Recommended Free Tools
My ranking puts The Empire Strikes Back first, but it is a judgment call—not an official verdict or a measure of consensus. I’m ranking the 11 released theatrical feature films in the Star Wars franchise: the nine live-action Skywalker Saga episodes, plus Rogue One, Solo and the animated theatrical film Star Wars: The Clone Wars. That scope matters: Disney+ defines the Skywalker Saga as Episodes I–IX, while StarWars.com’s release-order guide also includes the theatrical spin-offs and animated film.
I weighed storytelling, character development, pacing, visual craft, emotional impact and rewatchability. The result favors films that work both as individual stories and as part of the larger saga; it is not the order to watch them in.
![Star Wars Original Trilogy: 3 Movie Collection Set (IV V VI) (A New Hope / The Empire Strikes Back / Return of The Jedi) - [4K UHD + Blu-Ray, Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/410qxY1auTL._SL160_.jpg)
![Star Wars: The Complete Saga (9-Disc Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KTKxL-sTL._SL160_.jpg)
![Star Wars Original Trilogy: 3 Movie Collection Set (IV V VI) (A New Hope / The Empire Strikes Back / Return of The Jedi) - [4K UHD + Blu-Ray] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DI1z-jpDL._SL160_.jpg)
My ranking of the 11 theatrical Star Wars movies
- The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V): The franchise’s most compelling balance of character, tension and scale. Its story gives the heroes meaningful setbacks, deepens the central relationships and ends on an unresolved note that makes the next chapter feel essential.
- A New Hope (Episode IV): A remarkably self-contained adventure: a clear mission, an accessible set of characters and a decisive climax. It introduces the world without requiring viewers to know anything beforehand, which is a major part of its lasting strength.
- Rogue One: The strongest standalone entry in my ranking. Its focused mission gives the film a different shape from the family-centered saga, and its ending connects directly to the opening situation of A New Hope. Lucasfilm identifies it as the saga’s first standalone feature film.
- Return of the Jedi (Episode VI): A satisfying conclusion to the original trilogy, with a powerful resolution for Luke and his father. Its plot takes a few detours, but the emotional payoff makes the journey worthwhile.
- The Last Jedi (Episode VIII): The sequel trilogy’s most daring entry. It makes its characters confront failure and inherited expectations rather than simply repeat earlier victories. That choice gives the film its own identity, even when its shifts in tone and direction do not work equally well for every viewer.
- Revenge of the Sith (Episode III): The prequel trilogy’s most consequential chapter, turning Anakin’s fall and the Republic’s collapse into the saga’s tragic hinge. Its emotional destination is powerful; the rapid progression toward it can make the character turns feel compressed.
- The Force Awakens (Episode VII): An energetic reintroduction built around a strong new trio and a mystery that invites the audience in. Its close echoes of A New Hope make it an effective launch, though less surprising as a story on its own.
- Solo: A Star Wars Story: A breezy, watchable adventure with a natural fit for the heist-and-crew format. It is enjoyable in the moment, but its collection of origin-story explanations gives it less emotional weight than the higher-ranked films.
- The Phantom Menace (Episode I): A visually distinctive opening to the prequel era, with memorable world-building and a story that expands the political landscape. Its measured pace and emphasis on institutions can leave the central characters at a distance.
- Attack of the Clones (Episode II): Important to the larger story because it sets up the conflict and relationships that lead into Episode III. The romance and investigation plots do not always move with the same momentum, making it the hardest episode for me to revisit.
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 animated film): A feature-length introduction to the animated series, with an emphasis on setting up characters and adventures that continue beyond the film. It is most rewarding for viewers already interested in that corner of the universe; as a standalone theatrical story, it is the least satisfying entry for me.
What this ranking includes—and what it doesn’t
The nine numbered episodes are the Skywalker Saga: Episodes I–III, IV–VI and VII–IX. The three other theatrical features included here are Rogue One, Solo and the 2008 animated The Clone Wars. The ranking does not include television films, series, shorts or other screen stories. StarWars.com’s viewing guide lists theatrical films alongside series and provides a release-order guide; Disney+’s Skywalker Saga guide covers the nine episodic films.
The list is bounded to the theatrical films identified in those guides, not a claim that the franchise’s theatrical catalog can never change. If a new feature is released, it belongs in a future version of an “all the movies” ranking.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match#1 Best Overall
Why the ranking differs from a watch order
Quality order and viewing order answer different questions. A ranking asks which films I think work best; a watch order asks when to see each film. The Skywalker Saga’s chronological sequence is Episodes I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX. Release order begins with A New Hope and follows the films’ theatrical debut sequence, including the spin-offs and animated feature. The official guides offer those ordering contexts, but neither establishes a quality ranking.
For a first viewing, release order preserves the sequence in which audiences encountered the story and its revelations. For a rewatch focused on the in-universe timeline, the chronological sequence can be useful. StarWars.com contributor Jamie Greene expresses a personal preference for release order in his viewing-order essay; that is a preference, not a rule. As StarWars.com’s guide puts it, “Whichever order you choose…is the right one!”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use the ranking
Start with the top of the list if you want my strongest picks; start with A New Hope if you want a self-contained entry point. If you already know the main saga and want a different kind of story, Rogue One is the standalone choice. For anyone deciding what to watch next, treat the list as a set of recommendations rather than a required sequence: the best order depends on whether you value release history, chronology or a particular corner of the galaxy.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
