Star Wars Ranking Review
Star Wars. Everyone loves it, or has at least heard of it, as it’s one of the highest grossing film franchises ever. I love Star Wars, and I have since elementary school. The story line is amazing and all the characters George Lucas created are unique and intricate; however. there are some movies in the franchise I don’t enjoy or even like. With that said, I’m going to show you my least favorite and my favorite Star Wars movies. For those of you who haven’t seen Star Wars, definitely put it on your bucket list of movies to watch. (Please don’t let my opinions make you not want to watch the movies, everyone likes different things.)
- Starting with my least favorite, The Rise of Skywalker. I do not like this movie. My brother saw it in theaters and didn’t like it, so I never went and saw it with my family like with other Star Wars movies. I watched it for the first time when it came onto Disney Plus. I went into it with an open mind, hoping it would be good, but I really did not like it. In my opinion, the ending was bad and it wasn’t a good ending for such an amazing movie franchise. Everyone hyped it up, saying it was great, but I don’t think it’s worth all the hype. It also didn’t feel very cohesive to the other movies in the sequel trilogy, and the name doesn’t fit the movie well either. Some of the characters aren’t bad, but I don’t like Rey, even though she’s the main character. I’ll get more into that later though.
- Next up, we have The Last Jedi. I don’t have much to say about this movie other than I don’t like it, but it’s better than Rise of Skywalker. Yet again, I don’t think the name suits the movie. There were some funny moments, I guess, but overall I don’t think it’s very good. While Rise of Skywalker was bad because of its story, The Last Jedi was bad because it isn’t very memorable, I have a hard time remembering the movie. I can tell you the general plot, but with other Star Wars movies, I know lots of facts and can go into extensive detail about the film. Though I will say, I don’t like the story of this movie either. The best way to describe this movie is that it’s about Rey learning how to be a Jedi, but she is so overpowered that she doesn’t need to learn much. I would say that Poe is probably the only new sequel character that I actively like. The Last Jedi isn’t as bad as Rise of Skywalker (in my opinion), but it’s still pretty bad.
- I have lots of opinions on my next movie, which is The Force Awakens. I will start off saying that when I first watched The Force Awakens, I actually enjoyed it. Not as much as the originals or the prequels, but still I liked it. For me, it got ruined by the other sequel movies, partly because t’s so incohesive. The Force Awakens was directed/co-written by JJ Abrams, but The Last Jedi was directed/written by Rian Johnson. Then, for Rise of Skywalker, Disney brought JJ Abrams back. This made the movies not mix very well together. Another thing that turned me away was Rey being incredibly overpowered, and not really being the strong female lead that Disney made her out to be. It’s like Disney was too caught up on making her a girl that they didn’t try to make her anything special except a girl who is force sensitive. I would say that The Force Awakens is the best sequel by far, but I still don’t like it that much.
- Solo. The story of Han Solo. Han Solo is one of my favorite characters, but I don’t love his movie. The movie wasn’t bad, I actually think it’s a good movie, but I don’t think it was a good Star Wars film, and it didn’t serve Han any justice. I enjoyed one of the new characters, Qi’ra. She is a strong female lead and is a great character. I can’t forget to mention Paul Bettany’s character, because Paul Bettany is a great actor, and his character in the film is great too. It was interesting to see how Han and Chewbacca met, but I did have a problem with Chewie in this movie. Chewie is in Revenge of the Sith, and is definitely not a monster. He is a very nice Wookie who helps Yoda, but when he’s in Solo, he’s portrayed as a monster who tears people’s arms off. Overall, it’s not a bad movie.
- Now it’s time for the most iconic Star Wars movie, A New Hope. I feel like I have to apologize for having it this low. I absolutely love this movie with all of my heart, but I still prefer the others over this one. That just shows how much I love the others, because A New Hope is so amazing. This movie is so iconic and fantastic. It’s the first one ever made, though it is technically episode four (six chronology). We get to learn about Luke, Leia, Obi-Wan (my personal favorite character), Han Solo, Darth Vader, and so many more characters. George Lucas was an absolute genius for coming up with this movie. The fact that it gave us 10 more movies plus TV shows, and counting, is extraordinary.
- My 6th favorite Star Wars movie is The Phantom Menace, the first movie in the prequel trilogy. The Phantom Menace does get a lot of backlash, but personally, I love it. I think it’s the most important Star Wars film (but not the best). If we didn’t get this movie, we wouldn’t know Darth Vader’s backstory, or many other important details, but I’m not gonna spoil anything. This is my least favorite of the prequels, but that’s saying I don’t love it. This next comment might cause some controversy, but I love Jar Jar Binks. Star Wars fans can agree that he is probably one the most hated character in all of the movies. He can be kind of annoying at times, and that puts it lightly, but I do think he’s a funny character. Now, I can’t go the whole time without talking about the memes. The Phantom Menace and just the prequels in general have some amazing memes. The final thing to talk about is Obi-Wan Kenobi. There. He’s been talked about. Like I said before, Obi-Wan is my favorite character, so I can’t not mention him.
- Top 5, here we go! The Empire Strikes Back is in 5th place. I never liked Empire Strikes Back as much as I do now. I preferred Phantom Menace and A New Hope over it, but it has grown on me. We really start to see Han and Leia’s relationship come alive, and I didn’t mention this earlier, but Han and Leia are technically haters to lovers, so what’s not to love about them, right? The movie starts out on an ice planet called Hoth and later in the movie, Luke, along with R2-D2, go and visit Yoda. Luke starts training to be a Jedi, and Han and Leia end up on the planet that Lando Calrissian lives on. We get some fantastic fight scenes, as well as some amazing chemistry between different characters. Empire Strikes Back is overall just such a great movie.
- Some of you might be surprised to see Rogue One as number 4, considering that the other Disney-made Star Wars films are my least favorites, but I absolutely love Rogue One. First of all, the main character, Jyn Erso, is a very strong female character, or just a strong character in general, which I love. Unlike Rey, it seems like Disney focused on making a strong character, instead of a strong female, which in my opinion as you saw above, I don’t think it went well with Rey. Rogue One ends exactly at the beginning of A New Hope. The lining up of the movies actually went really well, and they feel very cohesive. We have some very funny lines, specifically from one of the main characters, a droid, K-2SO. He is definitely my favorite character in this movie. Overall, Rogue One is an amazing movie with great characters, and if you haven’t seen it, definitely watch it.
- We’re in the top 3 people! In 3rd place we have Attack of the Clones. This movie is absolute meme gold, same with both other prequel movies. This is the movie where the story starts to pick up and get more exciting. Attack of the Clones takes place 10 years after the first movie. Anakin Skywalker is now seen as a moody 19 year old, and the Padawan apprentice of Obi-Wan Kenobi. One of my favorite scenes from Star Wars is in this movie is when Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padmé are stuck on the planet Geonosis. We get a new villain in this movie, Count Dooku and by this point, Anakin is a great Jedi, so we get some epic fight scenes between characters. Attack of the Clones may not be a favorite in the Star Wars community, but it is definitely one of my favorites.
- Revenge of the Sith is the 3rd movie chronology and my 2nd favorite movie. For a long time, Revenge of the Sith and Attack of the Clones were in opposite spots on my list, but making this list made me reconsider it. I know that I have already mentioned this, but the memes. Revenge of the Sith gave us some extremely memeable scenes, not to mention the quotes. There are many scenes in this movie that held all the lines for while watching the movie, specifically the lava fight scene. Revenge of the Sith takes place 3 years after Attack of the Clones. Anakin is no longer a Padawan, but a Jedi Knight, and Obi-Wan is now a Jedi Master. I would 100% say that Revenge of the Sith is the best prequel movie, though others might say different. Between the character chemistry, the quotes, the memes, and just everything about this movie, I love it so much.
- Finally, at number one, we have Return of the Jedi. I love this movie so much, but here’s the thing. I probably like Revenge of the Sith and Attack of the Clones more. The only reason that Return of the Jedi is my favorite is because it’s so nostalgic for me. It was my favorite from the moment I watched it in elementary school, but I can’t even tell you why. Maybe it’s the Ewoks, maybe it’s because Han Solo used to be my favorite character (it’s Obi Wan now, as I have said previously). Whatever it was, something about this movie and made me love Star Wars even more than I already did. Can we get a shout-out for the Ewoks, because who doesn’t love them? Although sadly, when LucasFilm updated the originals in the 90’s, one amazing part was taken out. The Yub Nub song, sung by the Ewoks, at the ending celebration, was removed. I would highly recommend looking it up on YouTube and giving it a listen. Return of the Jedi is just such an amazing movie and it will probably always be my favorite.
This was such a fun article to make, and I am very sorry if I offended anyone with my order. I want to know your thoughts and opinions on Star Wars. Comment below your order for the movies and we can have a discussion (keep it friendly and school appropriate). I also would love to do more of these types of ranking articles, so give me some suggestions on movies or book series’ or TV series’ I should rank. I would also love to go into more detail on why I dislike the sequels so much, so if people would like to read that, maybe I would write an article dedicated to the topic.
Obi Will Kenobi • Mar 29, 2021 at 11:50 am
Great review! I’m a HUGE Star Wars fan, my favorite would have to be Empire strikes back.
“Well Hello There” -Obi Wan • Mar 21, 2021 at 2:23 pm
I know lots of people didn’t like Pre-trilogy, but to be honest I like all Star Wars movies (I’m a big Star Wars fan) but I would also have to say that some movies aren’t the best either. The Ewoks are like one of the cutest things ever. They look like little teddy bears! If only I could hug them….. I like the fact that the Mandalorian is like the “Pre-trilogy” to the final 4 or 3 movies to see what in the world Luke was up to because we all have to admit that there were some points were he was a little…. oh I don’t know, “coo-coo” like, dude, who jumps off a small “Sand-ship” in the middle of a desert just to get your lightsaber back?! You literally put your life at risk! That doesn’t matter, my point is that the Mandalorian was a nice touch to the Star Wars saga.
Liam • Mar 19, 2021 at 9:38 am
This is my rankings for the movies 11 the empire strikes back because it was just so bland and unpolished 10 the last Jedi because it is just a patched up the empire strikes back 9 the phantom menace because obi wan darth maul and ankin as well as padme are the only memrole with darth maul being the most remembered and every one else is ether forgotten are remembered in a different move 8 roge one sorry about this for anyone who disagrees with is a lot but roge one has such a weird story with the only thing I remember are the shadow troopers and the one quote “I am one with the force and it is one with me” 8 Solo this move was just um poorly written but it was nice to see Han Solo and lando again until my next ranking 7 the rise of skywalker which I feel like gave justice to the last Jedi and that is what it was ment to do but you did see the character Kyle ren really separate himself from Vader but it is not as good as 6 the force awakens which I like for the same reasons as you only this movie gave Finn character that he lacks in the other two 5 the attack of the clones which is good because of all the Action in it 4 a new hope what to say bout this um it is the original and is good but not as good as two refers of the Jedi is ver good with a perfect mix of character and action 1 the revenge of the sixth it opens up great the story is well written but could byias that my favrret character general greaives is in there
Lucas Robison • Mar 19, 2021 at 9:17 am
I actually liked the rise of Skywalker. I thought it was pretty good, but not the best. I do agree that revenge of the Sith was really good! I also agree that the prequel movies, ESPECIALLY the phantom menace gets a TON of hate, but I don’t really think they are that bad. My favorite is either the return of the Jedi, or the last Jedi. A new hope was ok in my opinion, but I feel like it could’ve been a bit better. Great review though! I really enjoyed reading it!
My the force be with you
Liam • Mar 19, 2021 at 8:59 am
I agree with some like the end for 9 was the ending for 6 but 9:was good but ray way to op and the phantom menace was good but the people who made did kind of leave some parts unpolished plus I have too disagree on number 5 because there was a lot of unpolished parts that 6 made up for and no mention of klyo ren who I will admit did start a Vader rip off but he became his own character at the end especially in 9 however solo was really good and I disagree with we’re you put it
Obi-Wan Bettini • Mar 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm
For most people, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment in their lives when their childhood was officially over and destroyed. Sometimes, it is when they learn that Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy is not real. Other times, it is when they learn that their hero is not indeed super, but instead is flawed just like the rest of us. For me, I can recall the tragic moment like it was yesterday…
There I was, in minute 10 of what felt like a 2-hour pod race. What the heck is a “pod race” anyway? I mean, I know that some small and unimpressive child had just stated that “THIS is pod racing!” but the appeal of it was still lost on me. Somewhere, on that journey from Tatooine, a place that had once been full of wonder and excitement, to Coruscant, and through the depths of the seas of Naboo, the last of my childhood joy was slowly laid to rest, much like that one Ewok in Return of the Jedi who sadly perishes after an errant AT-AT blast.
As if this was not bad enough already, to have such an experience curated by and commentated upon by none other than Jar Jar Binks, is beyond the pale. It’s as if George Lucas was hoping to create a character that made the great dictators of history seem like pretty decent guys. “While his speeches were short, at least Stalin never uttered such statements as ‘Me-sa sending you to Siberia,'” you could almost Lucas saying.
However, I realize that this article is about ranking the movies. There is much lively debate about where they all fall, but one fact is indisputable: regardless of what Disney Studios produces in the future, Phantom Menace will remain squarely at the bottom. I believe that even the reviled Jar Jar was right on this one when he said, “Count me outta dis one.” Count me out indeed.
Alex Peterson • Mar 18, 2021 at 12:04 pm
I can disagree on some of the places you put them in, but I understand that was your opinion, but I can agree that return of the Jedi is a good movie.
Jameson Bender • Mar 18, 2021 at 11:58 am
Revenge of the Sith was amazing with the build up and everything. It showed how Anakin was blinded by rage and why padawans are taken in at a young age unlike Anakin who grow too attached to the stuff he loves spelling the demise of the Jedi. The fight scenes were amazing showing us what a true battle would look like from trained Jedi. I loved the way the two Jedi moved because they knew each other really well, they were each reading and predicting each other moves and blocking and parrying while spinning around as if it was a elegant dance as the camera spun around with lava rising and leaping out towards them as the blue contrast of the light sabers bounced off of each other making a scene you will never forget.
Logan • Mar 18, 2021 at 11:55 am
AGREED! I agree the in ep. 9’s ending sucks. It totally ruins the 6th movie because basically it said the final battle of ep. 6 was for nothing. Do think that a reason why you don’t really like the prequels is because of Yoda because he seems less funny in that movie, when he gave a little more soul to ep. 6. My favorite would have is actually a tie between attack of the clones and return of the Jedi, because each not only had 2 of my favorite characters (boba fett, and jango fett) but also because no. 2 has an incredible story line with the battle of geonosis, and the fact that it has a lot more characters and that it makes you think a little. It also takes place in a simpler time where instead of fighting for the crown they were defending it. I like return of the Jedi because I mean how can you not like that movie it had a sad scene of Yoda dying, it had a fight between father and son, it put you on the edge of your seat. And yeah that is my comment.
Giada • Mar 18, 2021 at 11:28 am
I love Star Wars! And I would also put The Return Of The Jedi in either 1st or 2nd place! Thanks! Great article