take on Han Solo, and Donald Glover swipes scenes as Lando. It’s a lighthearted space caper with plenty of charm, and according to Deadline, “one of the best” of the group that deserved a better welcome.
7. The Phantom Menace (1999)
From podracing to Darth Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber, Episode I brought the Star Wars universe to a new generation with cutting-edge visuals and lore. While trade skirmishes and Jar Jar Binks were criticized, The Phantom Menace was Lucas going for the fences—and changing the art of blockbuster cinema in the process. Dork Side of the Force credited it with its ambition and lasting influence on the franchise.
6. The Force Awakens (2015)
J.J. Abrams revitalized the Star Wars phenomenon with a retro, high-octane retread that brought in Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren. Though it borrowed heavily from A New Hope’s template, it recaptured the sense of adventure and reminded everyone that Star Wars was a cultural behemoth. For so many fans, the film’s release was a personal milestone, and that emotional baggage continues to linger.
5. Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Dark, tragic, and operatic, Episode III pulls the emotional punch that makes Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. With ultra-violent lightsaber battles, epic score, and intergalactic treachery, this is the prequel trilogy at its best. Deadline even puts it ahead of Return of the Jedi for mythic storytelling and tragic ending.
4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
A hard-hitting, realistic war movie standing out amidst a galaxy teeming with Force-wielders and royal bloodlines, Rogue One revolutionized what a Star Wars spinoff would look like. Its character-driven performances and breathtaking conclusion—from that immortal Darth Vader hallway scene to the climactic Rebel Alliance attack on the Death Star—made it an instant classic. As Nerdtropolis wrote, it gave us “one of the best Darth Vader scenes ever.”
3. Return of the Jedi (1983)
The original trilogy’s conclusion provided redemption, closure, and one of the greatest space battles in film history. The Ewoks continue to be polarizing, but the emotional center of the film—Luke battling Vader and the Emperor—is Star Wars at its finest. It concluded a saga that defined an era with heart, spectacle, and optimism.
2. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Usually credited as the best sequel ever made, Empire heightened the emotional stakes, brought us immortal lines (“I am your father”), and made Star Wars go from blockbuster entertainment to cinematic legend. Dork Side of the Force says it is “the best-made Star Wars movie. No questions.” Its dark tone and character development set the gold standard for sci-fi storytelling.
1. A New Hope (1977)
The one that began it all. George Lucas’s space epic revolutionized film, bringing us lightsabers, the Force, and a set of characters that would become iconic. As Nerdtropolis says, this is “the one that started it all.” Without it, there would be no galaxy far, far away to rank to begin with.
No matter if you root for the classic trilogy, defend the prequels, or discovered new favorites in the Disney era, Star Wars is something unique to each one of us. That’s the charm of this epic—it’s always changing, always inspiring, and always up for debate. Go ahead, rerank the list. Just remember: the Force will be with you, always.