Every ‘Star Wars’ Movie Ranked from Worst to Best

From the Skywalker saga to the anthology adventures and the animated theatrical release, the galaxy far, far away spans decades of storytelling and shifting production eras. Below is a countdown through every theatrical ‘Star Wars’ film, arranged strictly by user ratings, with quick-hit facts on directors, leads, and where each entry fits in the saga timeline. Whether you’re revisiting the originals, exploring the prequels and sequels, or dipping into the standalones, this guide keeps it simple and handy for your next watch-through.

‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (2008)

The animated feature was directed by Dave Filoni and served as a launchpad for the subsequent series, introducing Ahsoka Tano alongside Anakin Skywalker. It compiles four stories originally planned as early episodes of the TV run, repurposed into a theatrical release. Voice leads include Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, and James Arnold Taylor, with Warner Bros. handling distribution. It carries a PG rating for sci-fi action and holds an audience score reflecting its transitional role between films and television.

‘Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

Directed by J.J. Abrams, the film concludes the sequel trilogy and the nine-part Skywalker saga, with Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac headlining. It earned three Academy Award nominations (Original Score, Visual Effects, Sound Editing) and crossed the billion-dollar mark worldwide. The production credits include Lucasfilm and Bad Robot, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures as distributor. Its user score places it near the bottom of the series despite significant box office performance.

‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ (1999)

George Lucas returned to the director’s chair to begin the prequel trilogy, centering on young Anakin Skywalker and the political tensions within the Galactic Republic. Principal cast includes Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and Jake Lloyd, with Industrial Light & Magic leading visual effects. The film reintroduced audiences to the Jedi Order and the Sith’s resurgence. Its aggregated user score reflects large-scale engagement across a vast voting base.

‘Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones’ (2002)

Also directed by George Lucas, this installment advances the Clone Wars’ origins and the evolving relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. The cast features Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, and Ewan McGregor, with extensive digital production and location work. It is rated PG for sustained sequences of sci-fi action and violence. The user rating situates it in the lower tier of the saga’s feature films.

‘Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi’ (2017)

Written and directed by Rian Johnson, the film continues the sequel-era conflict while foregrounding Rey, Luke Skywalker, and Kylo Ren. Principal stars include Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, and Carrie Fisher. It is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence and runs over two and a half hours. Its audience score places it mid-to-low among franchise entries, based on a large volume of votes.

‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ (2018)

Directed by Ron Howard, this anthology prequel follows a young Han Solo with Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, and Woody Harrelson in key roles. The film’s technical specs include a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Atmos presentation, and a 4K digital intermediate. It is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence. Its user rating places it just above the lower-mid range among the franchise’s features.

‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith’ (2005)

George Lucas concludes the prequel trilogy with the fall of the Republic and Anakin Skywalker’s transformation. The film is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and intense images and features Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, and Ian McDiarmid. It received numerous awards and nominations and marked a technical benchmark for digital filmmaking of its era. Its audience score places it in the saga’s mid-pack tier.

‘Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens’ (2015)

Directed by J.J. Abrams, the film opens the sequel trilogy and introduces new leads Rey, Finn, and Poe alongside returning legacy characters. The production is credited to Lucasfilm and Bad Robot, with a PG-13 rating for sci-fi action. It earned multiple Academy Award nominations and substantial worldwide grosses. Its user score sits in the upper middle when compared across the full set of films.

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (2016)

Gareth Edwards directs this anthology feature that directly precedes the events of the original 1977 film, led by Felicity Jones and Diego Luna. It is rated PG-13 and runs just over two hours, with Industrial Light & Magic delivering large-scale visual effects. The film’s plot centers on the Rebel Alliance mission to obtain the Death Star plans. Its user score places it among the stronger modern entries.

‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’ (1983)

Directed by Richard Marquand, the original trilogy finale features Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher and concludes the conflict with the Galactic Empire. The film is rated PG and runs approximately 131 minutes. It includes award-recognized craftwork and extensive creature effects from Lucasfilm’s teams. Its audience rating stands as one of the higher scores in the franchise.

‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’ (1977)

George Lucas’s original space opera launched the franchise with Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher in breakout roles. The film earned multiple Academy Awards and set a new standard for visual effects through Industrial Light & Magic. It is rated PG and runs just over two hours. Its user score is one of the top two franchise-wide.

‘Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)

Directed by Irvin Kershner, this sequel continues the original trilogy with expanded storylines for Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo. It is rated PG and runs 124 minutes, featuring new locations and characters that broaden the saga’s scope. The film’s production drew on advanced model work and optical effects for its era. Its audience rating is the highest among all ‘Star Wars’ theatrical releases.

Share your own order in the comments—what’s your personal top pick and why?