George Lucas’ Star Wars creation from the 1970s rapidly ascended to become a monumental cinematic legend, spawning over 12 films and numerous TV shows and igniting endless debates among fans over which instalment reigns supreme.
Thanks to Rotten Tomatoes and its famed Tomatometer, enthusiasts can now see how their beloved flicks fare in terms of fan adoration. The rankings, drawn from critics’ reviews, convey the fandom’s final verdict with stark disparities emerging between the crème de la crème and those languishing at the list’s lower echelons.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope topped the charts with an impressive 94%, as cinema-goers were introduced to some of the saga’s most enduring characters. Big-screen stalwarts like Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) cemented their Hollywood statuses, with the first film apparently remaining unsurpassed.
One review said: “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.”
In a surprising turn of events, as determined by Rotten Tomatoes reviews over time, the bottom three films in the rankings have been revealed. The 2008 animated movie The Clone Wars takes the last spot at number 12, with a dismal score of 15%, reports the Mirror US.
Viewer reviews describe the film as a “failure” and “dumb,” while others compare it unfavourably to the highly acclaimed TV show of the same name. One viewer advises: “Just start with the show and erase this from your memory. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.”
The second-to-last spot, with a 51% ranking, is occupied by the 2019 release, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, a film that tends to divide Star Wars fans. Despite the success of the first two films in this sequel trilogy, the third instalment in the franchise seemed to fall flat and was the lowest-grossing of the three released.
A viewer shared their disappointment 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.”
They further criticised: “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.”
The 1999 Star Wars venture The Phantom Menace, featuring Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor along with Natalie Portman, may have been dubbed the weakest link of the saga, but it’s not at rock bottom after fans rated it 54%, securing its place as tenth in line – defying the stigma.
One moderate critique shares: “Flawed, but still kind of fun” – giving it 3 out of 5 stars. Calling The Phantom Menace out on its dragging pace and sometimes clunky dialogue, this review acknowledges that there are elements that make it watchable.
To explore the Rotten Tomatoes rankings for yourself:
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)
If you fancy watching over your preferred episode or reevaluating those deemed less stellar, strap in for a marathon – every single Star Wars film is up for grabs on Disney+.