May the 4th Be With You: Every Star Wars Movie, Ranked By Me!

Every Star Wars Film Ranked by Someone Who Cares Way Too Much — Happy Star Wars Day!

This Star Wars Day is a special one, since I am ringing in a new decade of my life. As a now 30-year-old Star Wars obsessed adult, I will be ranking all the Star Wars movies that have released until now – whether it’s the Skywalker Saga or standalone Films. May the 4th be with you all.

There are 12 theatrical Star Wars films if you count everything — the Skywalker Saga, the prequels, the originals, and the anthology one-offs. Admittedly, I have not seen the original Clone Wars movie that launched with the series, so it is the only thing I will not be ranking here. With that being said, here’s how I rank them, worst to best:

11. The Rise of Skywalker

I will start by saying that I do not feel this strongly negative towards any other movie in the franchise besides this one. For obvious reasons, it has me questioning why I even liked this IP in the first place. This movie tries way too hard to tie up every plotline that the last 2 made all while trying to expand upon the universe created. It tries to involve every character while introducing old ones that should be long gone. Watching this movie felt like a fever dream. Easily the worst piece of Star Wars media we’ve possibly ever gotten. It kills the momentum for every new character introduced in this trilogy… and it shows with how the actors react to even being in this.

10. Solo

If I could be so honest, I do not remember this movie whatsoever. Every time I try and rewatch this, I just get bored. They took a big risk in casting someone who is not Harrison Ford to play his character. While Alden Ehrenreich did a good job, there was no way he was ever going to compete as Han. I do, however, remember being excited when Maul made his appearance!

9. The Force Awakens

From here until number 1, I find these movies enjoyable. I remember watching this movie in theater and loving every minute of it. The new characters introduced to us were interesting, and to this day I love Rey. I just think this trilogy could have been much more unique. It felt like they were trying to imitate what made the original trilogy so great. This is ranked so high on the list simply because they did Han so dirty.

8. The Phantom Menace

The first Star Wars movie I ever saw in theaters. With flashy effects, amazing lightsaber fight choreography and some cool space fighting; this is the perfect movie to show a kid. However, outside of that it feels like a movie that lacked originality. It really feels like George was having fun with this one. The CGI aged terribly and the pod racing is insufferable. Still love me some Darth Maul though!

7. Attack of the Clones

My young self would be ashamed of my older self if I saw this movie at this spot in the ranking. I would say that this was the movie that made me the fan that I am today. I remember being a kid and always asking why we never saw more than 3 lightsabers on screen at the time. This movie delivers the entire Jedi order on a silver platter in an all-out war; it does not get any cooler than that!

I wish they did a better job showcasing Anakin as a character. Some pretty traumatic stuff happens to him in this movie – yet, somehow, he comes off as a bratty annoying teen.

6. Revenge of The Sith

Like Attack of the Clones, this movie is majorly nostalgic for me. The first time I ever cut school was to watch this! My father picked me up early from school to go watch this on release day. I remember leaving the theater floored at what I saw. The lightsaber choreography is outstanding, and the final battles are some of the best in the entire franchise. This suffers from similar issues to Attack of The Clones – Anakin is just really annoying.

5. The Last Jedi

Now this is probably the most controversial film on this list. I want to start by saying that this is a damn good movie, I just don’t think it’s a good Star Wars movie. So why is it so high up on this list? This is probably the best-looking film in this entire list. Ironically, this is the movie I’ve come back to the most since it came out – even though I cried coming out of the theater after my first viewing. I can look past what they did to Luke and Leia by justifying how well written everything else is. The fight in Snoke’s throne room lives rent free in my mind.

4. Return of the Jedi

I think this is where the movies start to rank themselves based on personal preferences. The Return of the Jedi is the culmination of all the work George put into the original trilogy. Endor is still one of my favorite planets in the entire universe simply for the Ewoks and how cute they are! Luke’s characterization really shines in this movie. On top of that, we also get to see Darth Vader’s humanity for the first time. The prequels honestly make this movie hit different!

3. A New Hope

The movie that started it all! I can’t think of a better way to kick of a cultural phenomenon. The way this movie navigates its plot is excellent. It’s also hard to grasp the fact that this movie came out in 1977. This is my favorite rendition of the hero’s journey. Though it is 3^rd on the list, this is a movie I Hold near and dear to my heart.

Also, HAN SHOT FIRST!

2. Rogue One

I mean c’mon… this movie is the definition of peak. I remember leading up to its release, I was worried if it would live up to the Skywalker saga. I spin-off story that was a chance they took and definitely a chance that was worth it. Besides some cheesy stuff that was clearly shoe-horned in, this movie is as close to perfect as you can get. No other movie has made me feel the way this one did when Vader turned his lightsaber on in that hallway.

1. The Empire Strikes Back

No other movie on this list compares to The Empire Strikes Back. This is as Grandiose as Star Wars gets. I can argue that it is one of the greatest movies ever made. From the battle of Hoth to the ending where Han gets frozen in carbonite – this movie does not stop being entertaining at any point. I have a vivid memory of me jumping on my couch and crying when I found out Vader was Lukes’ father; I just could not believe it! I will never stop singing this movie’s praises and I would honestly give anything to go back in time and watch this movie in theaters on release.

So, there you have it — my definitive Star Wars movie rankings as a freshly minted 30-year-old who has absolutely no regrets about how much of his brain is occupied by this franchise.

Star Wars has been with me through every stage of my life. It’s the first movie I ever saw in theaters, the reason I cut school for the first time, and somehow still the thing I find myself going back to when I want to feel like a kid again. These movies aren’t perfect — some of them are pretty far from it — but they’re so darn fun!

If these movies taught me anything, it’s that the best stories don’t always wrap up neatly. They leave you wanting more, sitting with big feelings, and coming back again and again. That’s what this franchise has always done for me, even when it’s let me down. With The Mandalorian and Grogu coming out in theaters in just a few weeks, I’m super excited to be the first one sat in my seat on day one.

Here’s to another 30 years in a galaxy far, far away. May the 4th be with you — always!