Every Star Wars Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best (Including The Mandalorian & Grogu)

Ranking the Star Wars movies is surprisingly difficult. As one of the most popular and profitable franchises ever created, even the weaker entries still hold up and are enjoyable to watch again. While many people check review sites like Rotten Tomatoes, those aren’t always reliable. Early on, the prequel films were unfairly targeted by a coordinated effort to lower their scores, before this practice was widely known.

With a new Star Wars movie finally out, everyone wants to know how it stacks up against the rest. We’ve ranked all the Star Wars films, from the least to the most enjoyable, including The Mandalorian and Grogu.

12. The Rise of Skywalker

The final Star Wars sequel, The Rise of Skywalker, didn’t end the saga with excitement, but with disappointment. It suffered from numerous changes during production and is widely considered the weakest and least enjoyable film in the entire Star Wars franchise. While the series is known for unintentionally funny lines, the phrase “Somehow Palpatine returned” has become infamous. Surprisingly, this line was added late in the filmmaking process, during reshoots, in an attempt to make the plot clearer – which really highlights how chaotic the movie was.

Despite strong performances from Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Adam Driver, the film suffers from a disappointing script that relies too heavily on familiar elements. The unexpected return of Palpatine overshadows the character development, and the reveal of Rey’s lineage feels awkward following the events of The Last Jedi – even though Lucasfilm claims it doesn’t change previous storylines. Ultimately, the talented cast deserved a better conclusion to their Star Wars journey, and the film’s reception explains why it took Lucasfilm seven years to release another movie.

11. Attack of the Clones

One of the most cringeworthy moments in the Star Wars prequels is when Anakin Skywalker tries to flirt by saying “I hate sand.” While Attack of the Clones has some good ideas, the awkward dialogue really hurts the connection between Anakin and Padmé. It’s no surprise Star Wars hasn’t focused much on romance since those films.

While initially criticized, Attack of the Clones has gained appreciation over time, mostly thanks to expanded storytelling from Lucasfilm and Disney. Specifically, The Clone Wars series significantly enriched the relationship between Anakin and Padmé, effectively improving the film’s romantic storyline. The movie also continues to be celebrated for strong performances and the memorable duel between Yoda and Count Dooku.

10. The Phantom Menace

Like the other prequel films, The Phantom Menace is full of interesting concepts. It essentially tries to tell three different stories—a slave rescue on Tatooine, a Trade Federation invasion of Naboo, and political maneuvering on Coruscant—all at once. Each of these could have been a strong movie on its own, but combining them creates a disjointed plot. The film also doesn’t fully utilize some of its best characters; for example, Darth Maul appears very little, and his popularity has been largely restored by later storylines in the TV series.

Some fans suggest skipping The Phantom Menace when watching the Star Wars films, but that’s a mistake. While it’s an origin story for Anakin Skywalker, it’s much more importantly the story of how the Republic collapsed. The film actually ends with Palpatine in complete control of the galaxy. Although essential to the overall story, it isn’t one of George Lucas’s best movies.

9. Solo: A Star Wars Story

Despite being labeled a box office failure, Solo, starring Alden Ehrenreich as young Han Solo, didn’t truly deserve that reputation. The film faced an uphill battle from the start, originating from a weak concept – the idea that Han Solo received his last name while attempting to join the Empire, with the rest of the story built around that. Combined with ineffective marketing, a release during a controversial period for the Star Wars franchise, and internal conflicts, Solo was almost destined to disappoint at the box office.

While Solo wasn’t destined to be a top-tier Star Wars movie, it’s still an enjoyable watch. Alden Ehrenreich and Donald Glover shine as young Han Solo and Lando Calrissian, and the story—which involves a daring heist and the Crimson Dawn organization—is entertaining. However, issues during production prevented the film from being truly great, leaving it feeling somewhat disjointed.

8. Revenge of the Sith

Ranking Revenge of the Sith is tricky. It features some of the most memorable moments of the prequel trilogy, like the epic “Battle of the Heroes.” However, the film suffers from weak editing and spends too much time on the planet Kashyyk. Additionally, the character of Padmé is underwritten, as George Lucas prioritized Anakin’s storyline and cut scenes featuring her – scenes that have ironically become very important to the overall Star Wars story.

One reason Revenge of the Sith isn’t higher on this list is because it could have been so much more. The novelization by Matt Stover demonstrates this potential – it’s a fantastic take on the film and was even released before the movie itself. In fact, I read the book when it came out, and it took me years to fully appreciate Lucas’ Revenge of the Sith because the book is just that good.

7.The Mandalorian and Grogu

Okay, let’s be honest, The Mandalorian and Grogu feels less like a cohesive film and more like a stretched-out arc of the series. As a critic, I found myself noticing quite a few plot holes – seriously, they’re massive! The story just doesn’t flow; it feels like they took a few episodes of The Mandalorian and tried to force them into a movie format. And while I love the leads, even they don’t get much in the way of character development. Honestly, the villains are so forgettable they don’t even bother with names. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely a middle-of-the-road Star Wars experience.

Despite the criticisms, The Mandalorian and Grogu is genuinely enjoyable. This is evident in the difference between critics’ and audiences’ ratings on Rotten Tomatoes (64% versus 89% as of this writing). Grogu is a scene-stealer, captivating both children and viewers with his interactions, and the show includes a remarkably creative sequence – a whole scene built around making you connect with a puppet.

6. Return of the Jedi

Despite some uneven parts, Return of the Jedi manages to be a satisfying conclusion to the original Star Wars trilogy. The moment Darth Vader finds redemption is arguably the most powerful and important scene in the entire saga, perfectly wrapping up George Lucas’ story of the Skywalker family. Like many great Star Wars films, it’s tough to pinpoint exactly where it ranks among the best.

Despite its strengths, Return of the Jedi has some noticeable flaws. The story feels unoriginal – it essentially repeats the Death Star plot, reinforcing the series’ tendency to rely on massive weapons. While George Lucas aimed the films at children, some of those lighter elements clash with the more complex themes. Additionally, certain aspects haven’t held up well over time, particularly the way Leia’s character develops from a slave to a powerful warrior, a transformation largely driven by Carrie Fisher’s own performance and interpretation of the scenes.

5. The Force Awakens

The Force Awakens was a huge success, becoming one of the most memorable films of the 2000s and earning over $2 billion globally. However, despite its triumph, the film also inadvertently created some of the issues the Star Wars series faces today. Disney CEO Bob Iger explained in his memoir, The Ride of a Lifetime, that director J.J. Abrams’ focus on familiar elements was necessary to regain audiences. While Iger may have been right at the time, it’s now clear that relying too heavily on nostalgia wasn’t a sustainable strategy.

Even now, The Force Awakens holds up well for repeat viewings. The acting is fantastic, the nods to the original trilogy are genuinely moving (“Chewie, we’re home!”), and Kylo Ren makes a convincingly scary villain. While the film deliberately echoes A New Hope throughout, it mostly succeeds, and the fast-paced story keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end.

4. The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi is arguably the most controversial film in the recent Star Wars saga. Some fans believe it ruined the franchise, while others see it as a brilliant film that the studio regretted making because of fan reaction. Director Rian Johnson had a difficult job following up on the many unanswered questions from The Force Awakens, and he also needed to explain Luke Skywalker’s self-imposed exile while still centering the story on the new characters.

What makes The Last Jedi stand out is the ambitious scope of the challenges it presents. While the film dismantles the myth surrounding Luke Skywalker, it ultimately aims to rebuild and strengthen his character. However, the movie does include a few unbelievable side stories, and the unusual, slow-paced hyperspace chase prevents it from ranking even higher. This chase feels out of character for Lucas’s typical emphasis on fast-moving action.

3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

It’s surprising that Rogue One succeeded, given the challenges it faced. Tony Gilroy inherited a film in rough shape after Gareth Edwards’ departure, and his work transformed it into one of the most highly regarded Star Wars movies. As a prequel to A New Hope, Rogue One stands out for its gritty realism and honest depiction of the sacrifices made during the rebellion. Its powerful themes have become even more impactful thanks to related content released across different media, and especially through Gilroy’s series, Andor.

As a huge Star Wars fan, I was blown away by Rogue One. It really threw the usual formula out the window – the heroes actually die! But it’s strangely uplifting because, even with that huge sacrifice, they succeed. And that scene with Darth Vader? Absolutely incredible. Seeing him in that hallway, and realizing he doesn’t totally win, was a shock. It just proves that even the most powerful villain can’t defeat ordinary people who are brave enough to believe in something better.

2. A New Hope

There’s really only one word to describe A New Hope (the original Star Wars film): a masterpiece. It launched an entire franchise and is still incredibly enjoyable to watch. The film tells a classic story of an ordinary person – Luke Skywalker – who discovers extraordinary abilities and rises to become a galactic hero. With its unforgettable characters, mind-blowing ideas, and richly imagined world, the film instantly felt fully realized.

You know, when I think about A New Hope, it really delivers on its promise. It’s just a fundamentally hopeful movie, and it makes a strong statement that good will always win, even against overwhelming odds like the Empire’s technology and forces. That message still resonates today, which is amazing. Plus, the acting is incredible! It’s easily one of the most important sci-fi films ever made, and I’d say it definitely deserves its spot as my number two favorite.

1. The Empire Strikes Back

It’s rare for a sequel to be as good as, or even better than, the original film. The Empire Strikes Back is a notable exception. Directed by Irvin Kershner, it dramatically expanded the world of Star Wars, transforming it from a single movie into a sprawling, multi-generational story. A key moment – the reveal that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father – is a masterful example of storytelling that redefined the entire saga. In many ways, everything that followed stemmed from that one, iconic scene.

The Empire Strikes Back is a true masterpiece, continuing the saga with a perfectly paced story and a shockingly impactful ending – the villains actually succeed! The dialogue is clever and feels natural, often thanks to Harrison Ford improvising his lines, and the special effects still hold up beautifully. With its incredible themes and concepts, The Empire Strikes Back easily stands as the best Star Wars film to date, and it’s hard to imagine any sequel topping it.

2026-05-23 22:15