If there’s one thing Star Wars enthusiasts are as fond of as lightsaber battles and debating who fired first, it’s ranking the films. It’s almost a rite of passage—a time-honored custom that goes back to VHS box sets and message boards. And let’s be honest, sharing your ranking is the fastest way to create some “friendly” mayhem in the comments.
But here’s the catch: there’s no such thing as the ultimate Star Wars ranking. There are only two types of lists—the ones that make sense to you, and the ones that make other people want to throw you into the Sarlacc pit.
Let’s talk about the two main ranking categories that continue to fuel Star Wars conversation and remain vigorous. First, you have the “best-made” list. This is where you tap into your inner movie critic and assume you’re judging at Cannes. It’s the list where The Empire Strikes Back almost always takes the top spot, the original trilogy is treated like holy text, and you’re expected to say things like, “These films changed the cinematic landscape.” Which, to be fair, they did. According to Dork Side of the Force, The Empire Strikes Back is “one of the greatest movies ever made and the pinnacle of George Lucas.” Nobody’s seriously arguing otherwise—at least not until someone’s courageous enough to put Rogue One in their top three.
And then, of course, there’s the “personal favorites” list. That’s where things get interesting. Maybe you grew up with the prequels, and Jar Jar Binks is funny to you. Maybe The Force Awakens helped you get through a tough time in life. Or maybe you just love the podrace in The Phantom Menace because it was the first Star Wars movie you ever saw on the big screen. One enthusiast captured it just right on Dork Side of the Force: “My favorite medium is animation, and. it was The Clone Wars theatrical film and the follow-up series that made me a Star Wars fan.” When you’re building your list based on personal experiences, nostalgia, and emotional connection, things can get delightfully unpredictable.
Now let’s be honest—the original trilogy is still the gold standard. A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi are the films that constructed the galaxy far, far away. One went so far as to argue, “A case can easily be made for Episode IV as not only the best Star Wars film, but the greatest sci-fi flick ever made.”
But that doesn’t necessarily equate to everyone identifying with them in the same way. Some fans begrudgingly acknowledge that they have a great deal of respect for the originals, but never actually enjoyed watching them. That’s the ironic thing about nostalgia—it strikes individuals differently.
Then there are the prequels. For years, they were the franchise’s favorite piñata. But now? A new generation of fans is defending them with real passion. The Phantom Menace has been rebranded from infamous to iconic. Watch it as an adult, and you may find yourself enjoying yourself. Yes, the film is sloppy. But it’s also audacious. George Lucas wasn’t playing it safe—he provided us with an imperfect Jedi Order, a kid villain, and Jar Jar Binks, the very first fully CGI supporting actor in a live-action movie. As Dork Side of the Force so succinctly states, “Jar Jar walked so Gollum, the Na’Vi, Caesar, and every other CGI character could run.” Whether you adore it or shudder through it, there’s no denying The Phantom Menace changed the game.
And then there are the sequels and standalones—something of a mixed bag, depending on your taste. Rogue One is usually lauded for being gritty and respectful of the original films, even if it does have its clumsiest moments. The Force Awakens? It revived Star Wars for a whole new generation. For others, it’s in their top five—not because it’s perfect, but because it came when they needed it most. One person noted that seeing The Force Awakens after losing a close friend helped them mend. That sort of emotional connection stays with you, whether you like the rest of the sequel trilogy or not.
And that’s the true truth behind every Star Wars list—it’s not only about the movies. It’s about you. It’s about where you were when you first watched them, who you were with, and what was happening in your life. That’s why no two lists are ever identical. And it’s why the argument will never, ever cease.
So go for it. Create your list. Argue in its defense with the wrath of a Sith if you must. Just be sure—your list is a story, and in this galaxy, that’s what Star Wars has always been all about. The Force (and the fervent arguments) will be with you, always.