George Lucas created something incredible when he released the very first Star Wars movie in 1977. More than four decades later, the Star Wars universe has been able to spawn several movies and TV shows, with even more said to be on the way in the coming years. With there being a variety of movies from the franchise, fans of the epic space opera media franchise from all over the world have debated on which one ranks above the other. This article helps to put that to rest as we list the 10 greatest Star Wars movies ranked from best to worst.
10 Greatest Star Wars Movies Ranked From Best To Worst
1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Production Budget: $245 million
Box Office: $2,068,223,624
Also called Star Wars: Episode VII, this movie was the first to be released after Disney acquired Lucasfilm Ltd. Set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, the film serves as the first entry in the sequel trilogy. It introduced new characters like Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they search for Luke Skywalker. It has a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 81/100 rating on Metacritic.
2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Production Budget: $317 million
Box Office: $1,332,539,889
The sequel to 2015’s The Force Awakens continues the story set in the new trilogy. It follows Rey as she receives Jedi training from Luke Skywalker, Finn, Poe Dameron, and General Leia Organa as they try to escape an attack from the First Order. The Last Jedi was directed and written by Rian Johnson. It holds a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85/100 rating on Metacritic.
3. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Production Budget: $115 million
Box Office: $1,027,044,677
The Phantom Menace is the first installment in the prequel trilogy. Taking place 32 years before the original Star Wars, the story follows Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Kenobi as they protect Queen Amidala with the hopes of ending an interplanetary trade dispute. The movie scored 53% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51/100 on Metacritic.
4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Production Budget: $200 million
Box Office: $1,056,057,273
Rogue One marked the first entry of an anthology film in the Star Wars movies franchise. The film follows a group of rebels on their mission to steal the plans of the Galactic Empire superweapon known as the Death Star. It was directed by Gareth Edwards and stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Mads Mikkelsen, and Donnie Yen. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a score of 84% while on Metacritic it has a rating of 65/100.
5. Star Wars (1977)
Production Budget: $11 million
Box Office: $775,398,007
Later renamed Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, this 1977 movie was the first installment in George Lucas’s Star Wars universe. The story follows Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi as they attempt to free Princess Leia and destroy the Empire’s superweapon, the Death Star. Written and directed by George Lucas, the film was a critical and commercial success. It has a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 90/100 rating on Metacritic.
6. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Production Budget: $113 million
Box Office: $848,754,768
Serving as the last entry in the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Hayden Christensen. Directed and written by George Lucas, it follows a galactic war of the Jedi Knights against the Separatists. The film has an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 68/100 rating on Metacritic.
7. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Production Budget: $115 million
Box Office: $649,398,328
Star Wars: Episode II is the second entry in the prequel trilogy, set ten years after the events of The Phantom Menace. With the galaxy on the brink of civil war, Anakin Skywalker protects Padme Amidala after a failed assassination attempt, while Obi-Wan Kenobi investigates the assassination. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a score of 66% while it has a rating of 54/100 on Metacritic.
8. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Production Budget: $18 million
Box Office: $538,375,067
Also known as Star Wars: Episode V, this entry served as the sequel to the original Star Wars. Irvin Kershner directed the movie while creator George Lucas served as the screenwriter and film’s executive producer. The story follows Darth Vader’s search for Luke Skywalker and his friends as Luke studies the Force under Master Yoda. It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 95% and a Metacritic rating of 82/100.
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9. Return of the Jedi (1983)
Production Budget: $32.5 million
Box Office: $475,106,177
Also called Star Wars: Episode VI, Return of the Jedi serves as the sixth film in the nine-part Skywalker saga. Under the rule of the Emperor, the Galactic Empire begins construction of a second Death Star to crush the Rebel Alliance. Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance launches a full-scale attack on the Death Star to kill the Emperor and end his hold on the galaxy. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film is rated 81% and while it has a score of 58/100 on Metacritic.
10. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Production Budget: $275 million
Box Office: $392,924,807
Solo is a Star Wars anthology film based on the Star Wars character Han Solo. The movie followed the early adventures of Han Solo and Chewbacca as they join a robbery crew in the criminal underworld ten years before the events of the original Star Wars movie. Despite good ratings, the film did poorly at the box office. It holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 70% and a Metacritic rating of 62/100.
