The Star Wars universe is expanding, with a new installment in the franchise, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” premiering May 22 with a 63% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes as of publication.
But where does the movie stack up among every other Star Wars feature film? Here’s how our entertainment correspondent Jason Guerrasio ranked them all.
12. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)
“The Rise of Skywalker” finally answers some key questions raised by “The Force Awakens,” but at what cost? Unfortunately, the movie feels more like a device to address fan concerns than a well-crafted story.
Sure, the visuals are stunning and some of the performances — especially Adam Driver as Kylo Ren — are top-notch. But it often feels like paint-by-numbers storytelling.
In the past, this movie had been higher up on the list, but “The Rise of Skywalker” hasn’t aged well.
11. “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018)
Ron Howard’s look at a young and idealistic Han Solo (played respectably by Alden Ehrenreich) is a real mixed bag of great action, questionable plot points, and a conclusion that seems to go on forever. At times, the movie tries to play too cute with its forced jokes, and there are some moments that are groan-worthy — like the reveal of how Han got his last name and that cameo at the end.
However, Donald Glover playing Lando Calrissian is a major highlight (in fact, the whole section of the movie where he’s involved is the best part) and this chapter of the franchise is one of the most beautifully shot.
Still, at the end of the day, “Solo” is one of the most forgettable “Star Wars” movie of the Disney era.
10. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” (2026)
In the midst of the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, Disney decided it was time for Mando to hit the big screen. Instead of going forward with a fourth season of “The Mandalorian,” show creator Jon Favreau pivoted to helming the first feature-length “Star Wars” movie since “The Rise of Skywalker.”
A lot has happened in the seven years since “The Rise of Skywalker” — namely, that “Star Wars” fans have become more accustomed to seeing the franchise on the small screen. That’s the biggest flaw in this feature telling of “The Mandalorian.”
While the stakes are high as Mando (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu set out to track down Jabba the Hut’s son, Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White), the payoff isn’t nearly as cinematic. Even “Solo” had a bigger scope and feel.
9. “The Phantom Menace” (1999)
George Lucas has said from the beginning that “Star Wars” was made for kids, and he took that to heart when he unveiled “Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” 16 years after finishing the groundbreaking original trilogy. The movie introduces viewers to Anakin at the age of 9, as he’s deemed by Qui-Gon Jinn as the “chosen one” who will bring balance to the Force.
While the first prequel features a lot of tame action, the best part of the movie is its villain, Darth Maul, who has a thrilling duel with the Jedi at the end of the movie. It’s one of the only goosebump moments in the whole movie — and sadly, you have to wait over an hour to get to it.
Despite its flaws, and giving the world Jar Jar Binks, “The Phantom Menace” has grown on me more since having kids and watching them enjoy it. Yep, George was right all along.
8. “Attack of the Clones” (2002)
There’s a lot to enjoy about the second episode in the prequels — mainly, how Ewan McGregor has fit into the Obi-Wan Kenobi role. The movie focuses heavily on his storyline as he encounters Jango and Boba Fett as well as Count Dooku. From a nostalgic standpoint, the last third of the movie brings to life dreams you’ve had for decades, as Lucas gives us the start of the Clone Wars as well as Yoda in a lightsaber battle.
7. “Revenge of the Sith” (2005)
The conclusion of the prequel trilogy is one of the saga’s darkest. A grown Anakin is seduced by the dark side of the Force and wipes out the Jedi, including the younglings (!). Padmé dies, but not before giving birth to their twins, Luke and Leia.
The most agonizing part of this movie to sit through is Hayden Christensen’s performance as Skywalker. While conflicted with the dark side, he seems more like a sniveling 20-something than a disillusioned “chosen one.” We can only partly blame Christensen: Lucas was never big on giving actors instructions, which proved to be costly here.
We won’t get a good depiction of the seductive agony of defecting to the dark side until Adam Driver comes along to play Kylo Ren in “The Force Awakens.”
On the bright side, “Revenge of the Sith” features another excellent performance by McGregor as Kenobi, and the duel at the end of the movie between Skywalker and Kenobi is worth the wait.
6. “Return of the Jedi” (1983)
The final film in the original trilogy accomplishes what it needed to, closing the chapter by answering many of the questions that were floating around for years.
Looking back on the movie as a standalone, however, it doesn’t have the lasting impact “Episode IV” and “Episode V” had in tone and storytelling.
5. “The Force Awakens” (2015)
“Episode VII” of the saga is a wonderful combination of old and new, celebrating the legacy of the franchise while laying the foundation for the new cast. Director J.J. Abrams cleverly capitalizes on nostalgia for the older “Star Wars” movies — all the more reason you must sympathize with Lucas, who had to come up with heavily original storylines for the prequels.
4. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016)
“Rogue One” introduces fascinating new characters, and the story cleverly answers the question, “What happened before Darth Vader boarded Princess Leia’s ship in the beginning of ‘A New Hope’?” It scores major points for its originality within a franchise that sometimes feels like it has no new ideas.
The beautiful thing about this movie is how it grows more and more appreciated as the years pass. Director Gareth Edwards had to power through a slew of reshoots, but the end result is a movie that is quickly becoming one of the most beloved and cherished in the franchise.
3. “The Last Jedi” (2017)
Director Rian Johnson pulled off an almost impossible task by bringing an original spin to the “Star Wars” saga. His attention to the nuances of the franchise, as well as his deep dive into the Jedi mythology, leads to an emotionally charged movie with many shocking moments (and laughs).
Despised by some and applauded by others, regardless of where you fall, on the spectrum, you have to respect this movie.
2. “A New Hope” (1977)
The one that started it all. There’s no denying the greatness of the original “Star Wars” movie. Lucas did things visually, and with an original score, that changed not only the sci-fi genre but the idea of a blockbuster itself. Though we love and worship this franchise because of what was accomplished in “Empire Strikes Back,” if it weren’t for “A New Hope,” the franchise wouldn’t be what it is today.
1. “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)
Stepping aside and letting director Irvin Kershner and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan take the reins of the sequel to “Star Wars” was the smartest decision Lucas ever made. The fresh sets of eyes allowed the story to expand beyond a typical tale of good versus evil and into a dark, multi-layered story.
Opening the movie with Luke being attacked by a wampa, followed by the Rebels being smoked out of their secret base by the Empire, showed that all bets were off — anything can and does happen in this movie. The reveal of Darth Vader as Luke’s father is still one of the greatest twists in movie history. But as the years go by, it’s the shot of Han Solo frozen in carbonite that still gets me.
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