Ranking Star Wars Movies
by Whiskeyjack88 | created - 11 Jan 2016 | updated - 17 Dec 2016 | PublicI have recently re-watched all the Star Wars movies (excluding the Clone Wars); here is my ranking of the entries so far (can't wait for Rogue One and VIII):
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1. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
PG | 124 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
After the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
Director: Irvin Kershner | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Votes: 1,380,503 | Gross: $290.48M
Not just the greatest Star Wars movie, but one of the greatest films overall. Some argue that the Duel of the Fates was the best lightsaber battle, but I still believe that Luke and Darth finally facing off was a masterclass of cinema. There is not a single thing from this movie that I would change (and I refuse to buy a blu-ray version of this film until the original theatrical version is remastered).
2. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
PG-13 | 138 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
As a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.
Director: J.J. Abrams | Stars: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson
Votes: 974,061 | Gross: $936.66M
Sure, The Force Awakens took many influences from Star Wars (to me, A New Hope will always remain simply "Star Wars"), but it did so with class and respect to the original, while going a step up and giving us an even more thrilling experience.
3. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Votes: 1,450,370 | Gross: $322.74M
The one that started it all! What it lacks in sophistication it makes up for with originality and a sense of wonder and adventure. I can't quite nail it down, but there's something about this movie that gets me to come back again and again.
4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
PG-13 | 133 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction.
Director: Gareth Edwards | Stars: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen
Votes: 686,845 | Gross: $532.18M
5. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
PG | 142 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Ten years after initially meeting, Anakin Skywalker shares a forbidden romance with Padmé Amidala, while Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a secret clone army crafted for the Jedi.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Lee
Votes: 759,315 | Gross: $310.68M
I know I'll get some heat for putting this above Return of the Jedi... They got the tone right in this one, the action scenes were terrific, and I didn't mind Hayden Christensen as much as I thought I would. There are a few cheesy lines, but he's got some pretty great scenes, such as the one where he finds his mother. Vader is in there somewhere.
6. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
PG | 131 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
After rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.
Director: Richard Marquand | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Votes: 1,121,953 | Gross: $309.13M
Enter the "murder bears"... Why did they have to put Ewoks in this one? If it weren't for the Ewoks, this would probably rank above Star Wars...
7. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
PG-13 | 140 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Three years into the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi pursues a new threat, while Anakin Skywalker is lured by Chancellor Palpatine into a sinister plot to rule the galaxy.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson
Votes: 845,894 | Gross: $380.26M
Anakin's descent into the Dark Side was something to behold, but it didn't live up to what I was hoping it would. Still a great ride, but I'm hoping for more in the sequel trilogy.
8. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
PG | 136 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Two Jedi escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to claim their original glory.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd
Votes: 857,056 | Gross: $474.54M
This was definitely not as bad as people make it out to be... To be honest, Jar Jar is the equivalent of the Ewoks from Return of the Jedi. I actually debated over whether or not this was better than Jedi... At the end of the day, it is a little bit too childish for the most part, but the Duel of the Fates and simply having Liam Nisson in there really go a long way into making this quite an enjoyable ride.
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