George Lucas created Star Wars, the American epic space opera multimedia franchise, in 1977. From its beginning with an eponymous film in 1977, the franchise quickly gained popularity to become a global pop-culture phenomenon. Star Wars has a cult fan following. And the only thing they love more than Star Wars is the debate that which movies of the franchise are the best.
Here we contribute to the debate by giving out a well-surveyed list of star movies, ranking them from worst to best.
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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Year: 2019
Director: JJ Abrams
Estimated Budget: $275,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $1,074,149,279
After four decades of eight installments, The Rise of Skywalker was expected to bring the Saga to a satisfying conclusion. However, instead of a bang-out climax, the entire thing ended in quite a confusing manner.
Simply put, the film didn’t pan out as well as expected. The unearned moments, mind-twisting plot twists, and inconsequential characters made the Saga more complicated for even the pro fans to understand.
Yet the major challenge in watching Episode IX is the noncommittal reference to the events of The Last Jedi. It resulted in the plot bending over backward rather than providing viewers with a more fitting conclusion.
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Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Year: 2002
Director: George Lucas
Estimated Budget: $115,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $653,779,970
While Attack of the Clones sounds exciting to ears, it couldn’t ignite much enthusiasm in the viewers. Obi-Wan Kenobi playing Jedi detective and investigating the Separatist movement is the movie’s highlight. Not to forget the mysterious Count Dooku and some amazing action scenes. The chase through Coruscant, the wizard duel with the frog-hopping Master Yoda, and the Bounty Hunter battle on Kamino were action-packed moments of the movie.
Unfortunately, the rest of the movie is slowed down with wooden dialogues, uneven pacing, and “over-dramatic” moments that end up in unintentionally funny scenes. For example, Anakin and Padme’s slow romance should have been depicted as a relationship worth sacrificing the galaxy for. Instead, it ended up making the viewers stick their heads in the sand. However, Episode II showed something that fans can recall more fondly for the things fitting for the greater Star Wars canon.
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Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Year: 1999
Director: George Lucas
Estimated Budget: $115,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $1,027,082,707
Fans love The Phantom Menace for bringing the franchise back to the masses and introducing an entirely new generation to the galaxy saga. However, it couldn’t come out as a strong beginning to the other trilogy installments, The Force Awakens or A New Hope. The movie is credited for introducing franchise staples, including the Jedi Order and the Coruscant.
But the dull political plot, ill-conceived characters, and clunky narrative of the movie soon doused the viewers’ engagement.
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Solo: A Star Wars Story
Year: 2018
Director: Ron Howard
Estimated Budget: $275,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $392,924,807
Rogue One offered hope for “A Star Wars Story.” Still, Lucasfilm would quickly drop the anthology aspect after poor reception to its second entry Solo. While the previous movies introduced new characters and allowed fan-favorite cameos, Solo cast Alden Ehrenreich to play Han Solo and asked audiences to support it. Unfortunately, they didn’t.
Ehrenreich’s honest take on the galaxy’s most shabby nerf-herder was good, drawing inspiration from AC Crispin novels of the legends period. However, the movie was lacking in inspiration and had some ho-hum moments. Solo felt that it was trying to answer many questions that no one asked and that the ones that were answered would be better left unanswered.
As with every Star Wars movie, there are elements that viewers enjoy in the film. But ultimately, Solo was a one-time-watch kind of Star Wars story.
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Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Year: 2005
Director: George Lucas
Estimated Budget: $113,000,000 (estimated)
Worldwide Gross: $868,390,560
Revenge of the Sith has many of the same flaws as the prequels, including goofy dialogue and pacing issues. It also relies too heavily on CGI. However, it succeeds in making the audience feel something. As we witness the tragic events that changed the fates of the galaxy, the execution of Order 66 adds dramatic weight to the Clone Wars’ conclusion. It is heartbreaking every time we watch Master Yoda clutching his tiny frog heart.
Although Episode III has some remarkable strengths, fans undermined them due to its weaknesses. Anakin’s downfall was not convincing, mainly due to the snoozefest romance with Padme. Palpatine’s treachery was blatantly obvious, but The Jedi Orders discovered it very late, appearing incompetent to the viewers. Ewan McGregor does a great job portraying Obi-Wan’s heartbreak in his fiery duel against Anakin. But one performance doesn’t completely wash away the taste of all the others. All things said, we have to give Revenge of the Sith credit for being the strongest prequel trilogy. This is mainly due to the memorable moments of the movie.
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Year: 2015
Director: JJ Abrams
Estimated Budget: $245,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $2,069,521,700
The Force Awakens was Disney’s first move to rekindle the original trilogy’s magic. It succeeded, but maybe a bit too much. Many criticize The Force Awakens for borrowing too much from A New Hope. However, the film still uses familiar elements-a Chosen One, an army of space fascists, and a planet serving as a large laser cannon foundation for building something new.
Episode VII is the greatest addition to the series, introducing new planets, aliens, and new lightsaber designs. The film’s heroes Rey and Finn, Poe, and BB-8, are what give it its charm. In addition, the mysterious relationship that Kylo Ren has with Supreme Leader Snoke gives a dark element to the movie. Although you may doubt the plot, the film achieved its ultimate goal: Star Wars was fun and exciting again.
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Year: 2016
Director: Gareth Edwards
Estimated Budget: $200,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $1,058,682,142
Rogue One shows that Star Wars don’t have to revolve around the Skywalker family drama and Jedi Order to be successful. Jyn Erso and her band of rebels made a lasting impression before they met a noble end. Their original plan to steal the Death Star was an engaging adventure that kept the audience engaged from beginning to end. It also marked a tone-shift for Star Wars-one that truly put the “war” in Star Wars.
Reportedly, there were many creative problems behind the scenes, which probably came to viewers’ notice. Fortunately, Rogue One manages to overcome these flaws and deliver one of the most memorable third acts in a franchise full of amazing third-act fights. Darth Vader is eviler than ever in the final moments.
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Year: 2017
Director: Rian Johnson
Estimated Budget: $317,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $1,332,698,830
Rian Johnson, the Last Jedi’s sole credit writer and director, made a unique contribution to the galaxy that very few people in Star Wars ever get to try. The result was one of the best and most highly debated Star Wars films since the original trilogy.
Johnson’s movements of JJ Abrams’ pieces in play challenged many mythological pillars, such as Luke’s heroic reputation and the Chosen One archetype. However, it has a sloppy espionage subplot and a ticking time dilemma that could be solved with little communication. Nevertheless, the Last Jedi boasts stunning action sequences, and an especially rich, emotional storyline between Luke Skywalker and Rey, making the movie one of the best in the franchise.
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Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Year: 1983
Director: Richard Marquand
Estimated Budget: $32,500,000
Worldwide Gross: $475,106,177
After taking fans to a major cliffhanger in Episode V, Return of the Jedi had to deliver a satisfying sequel and a fitting ending for our beloved heroes and villains, which it did.
There’s the self-contained rescue mission in which two robots and a wizard attempt to steal a piece of wall art from a crime lord’s palace. There’s the thrilling speeder bike chase through a deadly forest. Sure, there are some dubious parts. The revelation that Luke is Leia’s brother despite having previously smooched. Then there are the Ewoks, who appear to be an adorable but murderous gang of tree bears playing drums on their enemies’ skulls.
It all results in one of the best and most pivotal lightsaber battles in the series, between sone and father and overseen by a raged Emperor attempting to tear them apart. Even though he is the one who unites them. Yes, it’s campy, but underneath it, all are some serious conflicts and ultimately bittersweet farewells to some of cinema’s most iconic characters.
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Star Wars: A New Hope
Year: 1977
Director: George Lucas
Estimated Budget: $11,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $775,398,007
A New Hope is a moving, captivating, and endlessly rewatchable film. In fact, it is the one that got it all started. George Lucas began his epic sci-fi story in the middle of a galaxy where the evil Empire and the hero Jedi Knights have long since vanquished.
A New Hope combines elements from sci-fi and fantasy with Western, Samurai, and war films. It also features pioneering visual effects that helped to create blockbusters today. This film is as visual as it is narrative. It is also accompanied by John Williams’ iconic score. Yet, Episode IV is only the second most watched movie, number one being The Empire strikes back.
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Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Year: 1980
Director: Irvin Kershner
Estimated Budget: $18,000,000
Worldwide Gross: $538,375,067
Star Wars Empire Strikes Back is still the best-selling movie. Empire grows in a thrilling, surprisingly dark way after A New Hope planted the seeds. As a relentless Darth Vader hunts the heroes of the Rebel Alliance, we’re treated to Han and Leia’s screwball romance, as well as Luke’s training under the crazy jolly Jedi-Master Yoda. Empire helps us to understand the Force as more than a telekinetic push or trick of the mind. Instead, it is a spiritual power that connects all of life.
Episode V expands the Star Wars universe in many ways. New planets, aliens, Imperial walkers, and bounty hunters are all included. All this while telling an exciting multi-layered story. The stakes of this story are not based on the galaxy’s fate or a planet-destroying weapon. Instead, they hinge on personal conflicts like the willingness of their characters to sacrifice for the greater good.
