The Star Wars Skywalker saga has concluded after 42 years… or has it? Well, for the foreseeable future, it certainly has. Disney-produced spin-off films and TV shows are on the way (e.g. The Mandalorian), but we have a little while to wait. Now is therefore as good a time as any to reflect on all of the Star Wars films to date and rank them accordingly. Long-running sci-fi and fantasy franchises like Star Wars and Doctor Who are like football for nerds, so expressing preferences for certain Star Wars films (or indeed Doctor Who episodes) over others can even cause one to lose friendships! But as a loyal Chelsea FC supporter myself, I respect that fidelity. Star Wars was a huge part of my childhood and because I grew up with the prequels, I think that they are underrated.

However, before all that, we must quickly settle a debate that has been ongoing within the Star Wars fandom for some time: what is the best order to show the Star Wars movies on Disney+ to newcomers to the franchise? While the theatrical, chronological and machete orders all have their pros and cons, I have a different method:

4, 5, 6 >>> 1, 2, Clone Wars, 3, Solo, Rogue One, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Essentially, you watch the original trilogy first and then you go and watch the entire saga in chronological order. During this, you show the original trilogy to the newcomer a second time in order to refresh their memory before you start the sequel trilogy. This is a tried and tested method, so make of it what you will! In the same way that lots of girlfriends showed me chick flicks, I had to make sure that they saw Star Wars! Not enough women have seen Star Wars although the franchise is clearly becoming more diverse. There are many Star Wars legends that I sadly never met including the late, great Christopher Lee, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, Jeremy Bulloch, David Prowse and James Earl Jones RIP .

But now, we must examine the ultimate ranking of the Star Wars saga. May the Force be with you! And remember, you either love Star Wars or you haven’t seen it.

11). EPISODE IX – THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

★★☆☆☆

RD: 20/12/2019

Directed by JJ Abrams      Screenplay by JJ Abrams & Chris Terrio

The pressure was on JJ Abrams after the mixed reception to The Last Jedi to guide the Skywalker storyline to a satisfying close (he should have directed the entire sequel trilogy). The Rise of Skywalker just about manages this. However, there were certainly a few problems with it. Firstly, the overall narrative felt a bit messy, as it had clearly been heavily rewritten.

Although Palpatine’s return felt like an afterthought – the Emperor was well realised, and the strobe lighting made the scenes with Palpatine very atmospheric. The horrifying revelation that Rey is the granddaughter of the Emperor was an obvious further attempt to retcon the events of The Last Jedi, and it was a better narrative choice even if it was somewhat left field. 

Kylo Ren and Rey had some forced chemistry in this film and so I feel that Kylo Ren was better portrayed in The Force Awakens. Adam Driver’s performance was certainly one of the saving graces of the sequels. However, Ren’s redemption in The Rise of Skywalker is ultimately what Star Wars is all about and it very much echoes Vader’s redemption storyline in the original trilogy. The scenes with General Hux (the spy) and Richard E Grant on the First Order ship were good too, but a little bit unexplored. The space battle scenes were very impressive and exciting though.

The Knights of Ren were underused. The narrative at the beginning of the film was fast-paced, but felt a bit disjointed at first. Some of Rey’s ‘awesome powers’ scenes were nonsensical; particularly the scene when she used force lightning on the ship that our heroes thought that Chewbacca was on. But, the dynamic between Poe, Finn and Rey was excellent and furthermore, Leia, Luke and Han each had a fitting send-off. Lando was a welcome return, but he could have been used more. The ending of this film neatly wraps up the saga by returning to where it all began on Skywalker ranch on Tatooine, bringing the whole story full circle as Rey realises her destiny as a member of the Skywalker family.

10). SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

★★★☆☆

RD: 25/5/2018

Directed by Ron Howard      Screenplay by Jonathan & Lawrence Kasdan

Solo is certainly a fun anthology film, with fantastic visuals and great references to both the original and prequel Skywalker saga trilogies. There are some fantastic performances from Woody Harrelson and Emilia Clarke. We also have an exciting cameo from Darth Maul. And, watching Han win the Millenium Falcon from Lando in a game of cards – what Star Wars fan wouldn’t want to see that? However, the storyline seems to lack substance and is a bit too simple. The supporting characters are sidelined for much of the film and the final 30 minutes fall a bit flat in places. But, the ending of this film neatly leads into the events of the original Star Wars film, from the perspective of Han and Chewbacca, as they head off to collaborate with Jabba the Hutt.

9). EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE 

★★★☆☆

RD: 19/5/1999

Directed by George Lucas      Screenplay by George Lucas

Having absented himself from the film industry for well over a decade, Lucas was arguably given far too much creative control over his own product when he returned to make the prequel trilogy. Dismissing the Force as some mere microbial nonsense was one of the biggest kicks in the teeth for Star Wars fans. And the annoying Jar Jar Binks was far from easy to tolerate at times, having clearly been created to appeal directly to kids along with various other elements of The Phantom Menace.

However, although some of the performances in this film fell a bit flat, the costumes, production values and battle sequences were awe-inspiring. One of the best aspects of the movie was Darth Maul, an eerie Sith apprentice, whose duel at the film’s climax with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon was, like the pod-race, very impressive. But this character was underused through his untimely demise at the hand of Ewan McGregor’s fantastic Obi-Wan Kenobi, avenging his deceased master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson).

Back in 1999, this film had an underwhelming reception from critics and adult Star Wars fans that grew up with the original trilogy. In the years that followed, there was a continued level of snobbery about the prequel trilogy in general, which some fans deemed to be inferior to the original trilogy. However, time has been kind to The Phantom Menace and indeed the rest of the previously underrated prequel trilogy. Those of us millennials who grew up with the prequels as kids have now all reached adulthood and we have therefore been able to control the consensus on these films, allowing them to finally have the reappraisal they deserve. I love all three of the Star Wars prequels!

Prequel memes have dominated social media over the last few years. Thanks to millennial nostalgia, we are now living in the Prequel Renaissance, something that would have seemed impossible to many fans twenty years ago. Will the same thing happen to the sequel trilogy once the kids who grew up with them become adults too?

8). EPISODE VIII – THE LAST JEDI

★★★★☆

RD: 15/12/2017

Directed by Rian Johnson      Screenplay by Rian Johnson

The Last Jedi beautifully captures the inner turmoil of Luke Skywalker, whilst also containing many references to The Empire Strikes Back. For example, Luke’s training of Rey echoing Yoda’s training of him on Degobah. The similar space dogfights and the ice battle with AT-ATs! The cinematography of The Last Jedi is unparalleled! The bomber space battle at the start of the movie is one of the most exciting yet. Adam Driver adds further depth to his gripping portrayal of Kylo Ren and we learn more about the identity of Snoke. Poe Dameron and Finn are also provided with a lovely friend in Rose Tico! Chewbacca and the Porgs are also natural pilots onboard the Millennium Falcon. The Rise of Skywalker retconned some aspects of The Last Jedi, i.e. the plot thread about Rey’s heritage. It may have been more consistent to have had the same director direct all three of the sequel trilogy. However, Rian Johnson did a great job with The Last Jedi!

7). EPISODE II – ATTACK OF THE CLONES

★★★★☆

RD: 16/5/2002

Directed by George Lucas      Screenplay by George Lucas

Attack of the Clones was a notable improvement on The Phantom Menace. Hayden Christensen, an underrated actor, was unfortunately given lines such as “I don’t like sand. It’s coarse, rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.”, which were hardly as romantic as Lucas had intended. But Anakin’s love for and duty to protect Padmé shines through in Hayden’s performance.

The pseudo-mystery sub-plot takes Obi-Wan (played superbly by Ewan McGregor) to Kamino, where he discovers a Clone army. Obi-Wan then pursues Bounty Hunter Jango Fett (played impeccably by Temuera Morrison) and his son Boba Fett to Geonosis, where he discovers who is really pulling all the strings.

I particularly enjoyed the scenes where Obi-Wan fights Jango Fett, both on Kamino and in space above Geonosis. The chase scene with Zam Wesell around Coruscant is also fun and exciting too, allowing more time for world-building from Lucas.

The Battle of Geonosis was really cool and it was fun to finally see loads of Jedi in action fighting alongside the Clones against the droid army. Unfortunately, veteran actor Christopher Lee is underused in his role as Count Dooku, appearing over an hour into the main feature. But it was exciting to watch the duel between Yoda and Dooku at the film’s climax. An underrated and enjoyable tale that I rewatched many times as a kid, Attack of the Clones is more favourably viewed now than it was at the time of its release (along with the rest of the prequel trilogy). It is important to remember that Attack of the Clones also neatly sets up the events of the Clone Wars, which were depicted in greater depth in the acclaimed 2008-2020 animated TV series of the same name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-yF6EPW6ro

6). ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

★★★★☆

RD: 15/12/2016

Directed by Gareth Edwards      Screenplay by Chris Weitz & Tony Gilroy

Ever since Disney announced that it would be making an anthology film that depicted the Rebels stealing of the plans to the Death Star (described in the opening crawl of the original Star Wars film, now subtitled A New Hope), fans were giddy with anticipation. To finally see these moments, whispered about within the history of the saga, on the big screen was a big event for the long-term audience.

Godzilla director Gareth Edwards made Rogue One into an epic war movie. But, the beginning of the film admittedly involves too much jumping around planets, attempting to introduce us quickly to each member of Rogue One. No wonder then that by the end I could barely remember any of their names. Also, planet title cards are more Star Trek or Doctor Who than Star Wars. Screen-wipes are what we traditionally use for this sci-fi franchise!

Felicity Jones provides an engaging performance as Jyn Erso, showing some real pathos in the scenes where she remembers her father. However, the other major characters in Rogue One are not as fleshed out for the audience. IndieWire’s David Ehrlich summed it up best when he commented that while the set design and visuals were “gorgeous”, the film lacked interesting character development and had a script that felt “completely constricted by its purpose”.

One of the biggest praises I have for this film is the quality of its effects and CGI. The final battle sequences looked incredibly impressive. Although, when married to A New Hope during a marathon, this makes the original Star Wars film from 1977 look very dated indeed. But the most pioneering piece of technology used in the film had to be the CGI recreations of the late Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, both eerily rendered onto the big screen. But there is one scene that stands out in this film and it presents Vader at perhaps his darkest yet…

Rogue One is a great film with some gritty realism thrown into its gripping plot. Thanks to some great visuals, a few crowd-pleasing nods to the past and several exciting battles, this film is ultimately a success. Perhaps its status as an anthology Star Wars film does it a disservice within the context of the saga.

5). EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS

★★★★☆

RD: 18/12/2015

Directed by JJ Abrams      Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan, JJ Abrams & Michael Arndt

After the near biblical proportions of hype surrounding The Phantom Menace back in 1999, Star Wars fans were apprehensive at the prospect of a new trilogy made by Disney. However, JJ Abrams’ direction paid off in spades, creating a wonderful homage to the original first film in The Force Awakens. In much the same way that he reinvigorated the Star Trek franchise, Abrams successfully breathed new life into Star Wars in a way that even the most expectant fans could not have hoped for.

Many have criticised the plot of The Force Awakens as being too derivative of A New Hope. But given the nature of easing fans back into the galaxy far far away after the mixed reception of the prequels, it was a logical move to replicate aspects of the original movie. Daisy Ridley is perfectly cast as Rey (Skywalker?) and John Boyega also provides a compelling turn alongside returning heroes Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. Luke takes a backseat in this tale, becoming the MacGuffin of the story and thereby providing an extra focus on his character.

The incredible, balletic battle sequences, combined with stunning visual effects and many nods to the past, made this the film that fans were looking for in 2015. The cinematic release of the The Force Awakens in 2015 saw Star Wars become a huge merchandise campaign once again and suddenly, millions of nostalgic adults around the world became kids again.

Although Han Solo was sadly killed off, we still gained an exciting new villain in his son, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) who was one of the best characters of the sequel trilogy. We were also left on tenterhooks to discover  the identity of the intriguing Supreme Leader Snoke. The future looked very bright for the Star Wars franchise following the release of The Force Awakens.

4). EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH

★★★★★

RD: 19/5/2005

Directed by George Lucas      Screenplay by George Lucas

This film irreversibly latched onto my imagination when I first saw it as a kid back in 2005, aged 10. By the time of the film’s release, my brother and I had become fully fledged Star Wars fans in the interim years between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. We collected toys, Lego, comics, played console games, went back and saw the original trilogy and watched the definitive Cartoon Network Clone Wars TV series (2003-2005), which was produced and directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, the talented creator of Dexter’s Laboratory and the excellent Samurai Jack, and employs a similar animation style to the latter.

When we were kids, my younger brother and I even used to go to our local park, armed with lightsabers and re-enact duels together from the films, such as the ones between Anakin & Obi-Wan and Yoda & Palpatine. You could say that Revenge of the Sith marked a consolidatory point in my history as a Star Wars fan, and I will never forget the excitement of my childhood best friend Seth, my younger brother, my father and I on 21st May 2005 whilst we were waiting in the cinema queue.

However, it is more than just simple nostalgia that makes Revenge of the Sith a strong entry in the Star Wars saga. The emotional power of its final act is perhaps what drives Episode III to be one of the greatest, with the fight between Obi-Wan and Anakin being the best-choreographed lightsaber duel in the franchise and beautifully scored by the legendary John Williams. The tragedy of the destruction of what was once a brotherly friendship turned into pure hatred can surely be nothing other than compelling. Hayden Christensen’s performance has also improved considerably since Attack of the Clones.

An even darker film than The Empire Strikes Back, Revenge of the Sith manages to convey the turmoil of a good man’s life turned upside-down, driving him to commit acts of murder and betrayal that many would consider unimaginable. General Grievous’s four arms and breathing problems conjure up an eerie foreshadowing of Anakin’s own immediate future.

Ewan McGregor and Ian McDiarmid give the performances of their careers and the writing, tone and direction have all significantly improved since the previous two movies. Revenge of the Sith will always be seared onto my heart and not even a fiery furnace in the depths of Mustafar will change that. People no longer laugh at you if you say that this is your favourite Star Wars movie.

3). EPISODE VI – RETURN OF THE JEDI

★★★★★

RD: 25/5/1983

Directed by Richard Marquand      Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan & George Lucas

Return of the Jedi has plenty to offer. The second Death Star battle is even more impressive than the first and Vader’s climactic redemption brings the whole saga full circle. Richard Marquand also proves himself as a first class director in his depiction of the Battle of Endor. Who doesn’t love a cute little Ewok?

Picking up from where The Empire Strikes Back left off, Return of the Jedi does ramble through the rescue of Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt for perhaps slightly too long. But the fight over the Great Pit of Carkoon with Jabba’s Sail Barge is still hugely exciting, especially when Boba Fett falls inside the Sarlaac Pit! Also, Lando Calrissian is a worthy successor to Han in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.

While perhaps not as dark as the previous film, fans should reflect on the refreshing nature of Return of the Jedi’s tone. The Emperor is at his best in this film, snarling his way through Luke and Vader’s fight scenes with a callousness that Hannibal Lecter himself would be proud of. This film is a worthy conclusion to the saga as a whole… or so we thought.

2). EPISODE IV – A NEW HOPE 

★★★★★

RD: 25/5/1977

Directed by George Lucas      Screenplay by George Lucas

The one that started it all. The Chosen One. The one that led us out of the economic and social turmoil of the 1970s and into the shining future set long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. For many, A New Hope is the definitive Star Wars film and certainly this might be a universal view had it not been for Lucas’s hideous 1997 special edition (for the record: Han shot first). Tampering with classic shows or movies is like painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa. But the thrill of meeting Luke Skywalker on his Tatooine homestead to Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) teaching him the ways of the Force, through to seeing the Millennium Falcon speeding through space and the final act involving the destruction of the Death Star… what more could you want from modern mythology? And with an iconic trio of main stars in Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, the original Star Wars film was always going to set the cinema world on fire. When I first saw this movie as a kid, I thought it was magical.

1). EPISODE V – THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

★★★★★

RD: 20/5/1980

Directed by Irvin Kershner      Screenplay by George Lucas

Everyone loves The Empire Strikes Back! It’s just a fact! This film changed cinema history. From the extraordinary direction of the Hoth battle in the snow to Yoda’s training of Luke (Mark Hamill) as a Jedi on Dagobah, this movie has everything that you could wish for. The iconic scene where Darth Vader reveals to Luke that he is his father has now passed into movie legend, a reveal that is foreshadowed earlier in the film in a brilliant way. Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Alec Guinness and Billy Dee Williams also provide fun and entertaining performances, particularly the relationship between Han Solo and Princess Leia. The Empire Strikes Back will always be the best Star Wars movie.