Is The Empire Strikes Back really the best Star Wars movie, or is that just nostalgia talking? Depending on who you ask, the greatest entry in the galaxy far, far away varies greatly (The Last Jedi's placement on this list shocked me).
Love them or hate them, the critics have spoken, and Rotten Tomatoes has the receipts. Below, we’re ranking all 11 live-action Star Wars films by their Tomatometer scores. Some picks might surprise you (if you love Kylo Ren's redemption arc, look away), while others have aged into classics that critics and audiences alike weren’t so sure about the first time around.
From A New Hope to The Rise of Skywalker, here’s how the entire slate of live-action Star Wars films stacks up.
1. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) – 94%
The film that started it all still hits like a cultural meteor. Critics praise its pioneering visual effects, John Williams’s iconic score, and George Lucas’s storytelling that forever changed blockbuster cinema. And who can forget Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford’s incredible chemistry onscreen? In many ways, A New Hope is more than a movie. It’s the foundation of modern fandom.
2. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – 93%
Darker, deeper, and emotionally richer than its predecessor, Empire is often cited as the first movie sequel to be better than the first film in a series. Its emotional resonance and narrative complexity—including Luke meeting Yoda on Dagobah and that legendary Darth Vader twist—continue to define the franchise. Even 45 years later, it sets the standard for cinematic sequels.
3. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015) – 93%
A nostalgic yet fresh re-entry into the Skywalker Saga, The Force Awakens blends familiar banter and new faces, including Daisy Ridley as Rey and Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron. While not universally loved by diehard fans, critics responded strongly to its emotional beats, standout performances, and top-notch visuals. It reminded a new generation why Star Wars matters, and it brought Carrie and Harrison briefly back together onscreen (my personal favorite aspect of this film).
4. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017) – 91%
Rian Johnson’s wildly divisive Star Wars movie earned critical applause for subverting expectations, while many fans panned it for, among many reasons, Luke Skywalker’s characterization. Though this particular entry in the canon continues to illicit strong opinions from fans on both sides of the aisle, film critics applauded its emotional ambition and willingness to challenge sacred lore. Love TLJ or hate it, it certainly does make people feel something.
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) – 84%
Typically ranked highly among the Disney-era releases, Rogue One offers a gritty, war-film perspective within the Star Wars galaxy. Praised for its emotional journey, top-tier storytelling, and narrative ties to A New Hope, it was a critical success that gave rise to both seasons of Andor. It also gave us what some consider the best Darth Vader scene in franchise history.
6. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) – 83%
The original trilogy finale wraps up the struggle between the Rebellion and the Empire with heart, action, and one of the most iconic redemption arcs in movie history. Critics feel it's not as groundbreaking as A New Hope and Empire, but ROTJ still delivers a satisfying and emotionally rich conclusion. Plus, it has Ewoks.
7. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) – 79%
Widely considered the strongest film in the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith earns praise for its dark tone and visual spectacle, though fans and critics alike note its occasionally clunky dialogue. Nonetheless, Palpatine’s rise and Anakin’s fall still pack a punch – and who could forget The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?
8. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) – 69%
This Han Solo origin story is underappreciated but not without charm. Critics call it a “flawed yet fun and fast-paced space adventure,” noting Alden Ehrenreich and Donald Glover’s magnetic chemistry as young Han and Lando Calrissian in a time long before Cloud City. This one is better on rewatch, once you stop expecting Harrison Ford, because, frankly, nobody on earth can be Harrison Ford.
9. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) – 61%
Though awkwardly written at times, Attack of the Clones is commended for its visual effects and political intrigue that was not as prevalent in earlier films. Critics tend to see it as an improvement over Phantom Menace, but the infamous prequel-era dialogue still drags it down. It's the love story that launched a thousand memes, mostly about sand.
10. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) – 54%
Although it is praised for flashy visuals and world-building, Phantom Menace falters critically under the weight of an exposition-heavy script and its notable lack of character development (not to mention the fact that Qui-Gon Jinn dies well before his time). In short, it’s a visually dazzling but disappointing start to the prequel trilogy. At least there’s “Duel of the Fates."
11. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) – 51%
Critics called out Disney’s final chapter in the Skywalker Saga as rushed and overly reliant on fan service. Visually spectacular but narratively flat, TROS tries to please everyone and ends up pleasing very few. Key character arcs are reversed, and plot twists come seemingly out of nowhere. It’s not without its moments—John Williams delivers a final masterclass—but it often feels like a frantic race to the finish rather than a satisfying goodbye.
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