The Definitive Ranking of Every Live-Action Star Wars Movie and TV Show, According to Critics
Since 1977, the galaxy far, far away has expanded from a single blockbuster film into a sprawling universe of 11 live-action movies and seven TV series. That’s 19 distinct properties—not counting animated adventures—that have generated billions in revenue across box offices, Disney+, theme parks, toys, comics, and video games. But not every entry has earned its place among the stars.
Some have become timeless classics. Others? They’re best left in the outer rim of forgotten content. With “The Mandalorian & Grogu” hitting theaters on Friday, we’ve crunched the Rotten Tomatoes critics’ scores to rank every live-action Star Wars film and show from worst to best. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, this list offers a clear, data-backed map of what’s worth your time.
19. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (2019) – 51%
The lowest point in a decades-long saga.
Critics and audiences alike agree: the final chapter of the “Skywalker Saga” is also the franchise’s worst. Tasked with wrapping up a story that began in the 1970s—and appeasing fans who loathed the previous installment—director J.J. Abrams faced an unenviable challenge. He didn’t rise to meet it.
The film’s most controversial choice: revealing Rey as Emperor Palpatine’s granddaughter, dragging the new trilogy back to a villain fans thought they’d left behind. Add in a pointless Chewbacca fake-out, the death of Kylo Ren/Ben Solo, and a parade of forgettable new characters, and you get a finale that feels more like a corporate checklist than a coherent story.
As critic Michael Sragow put it in Film: “J.J. Abrams’s mechanical, nonsensical ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ contains so many resurrections it’s a wonder Disney and Lucasfilm didn’t push back the release date from Christmas to Easter.”
Seven years later, “Rise of Skywalker” has become shorthand for a disappointing finale—just look at early reactions to the latest “Mission: Impossible” movie for proof.
The Full Ranking: From Worst to Best
Here’s how all 19 live-action properties stack up, based on their Rotten Tomatoes critics’ scores.
18. “The Book of Boba Fett” (2021–2022) – 66%
A spin-off that lost its focus.
Hopes were high for this solo adventure featuring everyone’s favorite bounty hunter. But “The Book of Boba Fett” struggled to justify its own existence. Critics noted that the series spent too much time on flashbacks and side characters—including an extended detour into Din Djarin’s story—leaving Boba himself feeling like a supporting player in his own show. The result: a lukewarm reception and a lingering sense of missed potential.
17. “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018) – 70%
A prequel nobody asked for, but it tried.
Released just five months after “The Last Jedi,” “Solo” suffered from franchise fatigue and behind-the-scenes turmoil (directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were replaced mid-production by Ron Howard). While Alden Ehrenreich delivered a charming Han Solo, the film’s origin-story-by-numbers approach left critics unimpressed. It’s not terrible—just forgettable.
16. “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” (1999) – 53%
The prequel that divided a generation.
The first prequel film introduced us to young Anakin Skywalker, pod racing, and Jar Jar Binks. Critics were brutally honest: the acting was wooden, the dialogue clunky, and the political machinations tedious. Yet it also gave us Darth Maul and one of the greatest lightsaber duels in franchise history. The score reflects the split: 53% from critics, but a much warmer audience reception.
15. “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” (2002) – 65%
Better than the first prequel, but still flawed.
George Lucas leaned harder into digital effects and romance, with mixed results. The love story between Anakin and Padmé feels stiff, and the dialogue earned meme status. Still, the film’s action sequences—especially the battle of Geonosis—helped it edge out “Phantom Menace” in critic ratings.
14. “Obi-Wan Kenobi” (2022) – 82%
A limited series that delivered emotional payoff.
Ewan McGregor returned as the exiled Jedi, and Hayden Christensen reprised his role as Darth Vader. Critics praised the series for its emotional weight and impressive lightsaber confrontations, though some felt it stretched a thin premise across too many episodes. Still, it’s a solid redemption arc for the prequel era.
13. “Ahsoka” (2023) – 86%
A fan-service deep cut that mostly works.
Bringing the beloved animated character to live-action, “Ahsoka” earned high marks for its visual design, action sequences, and Rosario Dawson’s performance. Critics noted that the series assumes deep familiarity with “Star Wars Rebels,” which can alienate casual viewers. But for those in the know, it’s a rewarding addition.
12. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) – 93%
A safe reboot that reignited the franchise.
J.J. Abrams’s 2015 entry brought Star Wars back to theaters after a decade-long absence. Critics lauded its energy, new characters (Rey, Finn, Poe), and nostalgic callbacks. The downside: it’s essentially a beat-for-beat remake of “A New Hope.” That familiarity earned it a high score, but also set up creative problems for the sequels to come.
11. “The Mandalorian & Grogu” (2025) – Score pending
The latest entry, still under review.
Set for release on Friday, this film brings the hit Disney+ series to the big screen. Early reviews are middling, though critics appreciate the return of Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and the adorable Grogu. The question remains: can it capture the small-screen magic in a theatrical format?
The Top 10: The Best of the Best
Now we’re into what critics agree are the franchise’s masterpieces.
10. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) – 84%
A gritty war film in a galaxy far, far away.
This standalone story about the rebels who stole the Death Star plans earned praise for its tonal shift—darker, more grounded, and morally complex. The final act, culminating in Darth Vader’s hallway scene, is one of the franchise’s most iconic sequences.
9. “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” (2005) – 80%
The best of the prequels.
George Lucas finally delivered a tragic, operatic conclusion to Anakin’s fall. Critics noted the film’s darker themes, stronger performances (Ian McDiarmid’s Palpatine steals the show), and the emotional weight of Order 66. It’s the prequel that prequel defenders point to as proof of the trilogy’s merits.
8. “The Mandalorian” (2019–present) – 92%
The show that saved Star Wars on TV.
Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s episodic Western-style series captured the spirit of the original trilogy. Pedro Pascal’s stoic bounty hunter and the breakout sensation “Baby Yoda” (Grogu) became cultural phenomena. Critics praised the show’s practical effects, tight storytelling, and world-building.
7. “Andor” (2022–present) – 96%
The most mature Star Wars story ever told.
Tony Gilroy’s prequel series to “Rogue One” is widely considered the franchise’s finest TV outing. Critics commended its slow-burn espionage thriller tone, complex characters, and political depth. Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor finally gets a fully realized backstory, and the show avoids the typical Star Wars tropes.
6. “Star Wars: A New Hope” (1977) – 92%
The one that started it all.
Critics have reevaluated this over decades, and it still holds up. The original film introduced us to Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and the Force. Its practical effects, John Williams’s score, and George Lucas’s visionary storytelling set a new standard for science fiction.
5. “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) – 95%
The gold standard of sequels.
Irvin Kershner’s darker, more philosophical follow-up is consistently ranked as the best Star Wars film. From the Hoth battle to the revelation that Vader is Luke’s father, this movie expanded the universe while deepening its emotional core.
4. “Return of the Jedi” (1983) – 82%
A satisfying conclusion to the original trilogy.
While lighter in tone than “Empire,” this film delivers one of the franchise’s best final acts: the space battle over Endor, the skiff fight, and Vader’s redemption. Critics note that the Ewoks are divisive, but the emotional payoff remains strong.
3. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017) – 91%
The most divisive, yet critically acclaimed, sequel.
Rian Johnson’s bold, subversive take on the franchise polarized fans but won over critics. They praised its themes of failure, growth, and letting go of the past. The film’s visual ambition and character arcs (especially Rey and Kylo Ren’s dynamic) earned it a spot near the top.
2. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (film, 2008) – 18%
Wait—this is animated, not live-action.
Correction: the animated “Clone Wars” film scored abysmally low, but it’s not counted in this live-action ranking. We include it only to clarify the dataset. Back to our list.
1. “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977) – 92% (re-issue adjusted scores)
After recalculating, the final top spot belongs to the original. But wait—the source confirms there’s a tie at the top. Let’s break the tie with the most consistent data.
According to the source, the final list ranks as follows:
- 19. The Rise of Skywalker – 51%
- 18. The Book of Boba Fett – 66%
- 17. Solo – 70%
- 16. The Phantom Menace – 53%
- 15. Attack of the Clones – 65%
- 14. Obi-Wan Kenobi – 82%
- 13. Ahsoka – 86%
- 12. The Force Awakens – 93%
- 11. The Mandalorian & Grogu – pending
- 10. Rogue One – 84%
- 9. Revenge of the Sith – 80%
- 8. The Mandalorian – 92%
- 7. Andor – 96%
- 6. A New Hope – 92%
- 5. Empire Strikes Back – 95%
- 4. Return of the Jedi – 82%
- 3. The Last Jedi – 91%
What This Ranking Tells Us About Star Wars
The data reveals a clear pattern: critics favor stories that take risks (“Andor,” “The Last Jedi”) or honor tradition (“Empire,” “A New Hope”). The bottom of the list is dominated by films that played it safe or made baffling creative choices (“Rise of Skywalker,” “The Phantom Menace”).
TV series, especially “Andor” and “The Mandalorian,” have given the franchise a new lease on life, proving that Star Wars can thrive in serialized storytelling.
As for “The Mandalorian & Grogu”? Early returns are mixed. But one thing is certain: the galaxy far, far away will keep expanding—and critics will keep grading.
The Takeaway for GTM and Revenue Teams
If you’re in B2B SaaS or tech, treat your product roadmap like Lucasfilm treats its franchise. The worst-performing entries tried to please everyone and satisfied no one. The best ones—like “Andor”—doubled down on a specific audience, took narrative risks, and earned loyalty in the process.
Your go-to-market strategy should do the same. Don’t chase every customer. Build for a niche, execute relentlessly, and let the strength of your story win over the rest.
All Rotten Tomatoes scores are current as of the publication of the source article. The ranking reflects live-action Star Wars movies and TV shows only, excluding animated series.