We have had this article planned for quite some time now, but this isn’t based on our opinion although a lot actually is. We have been asking people to give us their top 3 Star Wars movies in order and placing the best answers from that.
This will be in order and we will start from the worst all the way up to the best.
9th – Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
I can’t say I’m surprised. Out of all the people we asked, only one person ranked this as their number 1. Whilst The Phantom Menace definitely deserves to be this far down, it isn’t without some great moments. Especially Darth Maul and the end duel at the very end.
Besides that, it was pretty lacklustre. I do believe people when they say that the entire script could have been done in a completely different way. Whilst the good scenes were solid, unfortunately, the others were just bad and incredibly boring to watch. Even for me, surprisingly being born in 1993, this was the first Star Wars movie I watched, and it definitely deserves to be at the bottom.
8th – Episode 2: Attack of the Clones
Most people I speak to, usually refer to this particular episode in such a bad way. Perhaps one of the worst scripts written, especially with the scenes between Anakin and Padme. I’m with them, a lot of it was awfully cringeworthy to watch.
Personally, I think it’s harsh to put it this far down as the movie did have some exceptional moments. The end battle with the Clones, Count Dooku was interesting and it began to reveal Anakin’s dark side when his mother dies, but despite the good moments, similar to Episode 1, the bad moments outshine the positives which is understandable.
7th – Episode 8: The Last Jedi
It’s worth pointing out that nobody selected this movie as their first. At all. A few put it as their second, but it does seem this movie has a certain aspect that some people do like. I believe because Rian Johnson made the movie different. Some people like that, others hate it because they felt like he took everything JJ Abrams did with the 7th episode and ruined it. I’m with the latter.
I rewatched the movie again for the second time recently, and it wasn’t as bad as it was when I first watched it. However, when you watch YouTube videos on how this story could have gone, you realise the potential it actually had. The movie was a disaster for most Star Wars fans, even petitions for the movie to be cancelled and not classed as canon. I do feel like it deserves to be ranked lower than 7th, though.
6th – Episode 9: Rise of Skywalker
I have to admit when we calculated everything I was quite surprised to see this so far down. From what I’ve spoken to people about, a lot do say this should have replaced The Last Jedi and been a further instalment after this. Palpatine returning seemed far fetched, but this is Palpatine after all – he backup plans for his backup plans, for his then other backup plans.
People believe the movie served no real purpose, except adding further plot holes, and unnecessary twists for no reason. Also, for me, the biggest let down of all is that Finn was trying to tell Rey something all movie. We never find out what it is, until AFTER the movie is released. So for me, because of that alone, I can understand why people are upset. Not to mention the other vast amount of issues the movie has.
5th – Episode 7: A Force Awakens
“A rehash of Episode 4”. If you speak to many fans, this is what they will say. Honestly, it’s very difficult to disagree. The plot is almost identical, as is the way it plays out. Except with Luke and Vader in ships, it’s a lightsaber duel. To be honest, the movie does do well although the plot is largely similar. Especially with a stormtrooper turning rogue (albeit they ruined that later).
The return of our OG characters was always welcomed regardless, but because of the similarities in Episode 4, it’s understand why people don’t rate the movie too highly. Plus, judging by people’s responses – they tend to say that Rey just isn’t a likeable character in the movie. I enjoyed the movie and Rey’s character, but I can see why this is ranked 5th. Which in fairness, is still quite high given what’s coming.
4th – Episode 6: Return of the Jedi
This was a close one to the 3rd spot, very close. Around a couple of points difference, but it’s easy to see why. Return of the Jedi is a movie that will live forever. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a Prequel guy as I grew up with them, but this is a movie I just love. I can watch it over and over again and never get bored.
There isn’t many movies that give me the suspense this does. At all. The end scenes with Luke, Vader and the Emperor are so intense, I love it. It shows after a lengthy period of time that Luke finally completes his training to become a Jedi, and does so well in doing it. When you watch this back after the Prequels, you see that Luke basically does a lot of his own training. Plus, after so long, it finally brings Luke and Vader together. Something we never seen. I can only imagine what this would have been like when it was released.
3rd – Episode 4: A New Hope
The movie that changed everything. It’s difficult to realise that this movie came out in 1977. When we look at Avatar when it was released, and how well the movie did. Imagine 43 years ago, what the technology was like and still able to push a movie like this out?
It created the universe we all know and love today. For that, the movie deserves to be high up on any list. Everything was built in such a great way, and this is another movie that will be remembered and watched forever. The movie has been remastered a few times which is understandable, but in any version I watch, I absolutely love. It still ranks as one of my favourite movies ever.
2nd – Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith
I’m not surprised this movie is high up on the list. When we asked people, we asked both the older generation and the younger to make it fair, but I will say this to ANY Star Wars fan, regardless if you like the Prequels or not, you CAN’T knock this. It’s a masterpiece, and every part of the movie is intense because you know it’s about to go down.
It shows up the downfall of the Jedi, something I feel like needed to be told. Hayden did an incredible job with the role, and not to mention it had one of the best duels in movie history at the end with Anakin and Obi-Wan. It lead into the Originals perfectly. For me, with this movie, there isn’t much to dislike. Any Star Wars can appreciate how intense and great this movie is. A deserving title for number 2 if I’m honest.
1st – Episode 5: Empire Strikes Back
A deserving number 1. The monumental amount of people that ranked this 1st was fairly overwhelming. I honestly can’t say I’m surprised. Empire Strikes Back is just a masterpiece, a spectacle and done so perfectly. Imagine being in the theatres when it released when Vader revealed to Luke he is his father?! I wish I experienced that scene alone!
Many people voted this, casuals, younger people, die-hard fans. It was clear to see the favourite is this. There isn’t much more to say other than it’s just a perfect movie. A testament to how a Star Wars movie should be done.
So there we have it. We only included Episodes 1-9, meaning Rogue One and Solo weren’t included. A lot of people did rank Rogue One quite high mistakenly before we let them know the movie wasn’t included, so I do suspect Rogue One would have ranked quite high.
What’s your list? Let me know down in the comments below.
*Please note, this isn’t just our own opinion although we did throw our list into the hat to be voted. We asked more than 100 people, so the results were clear how this list would have went. There was only a couple of them that were closely tied.*
