Every Theatrical Star Wars Movie, Ranked

Here’s something you don’t see every day. Something no one on the internet has ever thought to do. With a new Star Wars movie in theaters, the first in seven years , we’ve decided to put it up against the rest of the series in what we’re calling a ranking of “Star Wars” movies. All kidding aside, while ranking Star Wars movies is a pastime fans have enjoyed since there was a second Star Wars movie, we here at io9 haven’t done one in a long, long time. If ever . So, the team put their heads together, and all agreed that this list, right here, is the definitive one . At least among us. So sit back, grab your lightsaber, and let’s rank all 13 theatrical Star Wars movies. The Empire Strikes Back – Lucasfilm 1. The Empire Strikes Back Really, is there any other way to go at the top of the list? Probably not. The Empire Strikes Back is just everything you love about Star Wars , on screen for the first time, capturing your imagination and never letting go. It’s bold, it’s exciting, it’s emotional, it’s incredible. © Lucasfilm 2. A New Hope The only film that we think even comes close to challenging Empire for the number one spot is this one, the number one Star Wars movie. Without A New Hope , none of the rest would exist. Every time you rewatch it, it sucks you in with its scope, ambition, and imagination. You almost forget just how many places the story goes. How epic it all becomes. It’s a perfect movie that, when compared to its sequel, is just the one you might rewatch a little bit less. Leia and Wicket – Lucasfilm 3. Return of the Jedi After those first two films, the controversy of this list starts to rise exponentially with each pick, starting here. For some, ranking Return of the Jedi third is a no-brainer. It completes the story told by the previous two in a wholly satisfying way. There’s amazing action, character beats, locations, creatures, all of it. Star Wars as a