Looking for a list of the best Star Wars movies? As Disney Plus releases new Star Wars shows for their #MayThe4th celebration we have decided to look back at everything the franchise has to offer. Then you can watch the new material – Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian as well as the much-anticipated finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars – fully prepared. Excited? Us (R2D)too.
All of the best Star Wars movies are ready to stream on Disney Plus today. Not yet subscribed to what we consider to be one of the best streaming services? Don't worry: you can get a free, seven-day trial! See below.
Keep scrolling for the ultimate list of the best Star Wars movies, ranked by the public on IMDB!
Star Wars order:
Just for reference, this is the Star Wars order of movies by release date.
- Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII —The Last Jedi (2017)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Best Star Wars movies: a countdown
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Released in 2016, and the first film in the Star Wars anthology series, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story follows Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) after her father is taken by Galactic Empire. She joins a group of resistance fighters – Diego Luna as Cassain Andor and Alan Tudyk as K-2SO – to steal the Empire's blueprints.
The film grossed $1.056 billion in the box office, understandably, and it's bursting with nostalgia from earlier films. Directed by Gareth Edwards, this Star Wars movie has a high 7.8 out of 10 rating on IMDB.
4. Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015)
Directed by the one and only J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens stars all our faves – Rey, Finn and BB-8 – as they aim to find Luke, the last surviving Jedi, and stop a new order from destroying the New Public. This Star Wars movie is the first instalment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following Return of the Jedi (1983). It made a huge 2.066 billion USD in the box office making it the highest-grossing instalment in the franchise – it had a worldwide net profit of over $780 million. This 2015 movie is rated 7.9 out of 10 by fans on IMDB.
3. Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983)
Throwing us back to 1983, Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi is a fan-favourite for good reason. This classic movie stars Luke Skywalker as he aims to bring his father, Darth Vadar, back to the light side as the Galactic Empire makes a second Death Star to crush the Rebel Alliance. Princess Leia, Sheev Palpatine and Yoda star, too. Great fight scenes paired with incredible performances make this Star Wars movie more than worthy of being the highest-grossing film of 1983. It's rated a high 8.3 out of 10 on IMDB.
2. Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)
Another oldie but a goodie, Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope is more than worthy of second place as Carrie Fischer stars as Princess Leia at the heart of this movie. The leader of the Rebel Alliance is held hostage by Darth Vadar. Luke and Hans aim to free her all while trying to destroy the Death Star. This 1977 movie is the very first instalment of the original Star Wars trilogy to be released. It had 10 Oscar nominations and won seven, it grossed a total of $775 million and surpassed Jaws while it's rated a high 8.6 out of 10 on IMDB.
1. Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
And the very best Star Wars film is... Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back. It's the second film in the Star Wars trilogy and the sequel to A New Hope. Darth Vadar aims to turn Luke Skywalker to the dark side while Yoda trains Luke to become a Jedi Knight. There's a much-anticipated fight scene and the climax is a plot twist that we'll never forget or stop quoting. This sequel is a rare example of a sequel that transcends the original movie, and it grossed a high 547.9 million USD in the box office. It's rated 8.7 out of 10 on IMDB!
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