For over four decades, the Star Wars saga has been a cultural phenomenon, seeding galaxies not just far, far away, but right here in the hearts of obsessive fans. But with great fandom comes endless debates, and one eternal flame war revolves around ranking the movies. To hardcore fans, this isn’t just popcorn talk; this is a careful dissection of legacy, lore, and the pure magic that first pulled us into George Lucas’s iconic universe.

Here’s the definitive (not really, we’ll still argue about it) ranking of every live-action Star Wars movie, crafted with the typical opinions of the true fanbase. Buckle up your flight suit, because we’re going in order from the worst to the worthy legends.

12. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

“The dead speak!” Was this an epic finale or an over-correction of everything divisive about The Last Jedi? For most fans, The Rise of Skywalker was less of a celebration and more of a scramble to wrap things up. From shoehorning Emperor Palpatine back into the story with zero build-up to Rey’s highly controversial “Palpatine bloodline” twist, this film felt like it couldn’t decide whose story it was trying to tell.

Sure, the visual effects were jaw-dropping, and moments like Ben Solo’s redemption had emotional power. But these moments were mired in a narrative that felt rushed, overly nostalgic, and, frankly, messy. “Finality” should be the emotional high of the Skywalker Saga—but this one left many fans questioning how we even got here.

11. The Phantom Menace (1999)

It’s hard to overstate the hype for The Phantom Menace in 1999, and harder yet to overstate the collective, crushing disappointment. This movie should’ve been a home run, giving us Jedi in their prime, galactic politics that lead to tragedy, and Liam Neeson being badass. Instead, we got… midichlorians.

Jar Jar Binks will forever be a thorn in the side of Star Wars fandom (he’s got a weird cult following now, but come on, really?), and young Anakin’s stilted dialogue didn’t help. That said, The Phantom Menace isn’t all bad. Darth Maul is a top-tier villain, and the Duel of the Fates is legitimately one of the greatest lightsaber fights the franchise has to offer. Plus, John Williams’ score elevates even the clunkiest moments into something epic.

10. Attack of the Clones (2002)

If you thought The Phantom Menace was awkward, welcome to the sand-infested romance of Attack of the Clones. Anakin’s painful “I don’t like sand” confession set the internet ablaze long before memes ruled social media. But the real problem? The love story between Anakin and Padmé feels absolutely forced (and borderline creepy).

That said, there’s a lot to geek out over here. From the epic Geonosis battle to Yoda whipping out his lightsaber for the first time, Attack of the Clones is full of fan-service moments. It also ushers in the sinister rise of the Clone Army, setting up the heartbreak to come in Revenge of the Sith. This is far from the best Star Wars entry, but it’s got just enough cool moments to avoid the bottom spot.

9. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Nobody needed Han Solo’s backstory, but we got it anyway. Honestly, Solo is a fun ride, even if it doesn’t feel entirely necessary. Alden Ehrenreich does a solid job as a younger Han, and Donald Glover absolutely steals the show as Lando Calrissian. Chewie is great as always, and the Kessel Run sequence is pure popcorn entertainment.

On the downside, Solo plays it too safe. Fans expected a deeper exploration of Han’s roguish beginnings but instead got predictable twists and tame stakes. It’s a fun heist flick—but maybe not the untouchable story we hoped it would be.

8. The Force Awakens (2015)

The start of the sequel trilogy was actually good! Sure, it’s a retread of A New Hope, but The Force Awakens had energy, heart, and memorable new characters. Rey, Finn, and Poe had great chemistry, and Kylo Ren instantly became a standout villain with emotional depth.

Where it falls short is originality. While it’s exciting to see the Millennium Falcon again or catch glimpses of Luke’s lightsaber, it all feels a touch too safe. Still, for rekindling Star Wars magic in a post-prequels world, fans have to give this one credit.

7. The Last Jedi (2017)

Everyone has an opinion about The Last Jedi, and they’re all LOUD. Love it or hate it, this movie dared to break the mold. Rian Johnson challenged the mythology of the Jedi, gave us a weary and flawed Luke Skywalker, and focused on failures (a rare Star Wars theme).

Not all risks land, though. Canto Bight was largely irrelevant, and fans weren’t exactly thrilled with Luke’s portrayal. Still, Kylo Ren and Rey’s force connection, the throne room fight, and Holdo’s lightspeed maneuver prove this film’s ambition.

6. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Who knew the “Death Star plans” backstory would hit this hard? Rogue One has quickly become a fan favorite, largely thanks to its gritty tone and heartfelt performances. Jyn Erso and her ragtag crew make the ultimate sacrifice, showing a darker side of the rebellion we’d never seen before.

On top of that, Rogue One gave us the single greatest Darth Vader moment of all time. That hallway scene? Chills.

5. Return of the Jedi (1983)

The conclusion to the original trilogy is a classic for a reason. The Battle of Endor, the emotional redemption of Darth Vader, and the final showdown with the Emperor? Perfection.

Sure, Ewoks can be polarizing, but their victory over the Empire plays into Star Wars’ underdog theme. Plus, Luke’s arc comes full circle, evolving into the hopeful Jedi who redeems his father.

4. Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Say what you want about the prequels, but Revenge of the Sith SHINES. The fall of Anakin Skywalker is heartbreaking, Obi-Wan’s “You were my brother!” moment is gut-wrenching, and the political intrigue hits hard.

This movie also delivers lightsaber duel gold. The Mustafar duel remains iconic, and Palpatine’s rise to power is chilling.

3. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Arguably the greatest sci-fi sequel of all time, Empire is dark, complex, and emotionally gripping. From Yoda’s training scenes to Darth Vader’s devastating “I am your father” reveal, every moment is iconic. The film deepened the lore, raised the stakes, and gave us a cliffhanger for the ages.

2. A New Hope (1977)

Where it all began. A New Hope isn’t just a movie; it’s a cultural phenomenon. It introduced us to Luke, Han, Leia, and Darth Vader while crafting a timeless hero’s journey. Everything about it—from the opening crawl to the Death Star trench run—is legendary.

1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Often hailed as the greatest Star Wars movie of all time (with good reason), The Empire Strikes Back is the gold standard for sequels, sci-fi, and blockbuster cinema. Why? Because everything works.

This is the film where Star Wars grew up. It’s darker, more mature, and emotionally charged. Luke learns painful lessons from Yoda about the nature of the Force, training amid Dagobah’s eerie, atmospheric swamps. Meanwhile, Han and Leia’s romance blossoms amid a nail-biting chase through an asteroid field.