Star Wars has been an integral part of popular culture for over four decades, and the franchise has given us some of the most beloved movies of all time. From the original trilogy to the prequels, sequels, and spin-offs, Star Wars has captured the imaginations of audiences around the world. But with so many movies in the franchise, how do you rank them? In this definitive list, we’ll be ranking the Star Wars movies from worst to best, taking into account their critical reception, box office performance, and cultural impact.

The Clone Wars

The Clone Wars is an animated movie that serves as a precursor to the TV series of the same name. While it’s not a bad movie per se, it’s far from the best that the franchise has to offer. The animation is mediocre, the story is disjointed, and the characters are forgettable. While The Clone Wars TV series would go on to become a beloved part of the Star Wars canon, the movie falls flat.

The Rise of Skywalker

The Rise of Skywalker is the final movie in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and it’s a mixed bag. While the film features some thrilling action sequences and emotional character moments, it’s also plagued by a convoluted plot, unsatisfying character arcs, and an overreliance on nostalgia. The film tries to tie up too many loose ends and ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the sequel trilogy.

The Phantom Menace

The Phantom Menace is the first movie in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and it’s one of the most polarizing entries in the franchise. While the film introduced us to some memorable characters (including Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn and Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi), it’s also bogged down by wooden dialogue, underdeveloped characters, and a convoluted plot. The film’s saving grace is its groundbreaking visual effects, which paved the way for future advancements in the industry.

Attack of the Clones

Attack of the Clones is the second movie in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and it’s a slight improvement over its predecessor. The film features some thrilling action sequences, including the climactic battle on Geonosis, and it introduces us to some memorable new characters, including Christopher Lee’s Count Dooku. However, the film is also weighed down by clunky dialogue, wooden performances, and a cheesy love story between Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman).

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo: A Star Wars Story is a spin-off movie that explores the backstory of fan-favorite character Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich). While the film didn’t perform as well at the box office as its predecessors, it’s a fun romp that features some great performances (including Donald Glover’s scene-stealing turn as Lando Calrissian) and thrilling action sequences. While the movie doesn’t quite capture the magic of the original trilogy, it’s a solid entry in the franchise.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is an extraordinary spin-off movie, a film unlike any other in the Star Wars franchise. It tells the tale of a ragtag group of courageous rebels who are determined to acquire the classified plans for the formidable Death Star. This enthralling story also includes some of the most intense and exhilarating action sequences ever featured in a Star Wars film.

The movie also features a standout performance from Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, as well as some memorable new characters (including Donnie Yen’s blind warrior Chirrut Îmwe).

The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi is the second movie in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and it’s one of the most divisive entries in the franchise. While some fans love the movie’s bold storytelling choices and subversion of expectations, others feel that it strays too far from the established Star Wars formula. Regardless of your personal opinion, it’s hard to deny that The Last Jedi is a visually stunning movie with some of the most memorable scenes in the entire franchise, including the throne room battle and the emotional final showdown between Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

Return of the Jedi

Return of the Jedi is the final movie in the original Star Wars trilogy, and while it’s not as strong as its predecessors, it’s still a thrilling and emotionally satisfying conclusion to the story. The film features some of the most iconic moments in the franchise, including the speeder bike chase on Endor and the epic battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire. While the Ewoks may be divisive among fans, they add a sense of fun and whimsy to the movie that sets it apart from the darker entries in the franchise.

A New Hope

A New Hope (originally just titled “Star Wars”) is the movie that started it all, and it’s still one of the best entries in the franchise. The film introduced us to a galaxy far, far away and some of the most iconic characters in movie history, including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford). The film’s groundbreaking special effects and epic scope changed the landscape of blockbuster filmmaking forever, and its influence can still be felt in modern movies today.

The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back is widely considered to be the best Star Wars movie of all time, and it’s not hard to see why. The film takes the story in a darker, more complex direction, introducing us to iconic characters like Yoda and Boba Fett and culminating in one of the most shocking plot twists in movie history. The film’s exploration of themes like family, loyalty, and the nature of the Force make it a deeper and more resonant movie than its predecessor, and its impact on the franchise and pop culture as a whole cannot be overstated.

The Force Awakens

The Force Awakens is the first movie in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and it’s our pick for the best movie in the franchise. The film strikes the perfect balance between honoring the legacy of the original trilogy and forging its own path, introducing us to new characters like Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) while also featuring the return of fan-favorites like Han Solo and Chewbacca. The movie is a thrilling, emotional ride from start to finish, and it sets the stage for some of the most exciting entries in the franchise yet.

In conclusion, while ranking the Star Wars movies is a subjective task, we believe that this definitive list takes into account the critical reception, box office performance, and cultural impact of each entry in the franchise. Whether you agree with our rankings or not, there’s no denying that Star Wars has left an indelible mark on pop culture, and the franchise shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.