Tier List

Star Wars Movies Ranked: The Complete Tier List (2026)

All 11 live-action Star Wars films ranked from S-tier to D-tier. Then build your own Star Wars tier list with head-to-head comparisons.

The Complete Star Wars Tier List

Every Star Wars fan has a ranking, and no two agree. Below is a complete S/A/B/C/D tier list of all 11 live-action theatrical films, original trilogy, prequels, sequels, and anthology entries. Build your own definitive version in minutes with Shortlist.

The Empire Strikes Back

Episode V · (1980)

The darkest, smartest, most emotional Star Wars film. Still the ceiling.

Star Wars: A New Hope

Episode IV · (1977)

The film that rewrote Hollywood. Every frame is iconic.

Return of the Jedi

Episode VI · (1983)

Ewoks aside, the throne room sequence is one of the best ever filmed.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Anthology · (2016)

The Vader hallway scene alone justifies this film's existence.

Revenge of the Sith

Episode III · (2005)

The prequel that actually delivered. Anakin's fall still hits hard.

The Force Awakens

Episode VII · (2015)

A nostalgia hit that works. Rey, Finn, and Poe felt fresh.

The Last Jedi

Episode VIII · (2017)

The most divisive Star Wars film. Swing big, miss some, hit a lot.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Anthology · (2018)

Better than its troubled production suggests. Donald Glover is great.

The Rise of Skywalker

Episode IX · (2019)

Rushed ending to the sequel trilogy. Felt like two movies in one.

Attack of the Clones

Episode II · (2002)

Yoda fight slaps. Romance subplot drags.

The Phantom Menace

Episode I · (1999)

Pod racing and Duel of the Fates can't save the politics and Jar Jar.

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Star Wars Movies in Order: Release vs. Chronological

Two legitimate viewing orders for Star Wars, and the order you pick affects how much you enjoy certain reveals.

Release order (1977 → present): Episodes IV, V, VI, I, II, III, VII, VIII, IX, plus Rogue One and Solo wherever they fit. Preserves Vader's reveal and the original films' visual style.

Chronological order: Episodes I-IX in sequence, with Rogue One between III and IV and Solo between III and IV. Spoils Vader but makes the Skywalker saga one continuous story.

Machete order (a fan favorite): IV, V, II, III, VI. Skips Episode I entirely. Keeps Vader's reveal and minimizes prequel pain.

How to Build Your Own Star Wars Tier List

Making a definitive Star Wars ranking is the one argument every fan wants to win. The fastest way to build one, without a spreadsheet, is head-to-head comparisons in Shortlist:

Create a Star Wars list in the app. Add all 11 films (or only the ones you care about, skip the prequels if you must).
Compare head-to-head: the app shows you two Star Wars movies at a time. Tap the one you prefer.
After 15-20 comparisons, your complete tier list is done. Empire probably ends up at #1. Probably.
Share your list: every Shortlist ranking gets a share link. Send it to the group chat, post it on Instagram, or X.

Our movie tier list guide explains the head-to-head approach in more detail.

Should You Include the Star Wars TV Shows?

The Mandalorian, Andor, Ahsoka, and The Clone Wars aren't in this list because they're TV, not movies. But they're great, and Andor might be the best Star Wars story since Empire. See our TV show tier list guide for how to rank those separately.

Best and Worst Star Wars Movies: The Consensus

Critics, fans, and Rotten Tomatoes mostly agree on the extremes, and fight loudly about the middle.

Consensus best: The Empire Strikes Back. Near-universal #1.
Consensus worst: The Phantom Menace. Jar Jar-related discourse is older than some fans.
Most divisive: The Last Jedi. Either a masterpiece or a disaster, depending on who you ask.
Most improved reputation: Revenge of the Sith. Memed into greatness, now genuinely beloved.

Star Wars Tier List FAQ

How many Star Wars movies are there?

There are 11 live-action theatrical Star Wars films: the original trilogy (IV, V, VI), the prequel trilogy (I, II, III), the sequel trilogy (VII, VIII, IX), and two anthology films (Rogue One, Solo). Plus The Clone Wars (2008) animated theatrical release if you count it.

What's the best Star Wars movie of all time?

The Empire Strikes Back (1980) tops nearly every ranking: fan, critic, or filmmaker. The darker tone, Yoda's introduction, Han and Leia's chemistry, and "I am your father" make it untouchable.

In what order should I watch Star Wars for the first time?

Release order (IV, V, VI, I, II, III, VII, VIII, IX) is the most popular recommendation for first-time viewers because it preserves the Vader reveal. Machete order (IV, V, II, III, VI) is a fan favorite for skipping the weaker prequel elements.

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