Every Star Wars Film Ranked (and How to Watch Each One)

On May 25, Star Wars will mark its 48th anniversary. While the franchise hasn’t graced theaters since 2019, two new Star Wars films are set to debut in May 2026 and May 2027, coinciding with its 50th anniversary.

So far, 12 Star Wars films have been released in theaters, excluding two made-for-TV Ewok movies. If you’re curious about those, they’re available to stream on Disney+.

The Watch With Us team recently gathered to rank all of the Star Wars films from least to most favorite. You can check out the outcomes of these discussions below.

There may be differing opinions regarding our rankings, as Star Wars fans are known for their passion for their favorite films. Nonetheless, we stand by our assessments.

12. ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (2008)

Star Wars owes a significant debt to The Clone Wars animated series for reviving the franchise and addressing several shortcomings of the prequel era. However, Star Wars: The Clone Wars feels incomplete when compared to the series that followed. This is the first and only animated Star Wars film to be screened in theaters. Fortunately, Lucasfilm has significantly improved its animation since then.

The film is notable mainly for introducing Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein), who is revealed as the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter). Unfortunately, the plot is lackluster, revolving around the Jedi saving Rotta (David Acord), Jabba the Hutt’s (Kevin Michael Richardson) son. Jabba’s uncle, Ziro (Corey Burton), embodies an offensive stereotype that deserves to be left unmentioned.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is available for streaming on Disney+.

11. ‘The Phantom Menace’ (1999)

After a 16-year hiatus, anticipation was at an all-time high for the first Star Wars movie. Unfortunately, The Phantom Menace fell short of expectations back in 1999. George Lucas’ decision to cast Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) as a literal child was perplexing and contributed to many cringe-worthy moments. The comic relief character, Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), was so poorly received that his role was significantly reduced in the two subsequent films.

Nonetheless, Episode 1 garnered praise for the casting of Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Natalie Portman as Queen Padme Amidala. While the podracing scene feels overly extended, the action sequences are quite impressive, especially the climactic lightsaber duel between Darth Maul (Ray Park) and the leading Jedi—arguably one of the franchise’s best action moments.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is available for streaming on Disney+.

10. ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

The drawback of The Rise of Skywalker lies in its mixed success. If it hadn’t been hurried to theaters just two years after the previous installment, it might have provided a more fitting conclusion to the Skywalker Saga. Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) is compelling as a villain, yet the film’s failure to adequately explain his resurrection feeds ongoing conversation and memes to this day.

Daisy Ridley‘s Rey receives much of the spotlight, and for the first time in the sequel trilogy, she interacts with both Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) for a substantial part of the film. Although the foundation for a grand finale is present, the movie never quite realizes its potential.

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker is available for streaming on Disney+.

9. ‘Attack of the Clones’ (2002)

George Lucas may be talented, but Attack of the Clones demonstrates that romance isn’t his strong suit. The dialogue between Padmé and the older Anakin (Hayden Christensen) is so stilted that it’s hard to believe these two could ever fall in love. Luckily, Christensen and Portman come alive in their action scenes.

Although Attack of the Clones improves upon The Phantom Menace, late Christopher Lee brings a credible menace as Count Dooku, the only person to have defeated both Obi-Wan and Anakin simultaneously. The heightened action and visual spectacle make it much more enjoyable than its predecessor.

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones is available for streaming on Disney+.

8. ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ (2018)

This film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, does not deserve its poor reputation. Despite a tumultuous production and a chilly reception that resulted in a disappointing $393 million worldwide—making it the lowest-grossing live-action Star Wars movie—it’s surprisingly enjoyable as a standalone experience. Alden Ehrenreich may not be Harrison Ford, but he effectively portrays young Han Solo.

However, Ehrenreich’s performance is outshone by his co-stars, including Donald Glover as the charming Lando, Emilia Clarke as the mysterious Qi’ra, and Woody Harrelson as Han’s hesitant mentor, Tobias Beckett. While the film has its flaws, it certainly deserved a better fate.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is available for streaming on Disney+.

7. ‘Revenge of the Sith’ (2005)

As evidenced by its impressive box office performance earlier this year, Revenge of the Sith is the most favored film in the prequel trilogy. The story of Obi-Wan and Anakin was destined for tragedy, culminating in one of the franchise’s lengthiest lightsaber duels. While the conclusion to that duel could be seen as somewhat absurd, the conflict leading up to it is nothing short of spectacular.

Ian McDiarmid revels in playing Palpatine, who takes total control of the Republic and transforms it into his Empire. The film’s somber tone resonates as Palpatine’s scheme unfolds, marking it as one of the darkest Star Wars films, leaving a rather bleak conclusion.

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is available for streaming on Disney+.

6. ‘The Force Awakens’ (2015)

Director J.J. Abrams may have closely followed the original Star Wars formula in The Force Awakens, but his strong casting choices, such as Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac, added considerable appeal. Harrison Ford’s return as Han Solo resonated deeply, showcasing a distressed father trying to mend his shattered family.

While the newly designed Stormtroopers are sleek and stylish, the First Order comes across as a tired repeat of the Empire. Adam Driver portrays Kylo Ren—who is almost too melodramatic as a Darth Vader admirer desperate to emulate his legacy.

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens is available for streaming on Disney+.

5. ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017)

This may be the most divisive entry on our list, as The Last Jedi faced vehement backlash from some fans. Criticism arose mainly from its portrayal of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as a disenchanted old hermit who shuns Rey, his natural successor. This wasn’t the fate fans expected for a beloved hero from the original trilogy, nor did it adhere to the legendary path forged in the now non-canonical Expanded Universe.

Issues with The Last Jedi also include the confusing chase between the Resistance and the First Order as well as the storyline on the casino planet Canto Bight. However, director Rian Johnson produced a visually stunning film with notable standout moments, particularly when lightspeed is weaponized. Johnson dared to advance the narrative further than most sequels would, although critics argue that Abrams faltered in concluding the tale in Episode IX.

Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi is available for streaming on Disney+.

4. ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (2016)

No other Star Wars film has achieved the authentic look and feel of the original quite like Rogue One. Director Gareth Edwards and his creative team excelled in bringing this narrative to life, despite the need for extensive reshoots. This film successfully recaptures the menace of Darth Vader—especially in his final scene.

Felicity Jones plays Jyn Erso, a young woman who isn’t part of the Rebel Alliance but gets recruited due to her father Galen Erso’s (Mads Mikkelsen) connection to the Death Star. Jyn embarks on a mission with Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) to secure an Imperial defector, Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed). Joined by Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen), this group of misfits undertakes a perilous mission to steal the Death Star plans. The film impressively ensures the audience connects with these characters, despite their temporary nature.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is available for streaming on Disney+.

3. ‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983)

Return of the Jedi may not often be crowned the best Star Wars movie, yet certain scenes rank among the franchise’s finest. The extended sequence at Jabba the Hutt’s palace and subsequent sail barge escapade plays like a mini-movie. Carrie Fisher also became an iconic figure in cinema when she donned her famous metal bikini, although she humorously noted that her favorite moment was choking Jabba herself.

While it may seem repetitive for Lucas to feature a second Death Star, the groundbreaking special effects of 1983 surpassed those of 1977. Meanwhile, Luke’s climactic face-off with Darth Vader remains unforgettable, especially as he grapples with the risk of following in Vader’s footsteps.

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is available for streaming on Disney+.

2. ‘Star Wars’ (1977)

As it approaches its 50th anniversary, Star Wars retains a timeless quality. It redefined the blockbuster film genre, leaving a lasting impact on all subsequent space operas. The movie also introduced audiences to the legendary villain, Darth Vader, portrayed by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones.

The plot hinges on sheer coincidence as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) transitions from a humble farm boy to the potential savior of the galaxy. Yet, who can complain about classic storytelling tropes when executed so effectively? Ford and Fisher delivered breakout performances as Han Solo and Princess Leia, respectively. Even the droids R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) captivated audiences. Star Wars wasn’t simply ahead of its time; it arrived precisely when it was needed, forever altering cinematic history.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope is available for streaming on Disney+.

1. ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)

Most Star Wars rankings place The Empire Strikes Back at the top, and it’s hard to dispute this sentiment—it is arguably a superior film to its predecessor and all its sequels. The performances are more refined, and the tone is darker as the Empire closes in on the Rebels for a tense climax within the first hour. Following this, Han and Leia race against the Empire while Luke trains to become a Jedi.

Yoda, as brought to life by Frank Oz, became a pop-culture phenomena with his unique speech patterns and wise guidance for Luke. Oz, having honed his craft with Jim Henson’s Muppets, created an incredibly convincing puppet that added depth to Luke’s journey. Yoda’s presence lent gravity to Luke’s character arc, especially with his suggestion that Luke might not be the last hope for the Jedi.

For those unfamiliar, we won’t spoil one of cinema’s greatest surprises. Suffice to say, the emotionally charged battle that unfolds late in this installment is unparalleled. No other Star Wars film has ever outdone it.

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is available for streaming on Disney+.