Star Wars: Every Movie & TV Show Ranked Worst To Best
How does The Book of Boba Fett fare amongst the other adventures from a galaxy far, far away?
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00:00 So this is a big one. With so many movies, TV shows and holiday specials, the Star Wars canon is only going to get bigger from here on out.
00:10 And this franchise means something different to everyone, which makes a list like this ranking everything a truly imposing task.
00:18 Because I'm not going to please anyone. Hell, I might not even please half of you.
00:21 Quite simply, we aren't going to agree on everything here. And you know what? I'd have it no other way.
00:26 As long as the criticism is in good faith, I genuinely can't wait to see what people would chop and change compared to the order we've listed on here.
00:33 And that's because, no matter what, I think we can all agree that Star Wars is bloody good, isn't it?
00:39 So with that in mind, I'm Josh from WhatCulture.com and this is Star Wars, every movie and TV show ranked worst to best.
00:46 Number 22, Star Wars Holiday Special.
00:49 There are a few Star Wars projects that are outright bad, but the Holiday Special is sadly one of them.
00:54 To call it a travesty would be an understatement.
00:57 In fact, it's such a vilified work of temporary insanity that George Lucas once famously said that he'd smash every copy with a sledgehammer if he had the chance.
01:07 Directed by Stephen Binder, the 1978 TV special takes place just after the events of A New Hope,
01:13 and follows Han Solo and Chewbacca as they race to visit the Wookiees' family whilst being pursued by the Empire.
01:19 With its atrociously cheap sets and painfully uncomfortable performances, the Holiday Special really is as bad as it sounds.
01:27 Featuring nonsense sing-alongs, heart-formed characters, and the poor introduction of future franchise legend, Boba Fett.
01:34 Number 21, The Ewoks Spin-offs.
01:37 If there were any characters in the Star Wars universe who didn't need their own spin-offs,
01:41 it probably would have to be the Ewoks who were first introduced in Return of the Jedi.
01:46 But in yet another spell of madness, Lucasfilm thought the idea showed promise,
01:50 so an animated series titled Ewoks and two made-for-TV movies, those being Caravan of Courage and The Battle of Endor,
01:57 were released between 1985 and 1986.
02:01 And sadly again, aside from the Holiday Special, Star Wars as a franchise has never been more empty or meritless than this.
02:09 Number 20, Droids.
02:11 Droids, also known as The Adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2, was originally aired with his companion series, Ewoks,
02:18 and only just manages to rank higher than that misfire because it includes Anthony Daniels.
02:22 With the same dull humor and technically unimpressive aesthetic,
02:26 Droids is yet another wonky attempt to make a kids' TV show by people who seem to have never interacted with a child,
02:33 or Star Wars, before in their lives.
02:36 In attempting to tell audiences what 3PO and R2 were up to between the fall of the Republic and the birth of the Empire,
02:42 the thankfully short-lived series takes much of the magic out of their development,
02:46 so much so that it's occasionally kinda sad to watch.
02:49 Number 19, Star Wars The Clone Wars.
02:52 This intriguing animated movie was released in 2008 as the feature-length pilot to the upcoming Clone Wars TV show,
03:00 and despite some inescapable flaws, remains a landmark installment for the franchise's most recent era.
03:05 Introducing fan-favorite Ahsoka Tano to the saga as the Padawan Learner of Anakin,
03:09 the movie follows the pair as they engage in the early stages of the eponymous war,
03:14 and are eventually called in to help Jabba the Hutt find his missing son.
03:18 Split into shifting segments though, The Clone Wars is choppy and seemingly unfinished,
03:23 watching like three different episodes spliced together,
03:26 but it does well to set the table for things to come, especially where the war and characters are concerned.
03:31 From this point on, things would never be the same again, and Star Wars fans are still reaping the benefits of the stage it's set.
03:37 Number 18, Attack of the Clones.
03:39 Attack of the Clones is the most disappointing of the prequel trilogy,
03:42 because its highs are so bloody high, but good lord are its lows low.
03:48 For one thing, this was the prequel that featured the epic Battle of Geonosis,
03:51 the introduction of the Clone Army, as well as Anakin and Obi-Wan clashing with the nefarious Count Dooku.
03:57 In terms of world-building and character development, it's great to revisit Attack of the Clones
04:00 and realise just how much of it really adds to the Skywalker saga,
04:04 bringing Anakin's darkness out and allowing the galaxy to get one step closer to war.
04:09 The problem with all of this though, and much of the prequel trilogy in general, is the execution,
04:14 which comes complete with a laughably bad script, atrocious performances,
04:18 and a central romance between Anakin and Padme that borders on unforgivable.
04:23 The groundwork is there, setting up big things, but it's seriously kinda hard to get through it at times.
04:28 #17. Resistance
04:31 One of the more underrated additions to the franchise, Resistance is set before the events of the sequel trilogy,
04:36 and follows the Rebels as they spy on the looming threat of the First Order.
04:40 With sharp visuals and a terrific voice cast such as sequel star Oscar Isaac,
04:44 the two-season exploration of the New Republic and the inner workings of the Rebel Alliance
04:48 makes for both engaging and easily digestible fun for the whole family.
04:53 It's not particularly challenging, and suffers in part due to its lack of necessity to the overall story of the films,
04:59 but Resistance is basically what Ewoks and Droids tried to do in the 80s,
05:03 be an exciting kid-friendly adventure show with heart, soul, and wit.
05:08 #16. Visions
05:11 Visions is unlike anything else Star Wars has ever produced.
05:15 Currently consisting of one season and nine episodes, it's an anime anthology series that's not canon,
05:21 but nonetheless is totally in keeping with the legacy of the franchise.
05:25 Each episode of Visions forms its own story, produced by seven different Japanese animation studios,
05:31 giving free reign on what stories they wanted to tell, and how they used the franchise's mythology.
05:36 The final results of this experimental mission are to die for, thanks in large part to its stunning visual appeal,
05:42 and powerful stories that are both unique and recognizable to long-time fans.
05:47 It may not be the Star Wars that fans know and love, but Visions' fresh take on the galaxy far, far away is impossible not to fall for.
05:55 #15. The Phantom Menace
05:57 The Phantom Menace definitely, definitely has its issues, many of them glaring.
06:02 There's the introduction of Jar Jar Binks, Young Anakin's many cringeworthy lines,
06:06 and the heavy-handed politics of the Republic's world-building.
06:10 But there are more virtues to the prequel trilogy's debut than you may remember.
06:14 Amongst them, the strong performances and chemistry of Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson,
06:18 the development of the Jedi Council, and John Williams' epic score.
06:22 Then, of course, there's the film's highlight, The Jewel of the Fates,
06:27 in which Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn clash with the silent villain Darth Maul,
06:31 setting the stage for the chaotic war between light and dark that colors the entire saga.
06:36 Its high points might not be enough to overcome its subtle-as-a-rock storytelling,
06:40 strangely convoluted mythology, or tacky humor,
06:43 but The Phantom Menace is far from being an all-out failure just because of them.
06:47 #14. The Book of Boba Fett
06:49 The most recent series to be added to Star Wars' back catalogue,
06:52 The Book of Boba Fett acts as a thrilling, lore-heavy continuation
06:56 of several major plotlines set up in its groundbreaking predecessor, The Mandalorian.
07:00 Most enjoyably, though, is the way the show has finally given Boba Fett a chance to live up
07:05 to his massively over-hyped legacy,
07:07 portraying him with the steely determination and general toughness that he's always deserved.
07:12 The show is still in its infancy, so it has some key problems currently weighing it down,
07:17 from its struggles to actually keep Boba involved in the action, to its too-clean TV aesthetic,
07:21 but it's already got more than enough twists, turns, and long-awaited character interactions
07:26 to give it a strong start and a bright future.
07:29 #13. The Rise of Skywalker
07:31 As the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, The Rise of Skywalker had a lot riding on its shoulders,
07:36 and for the most part, it kinda squandered its potential.
07:40 Despite some bright spots found in the bracing duels between Rey and Kylo Ren,
07:44 and its striking visual flair, the movie offers up a barrage of unwanted twists,
07:48 such as the sudden return of Emperor Palpatine, and nonsensical character motivations.
07:53 But still, there is a lot to love in here.
07:56 It's clear that the cast still really care about this material,
07:59 and JJ Abrams is trying his hardest to wrap up a sequel trilogy
08:03 that clearly had loads of holes poked into it.
08:06 It's not quite as divisive as its predecessor,
08:09 but The Rise of Skywalker certainly has as many haters as it does fans.
08:14 #12. Solo
08:16 One of the more underrated installments of the Star Wars saga,
08:19 Solo's main issue stems from just how safe and arguably unneeded it is.
08:24 But even then, its visual extravagance and exciting action does make it a worthwhile watch.
08:29 Casting as Soso Alden Ehrenreich as the eponymous smuggler and emerging galactic hero,
08:34 the prequel sheds light on Han's fun pre-Rebel days,
08:37 the origins of his relationship with Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian,
08:41 and his famously speedy Kessel Run, originally teased in A New Hope.
08:45 It's genuinely enjoyable stuff as well, managing to pack enough action and gorgeous effects into the mix
08:50 to overcome the issues with its predictable on-the-nose drama.
08:54 Yes, poring over the vast Star Wars catalogue, Solo does feel like the biggest cash grab it's ever clutched for,
09:00 but it's far from the all-out failure that many wished to paint it as.
09:03 #11. The Bad Batch
09:05 The unexpected but welcome sequel to The Clone Wars,
09:08 The Bad Batch follows a group of mutated clones who survive Order 66 with their minds intact,
09:14 and set out as hidden guns for hire in a world far removed from the one that they once fought for.
09:19 With awe-inspiring animation, it's already proven itself to be a magnificent addition to the canon.
09:24 The voice work of Dee Bradley Baker, mixed with the tightly plotted writing that effortlessly continues
09:29 several major storylines set up in both The Clone Wars and Rebels,
09:33 has made The Bad Batch yet another crowning success for Star Wars' animated landscape.
09:38 And that's without getting into the richly envisioned clone protagonists,
09:41 all of whom, especially Hunter, Omega and Crosshair,
09:44 are surely some of the most colourful characters the franchise has ever produced.
09:48 Bring on the future of this show!
09:51 #10. The Mandalorian
09:53 The Star Wars series that nobody knew they needed,
09:56 The Mandalorian is about to enter its third season and cement itself as a classic of the franchise.
10:01 Thanks in large part to its infusion of Mandalorian mythology,
10:04 heavily influenced by the works of TV shows like The Clone Wars and Rebels,
10:08 and gripping action sequences, the series has hit new highs with each episode,
10:13 and two seasons in, seems to have single-handedly ushered in a new great era for the franchise's fans.
10:19 Its clean production and slight overindulgence on fan servers has dampened things at times, sure,
10:24 but The Mandalorian is still modern Star Wars at its best.
10:28 #9. Revenge of the Sith
10:30 Revenge of the Sith suffers from many of the same flaws as the rest of the prequels,
10:34 most notably a melodramatic script, emphasised by atrocious acting and rushed payoffs.
10:40 But, and it is a big but, aside from its detours into ridiculousness and memeability,
10:46 it's actually pretty damn good. Especially the second half.
10:49 Between some really, really good performances like Ewan McGregor's,
10:53 the haunting execution of the Order 66 sequence,
10:56 and the way that it leans into the good vs evil theme of the saga,
10:59 there is so much to love in this movie.
11:02 It's not perfect, few movies are, but Revenge of the Sith captures the magic and darkness
11:07 of the Star Wars saga almost as well as the originals,
11:10 only with more CGI Yoda and coughing cyborgs who never live up to their potential.
11:15 Also, who could possibly hate the final duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin?
11:19 It makes the movie better whether you initially liked it or not.
11:23 #8. Rebels
11:24 Set several years before the events of A New Hope, Rebels ran for four seasons and 75 episodes,
11:30 and shed some revealing light on the early years of the original Rebel Alliance
11:34 and the effects the fall of the Republic had on the galaxy.
11:38 Uniquely animated to suit the original Star Wars concept art by Ralph McQuarrie,
11:42 Rebels never shies away from the darkest recesses of the saga,
11:46 but with its light humour and endearing gaggle of anti-heroes,
11:49 makes itself fun for the whole family as well as top-tier Star Wars through and through.
11:54 #7. The Force Awakens
11:56 In terms of story, it's tough to argue that The Force Awakens is mostly a rehash of the original trilogy.
12:01 You know, an orphan with a forgotten past is thrust into an intergalactic war
12:05 and finds their true calling as a Jedi Knight.
12:08 But whilst its plot is derivative and sets in motion a story that leaves the events of the previous six movies a little bit forgotten,
12:14 there is still so much to love about the first chapter of the sequel trilogy.
12:19 For one thing, there's the characters, including troubled survivor Rey,
12:22 roguish fighter pilot Poe, former stormtrooper Finn, and conflicted antagonist Kylo Ren,
12:28 all of whom work well with legacy characters such as Han and Leia.
12:31 Even with its divisive cliffhanger and predictable story,
12:34 The Force Awakens is heaps of fun and captures the spirit of the franchise's message and characters beautifully.
12:41 It's aged very well and deserves a major reappraisal.
12:44 #6. Return of the Jedi
12:46 The most common complaint levelled towards Return of the Jedi is that it's a little bit too silly,
12:51 especially when compared to its two classic predecessors.
12:54 Ewoks and the cartoonish Battle of Endor notwithstanding though,
12:57 the final chapter of the original trilogy might actually be the darkest of the three films,
13:02 thanks in large part to Jabba the Hutt's general vileness and Luke Skywalker's final clash with his soon-to-be-redeemed father.
13:10 But it's not all bleak, instead striking a rewarding balance between the saga's heavier twists and its exciting sense of wonder and adventure.
13:19 Even in its lesser moments, there's something here for everybody to enjoy.
13:23 Return of the Jedi brings the trilogy to a fantastic conclusion, all told,
13:27 tying up loose ends and riveting character arcs with violent and heartwarming payoffs to spare.
13:32 #5. The Last Jedi
13:34 Without question the most divisive addition to Star Wars' mighty back catalogue,
13:38 The Last Jedi followed on from the cliffhanger of The Force Awakens,
13:42 as Rey seeks a reclusive Luke's guidance on honing her skills as a Jedi.
13:46 Directed by Rian Johnson, The Last Jedi digs deep into the characters at its centre
13:50 more intensely than any Star Wars vehicle before or since.
13:54 As Luke grapples with the results of his regrettable actions,
13:57 Rey struggles to control her mysterious powers, and Kylo Ren seesaws between villainy and anti-hero.
14:04 On top of that, it's also the most visually beautiful chapter of the entire saga,
14:07 rich with vibrant colour, impressive set pieces, and a final act showdown between Luke and Kylo
14:13 that's one of the best scenes in the franchise.
14:16 It's not flawless, of course, I mean, Leia travelling through space is a little bit silly,
14:20 whilst the Finn and Rose subplot does feel like directionless filler,
14:24 but it's a daring adventure that takes risks and makes them work much better than expected.
14:28 #4. Rogue One
14:30 Yep, that's right, I guess, the one without any Jedi and a large ensemble of never-before-seen characters
14:35 is, in fact, one of the best Star Wars projects of all time.
14:39 Yet another story to take place before the events of A New Hope,
14:43 Rogue One follows a group of mismatched rebel soldiers as they risk everything
14:47 to steal the Death Star plans from a highly protected Imperial planet.
14:51 Visually gorgeous and rife with subtle tragic characters, we really wish had more time,
14:56 the prequel saws thanks to its avoidance of formula.
14:59 There's no prophecies here or super-powered beings battling for the galaxy,
15:03 just everyday people with an eclectic set of skills willing to fight for what they believe in.
15:08 Rogue One is epic, harrowing, and unpredictable stuff,
15:12 but it makes the events of the original trilogy that much richer to revisit.
15:15 It really is that great.
15:18 #3. The Clone Wars
15:20 The best Star Wars show on offer, The Clone Wars is the franchise's most expansive
15:24 and eye-opening descent into the complexities and inner workings of the galaxy,
15:29 confidently shedding light on its politics, the Jedi Order, and the turmoil of conflict.
15:34 Focusing on a wide variety of characters during the titular war,
15:38 the seven-season series told stories about rookie clones, one-off Jedi, bounty hunters,
15:43 behind-the-scenes political betrayal, and more,
15:46 with each development adding a new layer of brilliance to the saga's impressive world-building.
15:51 Aside from its stunning animation, epic battles, and endless supply of engrossing characters,
15:56 The Clone Wars' true power came from how it explored the downfall of Anakin Skywalker,
16:01 his Padawan Ahsoka, and his master Obi-Wan.
16:04 The Clone Wars is such a rewarding experience, mixing the franchise's humour, darkness,
16:09 and heartbreak together perfectly, that there's only two things on this list that can beat it.
16:14 #2. A New Hope
16:16 It all started here, with an orphan farmer called Luke Skywalker who escaped from his mundane existence,
16:22 and along with a princess, an infamous smuggler, a wookiee, two droids, and a weathered Jedi Master,
16:27 became the face of a war without end.
16:30 Undeniably one of cinema's most important cultural landmarks, A New Hope gave birth to the modern blockbuster,
16:35 and set in motion the lives of a group of fantastical characters who continue to shape pop culture
16:40 and the entire Star Wars franchise to this day.
16:43 Yeah, there are aspects of the space opera that haven't aged well,
16:46 from some of the special effects to the lacklustre lightsaber duels,
16:50 but watching it some 40 years later, it's impossible to not be gripped by George Lucas' vision
16:55 and the innovation taking place on screen.
16:58 From here, the Star Wars saga would go bigger, but it would never be this important and unique ever again.
17:04 #1. The Empire Strikes Back
17:07 In the end, there could only be one, couldn't there?
17:09 As obvious a pick as it may be, there's few who can argue against The Empire Strikes Back being the pinnacle of the franchise.
17:16 Taking what was set up in A New Hope, the second chapter of the original trilogy
17:20 finds our assorted heroes stretched thin in a galaxy torn apart by war.
17:24 As Luke Skywalker hunts down the elusive Jedi legend Yoda in an attempt to master his still emerging power.
17:31 With more epic action and emotion than its predecessor,
17:34 The Empire Strikes Back continues to be the gold standard of Star Wars.
17:38 Bursting to life as a thrilling war movie, an engaging tale of good vs evil,
17:42 and a blockbuster that dares to hurt its characters and shock audiences with its secrets.
17:47 From the duel between Luke and Darth Vader that culminates in a devastating twist,
17:51 to the loss of Han Solo and the opening battle of Hoth,
17:54 Star Wars has never been more assured of itself or flawless as it was with The Empire Strikes Back.
18:00 So, that's our list. Like I said at the beginning, this is a big one and I really want to know what you guys think down in the comments below.
18:06 What's your ranking? What do you think of this one?
18:08 And am I dumb for putting The Last Jedi at number 5? Hey, maybe I am.
18:12 While you're down there as well, could you please give us a like, share, subscribe, and head over to What Culture Star Wars
18:16 for more lists and news like this every single day.
18:19 even if you don't know what I mean, Josh, thanks so much for watching, and I'll see you soon.