Every Star Wars Skywalker Saga film ranked from worst to best

A lot of people think of Star Wars movies and expect nothing but space-filled adventures filled epic battles and not much else. What a lot of people fail to realize is that Star Wars films are so much more than that. There is love, there are those epic lightsaber battles, and of course, there is some humor mixed in with that as well.

Not that there is a really bad movie per say, here is a ranking of Episodes 1-9 from worst to best!

9. Episode II: Attack of the Clones

There was so much disobeying of orders in this film. From Senator Padme voting against the act and returning to Coruscant to Anakin Skywalker disobeying Obi-Wan’s order to stay on Naboo, this film was just kinda boring all around. Although, Jar Jar Binks was in this film, and while most people totally hated his character, I thought he brought an element into each one of his films that sort of made certain ones, much like Episode 2.

8. Episode IV: A New Hope

No, this isn’t towards the bottom of my preferred list because it’s one of the original ‘older’ trilogy movies (yes, if you can believe it, some people are like that and act butt-hurt). It seems like this film was all about rescuing a damsel in distress (Luke and Han rescuing Princess Leia), and while that’s all good and well, I feel like the plot could’ve focused on other things to do a better job of luring even more people in, given that this was the franchise’s first ever film in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga.

7. Episode I: The Phantom Menace

While this film is towards the bottom of my list, it is where things only begin to turn dark, which is why a certain film is number one on my list, but more on that one later on. Here in Episode 1, Palpatine shares his desire to become Chancellor which ultimately leads to the Trade Federation’s attack on the planet of Naboo. You might see the word ‘attack’ and think that there are a lot of battles and duels…nope. Far from that. From some flat acting and other boring character-to-character discussions, this film leaves us wondering why or what should’ve been.

6. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Here, we find out that the evil Emperor Palpatine has not died, despite what we thought we learned from the hands of Darth Vader. Finn and Poe ultimately lead the Resistance to put a stop to the First Order’s plans to form a new empire, while Rey anticipates the inevitable confrontation that she knows that she’s got to have with ‘enemy’ Kylo Ren. What’s bad about it (just the film in general)? Here’s my two main things: (1) Rose should’ve been highlighted more for all that she did, could’ve done, and ultimately went through and (2) Finn. Never. Tells. Rey. What. He. Wanted. To. The mere second, no millisecond that Finn returned down back to Earth, I just knew that we were doomed and never ever going to hear what he had to tell her…so disappointing.

5. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

This is when Rey is showing even more signs of being one with the force. This is when a much older Luke Skywalker is having a peaceful and solitary existence only to be completely and totally interrupted by Rey herself, looking to be taught and learn the tried and true ways of the force itself. There’s supposed to be this sort of fear that the audiences get from watching General Hux and the First Order on our screens, but there was almost too much humor elements added into the film instead that essentially diverted said fear away from all of us. I personally like the dark and scary (no I love it, actually) films of (almost) any genre, and for me, while I love a good comedy film as well, I just didn’t necessarily get what I truly wanted out of Episode 8 for me.

4. Episode VII: The Force Awakens

This is where the ‘newer’ era of Star Wars is truly at it’s peak (if you ask me). We first learn of Rey and Finn (FN2187) and their journeys to help Han Solo and Chewbacca restore peace within the galaxy. Along with Poe Dameron (he’s oh, so cute) and BB-8, we learn of and watch their fight to find Luke Skywalker as well. One of the best BB-8 moments is watching him roll across the sands with Rey, where we learn that Rey truly does value friendship when she’s not willing to trade him for greater ‘portions’. To some people, this is where the franchise as a whole takes a turn for the worst. To those people, here’s what I’d say, “Watch it again.”

3. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

This is the infamous Episode where Jedi Luke Skywalker is in search of Master Yoda on the planet of Dagobah. With Yoda’s help only, Luke will be able to escape the dark side of the force. This film, if you didn’t already know it, is sort of the turning point in Luke and Darth Vader’s relationship as a whole, as we learn of their Father/Son relations. I would love to go back to this film’s original release to see people’s authentic and raw theater reactions to hearing the infamous line that people still always seem to say wrong (cue in the Mandela Effect). It comes as a very real surprise to Skywalker himself, unable to believe it at first…at all. This is such a pivotal moment in the franchise as a whole because we begin to learn that although Vader is complete and pure evil, that some will do anything for family (in the upcoming episodes, that is).

2. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Okay, so truly a whole heck of a lot happens within this film as a whole, and that’s why I like it so much. Here’s what we find out in the episode…Master Yoda unfortunately feels that he is at his ‘resting’ point after over 900 years of life, laughter (which is one of my favorite parts of Yoda while watching the teaching tree burn with Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi – Episode 8), and teaching people and many other Jedi prospects/children the ways of the force. Also happening within this episode, Darth Vader essentially sacrifices himself for the saving of his son, Luke’s life, where the mask that was once keeping him alive, finally comes off, only to reveal a really old Anakin willing to do anything for his son (family comes first, I guess, right). I also don’t care what anyone says, but Episode 6 has the best ending within the entire franchise, and it’s not even my number one movie! If you don’t get teary-eyed at everyone’s force ghosts smiling and enjoying the forest party, then you’re a monster…truly.

1. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

And now, ladies and gentlemen, for the moment that you’ve all been waiting for! The best Star Wars film in the Skywalker Saga is Episode 3. This episode is dark, this episode is scary (it really honestly is to some), and let me tell you, a dark and scary and sickly twisted Anakin, before he officially becomes Darth Vader, is super hot. The Duel and Mustafar (the infamous fiery planet) happens between Luke and his Master, Obi-Wan and makes you think that one of them won’t make it out of said battle alive. This whole entire film as a whole takes you on a super intense, dark and scary 2 hours and 20 minute ride that is more than sure to leave a lasting impression for years and even more years to come…just like it did with me. It’s definitely one of the most re-watchable movies of all time, if you ask me (yes, I had it on a few weeks ago). And having a film be so re-watching is hard for any franchise in general!

That’s a wrap on the official ranking of Episodes 1-9 of Star Wars the Skywalker Saga!

How do you think this list holds up to your own? Was anything missed or not talked about as much you thought that it should be? Let’s chat all about it below! May the force be with you all!