Star Wars Movies Tier List: All 12 Films Ranked
Twelve movies, one galaxy, a lot of arguing. We're ranking every theatrical Star Wars film plus the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu, from the ones that changed cinema to the ones that mostly changed the toy aisle.
This list leans on where fans and critics actually agree (Empire on top, prequels catching heat, the sequel trilogy splitting rooms in half) and we make a call where the fanbase still can't settle its lightsaber duel. Think we got one wrong? That's what the comments are for. Rank it yourself and see how close you get.
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SS Tier: The untouchables
The Empire Strikes Back
The one that made Star Wars literature instead of just a fun space movie. Vader's reveal still lands even if you've known it your whole life, and Yoda's swamp scenes somehow out-act half the cast around him. Nearly every 'best sequel ever' conversation starts here.
About The Empire Strikes Back
The 1980 sequel to A New Hope, widely regarded as the series' creative peak. It introduces Yoda and reveals Darth Vader's connection to Luke Skywalker.
- Director
- Irvin Kershner
- Release
- 1980
A New Hope
The twin sunset shot alone earns its spot. This is the film that invented the vocabulary everything after it speaks, from the opening crawl to the cantina band. It's a little rough around the edges by modern standards, but you don't rank it against effects, you rank it against what it started.
About A New Hope
Released in 1977, this is the film that started the entire Star Wars franchise. Directed by George Lucas, it follows Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia as they fight the Galactic Empire.
- Director
- George Lucas
- Release
- 1977
AA Tier: Genuinely great Star Wars
Return of the Jedi
Ewoks get the jokes, but the Jabba's palace opening and the Vader-Luke-Emperor throne room scene are as good as this saga ever gets emotionally. 'I am a Jedi, like my father before me' is a genuine goosebumps line. Loses a few points for the second Death Star being a bit of a retread.
About Return of the Jedi
The 1983 finale of the original trilogy, concluding the Skywalker-Vader storyline and the fight against the Empire.
- Director
- Richard Marquand
- Release
- 1983
Revenge of the Sith
The prequel that finally delivers on the tragedy the other two kept promising. Anakin's slide into Vader has real weight once Order 66 hits, and 'this is where the fun begins' plays very differently on a rewatch. Critics warmed to this one years after release, and that reassessment feels earned.
About Revenge of the Sith
The 2005 conclusion to the prequel trilogy, depicting Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader.
- Director
- George Lucas
- Release
- 2005
Rogue One
A war movie wearing Star Wars clothes, and better for it. The Scarif beach assault and that final Vader hallway scene are some of the most purely thrilling minutes in the whole franchise. Downside: you already know how it ends before it starts, and the film leans into that instead of hiding from it.
About Rogue One
A 2016 standalone film set just before A New Hope, following a group of rebels on a mission to steal the Death Star plans.
- Director
- Gareth Edwards
- Release
- 2016
BB Tier: Solid, no apologies needed
The Force Awakens
Yes, it's basically A New Hope with a new coat of paint, but it's a well-fitted coat. Rey, Finn, and Poe gave the saga new faces worth caring about, and Han Solo's return hits harder than it probably should. Criticized fairly for playing it too safe.
About The Force Awakens
The 2015 start of the sequel trilogy, introducing Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron while bringing back Han Solo, Leia, and Luke Skywalker.
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
- Release
- 2015
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Has been released, as it hit theaters on May 22, 2026, so this placement is based on the film's actual performance rather than a bet on the show's track record. Din Djarin and Grogu earned enormous goodwill across three seasons of television, and that trust buys this one the benefit of the doubt.
About The Mandalorian and Grogu
An upcoming theatrical film continuing the story of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, following Din Djarin and Grogu.
- Director
- Jon Favreau
- Status
- Upcoming
CC Tier: Fun but flawed
The Phantom Menace
Pod racing and the Darth Maul duel are legitimately great. Jar Jar Binks and a trade dispute as the inciting plot are not. This is the most divisive film on the list by nostalgia alone: kids who grew up with it defend it hard, everyone else remembers the dialogue.
About The Phantom Menace
The 1999 start of the prequel trilogy, introducing a young Anakin Skywalker and the political backdrop of the Galactic Republic.
- Director
- George Lucas
- Release
- 1999
The Last Jedi
The most argued-about Star Wars movie, full stop. Some fans call it the boldest swing the saga ever took, subverting expectations on purpose; others call it a betrayal of everything Force Awakens set up. We land in the middle: the Rey and Luke scenes on Ahch-To are terrific, the Canto Bight detour is not.
About The Last Jedi
The 2017 middle chapter of the sequel trilogy, continuing Rey's training with Luke Skywalker and the First Order's pursuit of the Resistance.
- Director
- Rian Johnson
- Release
- 2017
DD Tier: Where the arguments start
Attack of the Clones
The romance between Anakin and Padme is the weak link people remember most, sand monologue and all. The Geonosis arena battle and Yoda finally igniting a lightsaber almost save it, but 'almost' is doing a lot of work here.
About Attack of the Clones
The 2002 middle chapter of the prequel trilogy, centered on the growing conflict that becomes the Clone Wars and Anakin's romance with Padme Amidala.
- Director
- George Lucas
- Release
- 2002
Solo: A Star Wars Story
A perfectly pleasant heist movie that nobody asked to see with Han Solo's face on it. Donald Glover's Lando is the clear highlight and arguably deserved his own film instead. It underperformed at the box office and the franchise quietly shelved the anthology format afterward.
About Solo: A Star Wars Story
A 2018 standalone prequel exploring a young Han Solo's early adventures, including his meeting with Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian.
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Release
- 2018
FF Tier: The one nobody defends
The Rise of Skywalker
A movie that spends two and a half hours apologizing for the previous one instead of telling its own story. Palpatine's return is announced, not earned, and the retcons pile up fast enough to give you whiplash. Pretty much the one entry on this list with no real defenders left.
About The Rise of Skywalker
The 2019 conclusion to the Skywalker saga, wrapping up the sequel trilogy and the overall nine-film story.
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
- Release
- 2019
How we ranked them
We weighed critical reception, box office legacy, and how these films are actually talked about in fan communities and review aggregates years later, not just on opening weekend. Rewatch value and cultural staying power counted for a lot. Where the fandom is genuinely split, like the prequels' slow critical rehab or the sequel trilogy's civil war, we noted the divide and picked the side the broader consensus supports.
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Rank these yourselfFAQ
What is the best Star Wars movie of all time?
By broad critical and fan consensus, The Empire Strikes Back. It deepened the story, introduced Yoda, and delivered the Vader reveal that's still one of cinema's most quoted twists.
What is the worst Star Wars movie?
The Rise of Skywalker is the most commonly cited as the weakest, criticized for undoing The Last Jedi's choices and leaning heavily on convenient plot twists.
Is The Last Jedi good or bad?
It's the most divisive film in the saga. Some praise its willingness to subvert expectations, others feel it undermined character arcs set up in The Force Awakens. Both camps are loud.
Where do the prequels rank compared to the originals?
The original trilogy generally ranks higher across the board, but Revenge of the Sith has earned real critical respect over time and often outranks several other films on this list.
Is Rogue One considered canon with the main saga?
Yes, Rogue One is a direct prequel to A New Hope and ties directly into its opening scenes.
Has The Mandalorian and Grogu been released yet?
Has already hit theaters on May 22, 2026, so its ranking here can be based on the film's actual performance.
More rankings
Image credits
- The Empire Strikes BackCover: Wikipedia · Source
- A New HopeCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Return of the JediCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Revenge of the SithCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Rogue OneCover: Wikipedia · Source
- The Force AwakensCover: Wikipedia · Source
- The Mandalorian and GroguCover: Wikipedia · Source
- The Phantom MenaceCover: Wikipedia · Source
- The Last JediCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Attack of the ClonesCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Solo: A Star Wars StoryCover: Wikipedia · Source
- The Rise of SkywalkerCover: Wikipedia · Source