Ranking All 11 Star Wars Films from Least Favorable to Most Favorable

      Here are the existing 11 Star Wars films, ranked from least to most favorable, as we anticipate the release of the 12th film, The Mandalorian & Grogu, this summer.

      Caution: Spoilers ahead, and may the Force be with you, always.

      Let’s dive in.

      But First

      Credit: Disney

      We have a deep affection for Star Wars. An integral part of Star Wars is the defense of your personal interpretation—standing up against versions of the saga that seem like mere cash grabs or unworthy of the franchise's legacy.

      For us, Rogue One embodies a great example of a project that successfully integrates the essence of Star Wars.

      Below, we have ranked all 11 Star Wars films from worst to best.

      The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

      Disney – Credit: C/O

      We genuinely love Star Wars. However, the sequel trilogy that began with The Force Awakens occasionally felt like newcomers playing with classic toys. The aesthetics were on point, even if the CGI backgrounds were somewhat distracting. Yet, the characters felt flat or not fully realized. One had to question: Why are we here? Hasn't the Skywalker saga already been concluded?

      The Rise of Skywalker felt like the most desperate entry in the sequel trilogy, as it revived Emperor Palpatine without justification and resolved Rey’s parentage mystery (also: who cares?) by disclosing that he was her grandfather.

      The usual magic simply wasn't there.

      The Force Awakens (2015)

      Disney – Credit: C/O

      An unappealing film for the reasons stated earlier, we also have additional complaints: The movie resurrected Han Solo just for his son to kill him, serving only to position the whiny Ben Solo/Kylo Ren as a credible threat. It’s not Adam Driver’s fault that Ren lacks the malice of Darth Vader or the Emperor; he’s written as a brat.

      New protagonists Rey, Poe, and Finn never truly ignited—they simply didn’t have enough substance. Additionally, the movie made a significant misstep by casting Lupita Nyong’o, an award-winning performer, as a forgettable CGI character named Maz Kanata. She should have been a leading character—in her human form. We reluctantly included both The Rise of Skywalker and The Force Awakens in our list of Sequels Nobody Needs to See.

      However, it was great to see the original stars return.

      The Phantom Menace (1999)

      Lucasfilm – Credit: C/O

      We’ve never experienced a more underwhelming cinema outing than the premiere of The Phantom Menace: Strange aliens with clichéd voices discussing… trade routes? After waiting 16 years since Return of the Jedi, and lining up for a midnight premiere… for this?

      There were many negatives in The Phantom Menace—the CGI never measured up to the practical effects of the original trilogy, Jar Jar's presence, the confusing midichlorian subplot—but there were positives too.

      Natalie Portman excelled as Padme Amidala, Liam Neeson provided a steady presence as Qui-Gon Jinn, and Ewan McGregor did a remarkable job embodying Sir Alec Guinness while establishing his own identity as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Darth Maul, portrayed by Ray Park, was a fantastic antagonist who vanished all too soon. More on that later.

      Attack of the Clones (2002)

      Lucasfilm

      It was decent. We liked the title and enjoyed meeting Jango Fett.

      Once again, Natalie Portman performed admirably—she was among the most relatable characters in the Star Wars universe and served as the emotional core of the prequels.

      We wished her chemistry with Hayden Christensen had been better. This wasn’t due to the actors; they were just burdened with some awkward dialogue.

      Revenge of the Sith (2005)

      Lucasfilm – Credit: C/O

      Revenge of the Sith underscored the unfortunate realization that, even when done well, the prequels perhaps shouldn’t have been made.

      As is often the case with iconic villains like Hannibal Lecter and Freddy Krueger, knowing more about Darth Vader diminishes his mystique.

      Nevertheless, Vader remains one of the coolest aspects of the Star Wars universe, and it was thrilling to see him return 22 years after his demise in Return of the Jedi. It's just regrettable that it took three often tedious prequel films to reach this moment.

      The Last Jedi (2017)

      Disney – Credit: C/O

      This film has many critics, but let’s acknowledge writer-director Rian Johnson for taking bold risks.

      Unlike the films that flank it in the sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens and Revenge of the Sith, The Last Jedi attempts to explore new territory by examining how ordinary people perceive the conflict between the Rebels and the Empire (or the Resistance and the First Order, as redefined in these films).

      It’s fine. It’s the best showcase for