All 12 Star Wars movies ranked from best to worst with fans stunned at 'worst'
All 12 Star Wars movies have been ranked by Rotten Tomatoes scores from best to worst, and the results may surprise you as the film often considered the worst is not at the bottom
Initially devised by George Lucas in the 1970s as an adventurous space opera, Star Wars soon escalated into a globally recognised cinematic saga, encompassing over 12 films and numerous TV series. This intense popularity ignited eternal discussions among ardent followers about which instalment is considered the best.
Rotten Tomatoes steps in to address this debate, employing their Tomatometer to arrange the films based on fan adoration. The scores are based on critical reviews, transforming into a percentage that signifies the film's rank, and it appears there's a significant gap between the fan favourite and the least celebrated entry.
Taking the lead with a stellar 94% is the inaugural chapter of the saga, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, which introduced audience favourites. Legendary actors became entrenched as cinematic icons through their roles, with Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford embodying Han Solo, and Carrie Fisher portraying Princess Leia; evidently, fans believe the original was unsurpassable.
One critique mused: "Released in 1977, Star Wars: A New Hope was the theatrical launch of what would become a 48-year cinematic legacy-one that no one could have predicted at the time. What started as a space opera with some unknown actors and a wild vision ended up shaping pop culture and revolutionizing storytelling, filmmaking, and merchandising forever."
However, the most surprising revelation, as determined by Rotten Tomatoes reviews over time, is the bottom three films in the rankings. The 2008 animated film The Clone Wars holds the dubious honour of last place at number 12, with a paltry score of just 15%, reports the Mirror US.
Audience reviews brand the film a "failure" and "dumb," while others draw comparisons to the highly acclaimed TV show of the same name. One viewer even advises: "Just start with the show and erase this from your memory. You'll thank yourself in the long run."
Second from the bottom, with a 51% ranking, is a film that often splits Star Wars fans down the middle - the 2019 release, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Despite the success of the first two films in this sequel trilogy, the third instalment seemed to fall flat and was the lowest-grossing of the trio.
One disgruntled viewer shared on Rotten Tomatoes: "This movie was horrible. It was easily the worst movie in Star Wars history. The second and third movies in the sequels wasted the opportunity that the first sequel movie set up.
"Rey has a horrible character arc and isn't a Skywalker. The saber fights were rigid and boring. "Palpatine somehow returned" and "I am the spy" are two of the dumbest things I have ever seen in a movie."
1999's The Phantom Menace, featuring Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor along with Natalie Portman, is often slammed as the franchise's low point. Yet fan ratings tell a different story, with a 54% overall score pushing it to 10th place - not quite rock bottom.
A review puts it succinctly: "Flawed, but still kind of fun" – rated at 3/5. The film isn't without its issues; occasional slow pacing and some clunky dialogue, yet there are elements that fans can appreciate.
The full list of Rotten Tomatoes ranking
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
For Star Wars aficionados keen on revisiting the saga or those wanting to reassess the lesser-praised instalments, every movie within the iconic universe is ready for streaming on Disney+.
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