The film that launched the franchise. Bested only slightly by its sequel.
In celebration of #MayThe4th and #RevengeOfThe5th, I present to you the nine Star Wars Films in the Skywalker Saga, ranked.
I feel I'm in a position of expertise to be able to do this, so allow me to share my Star Wars credentials. I was born in 1977, the same year that the Star Wars franchise debuted with A New Hope. I was too young to see the follow-up--The Empire Strikes Back--in theatres, but I was 6 years old in 1983. So you know my folks took me to see Return of the Jedi. It's one of my earliest movie memories, and a big reason why I'm not hearing the usual fan criticisms of that particular Star Wars film. It's still a favorite of mine.
When Episodes I-III were finally released, I was in my early twenties. Still young enough to feel a connection to my warm childhood memories of Star Wars, but old enough to not get too starry-eyed. I saw all three films on the day of their release in theatres. I even co-hosted the opening night screening of Revenge of the Sith in Boston, because I was working at WBCN. I brought my buddy Kev, the biggest Star Wars geek I've ever known. He dressed like Darth Vader. Homemade costume. It was memorable.
The 9 Star Wars Films in the Skywalker Saga, Ranked
My kids were the perfect ages for the releases of Episodes VII-IX in the late 2010's, and it was a joy introducing them to Episodes I-VI before that big day in December of 2015. So I've been at arguably the perfect station of life and fandom for the release of the nine Skywalker Saga films. Take a scroll through and see how I rank them all. Then see how YOU rank them in this 12-Inch Poll. Then hit the ROCK 92.9 Facebook or Twitter to yell at me.
9. Attack of the Clones
Remember the first time you saw Episode II? It was the only time you saw Episode II, wasn't it? Same here.
8. The Phantom Menace
Star Wars fans had to wait 16 years for Episode I. It was worth it. Sort of.
7. Revenge of the Sith
The Yoda scenes and the Obi-Wan vs. Anakin battle redeem this one.
6. The Last Jedi
Episode VIII gets a bad rap. It's an incredibly well-done Star Wars movie, it's just a rung below the one that came before and the one that came after it.
5. The Rise of Skywalker
It's not easy to wrap up a nine-film arc and do right by fans old and new. Episode IX did so admirably.
4. The Force Awakens
Anticipation for the first Star Wars film in a decade was sky-high, and Episode VII delivered.
3. Return of the Jedi
When it came out back in '83, fans fussed over the Ewoks. Nonsense. It's an action-packed classic.
2. A New Hope
The film that launched the franchise. Bested only slightly by its sequel.
1. The Empire Strikes Back
The greatest of all Star Wars films.
