Saber Forum

Now that Rogue One is out, talk will inevitably turn to how it stacks up against the other movies in the franchise. While all movies are subjective (there is no right or wrong answer) and it probably being contingent on whether you grew up with the original trilogy or the prequels as your first avenue into the galaxy far far away, here is my list.

PS - I have purposely left The Clone Wars animated feature off the list.

1- The Empire Strikes Back
2- A New Hope
3- The Force Awakens
4- Return of the Jedi
5- Rogue One
6- Revenge of the Sith
7- The Phantom Menace
8- Attack of the Clones

I grew up with the original trilogy and as  you can probably see, it didn't really matter.  This is my list as it stands right now:

1- The Force Awakens
2- The Empire Strikes Back
3- Revenge of the Sith
4- A New Hope
5- Return of the Jedi
6 - The Phantom Menace
7- Attack of the Clones
8- Rogue One

1 and 2 are really are a tie for me.  Rogue One didn't do it for me at all, so it's a blip on my Star Wars radar at present.

My favorite Star Wars movie rankings...

1- The Empire Strikes Back
2- Return of the Jedi
3- A New Hope
4- Rogue One
5- The Force Awakens
6- Attack of the Clones
7- The Phantom Menace
8- Revenge of the Sith

Just my Opinion  ;D

1- Return of the Jedi
2- The Empire Strikes Back
2'- A New Hope
4- Rogue One
5- Revenge of the Sith
6- The Phantom Menace
7-
8-
9-
...
96-
97- Attack of the Clones
98- The Force Awakens

1.) The Empire Strikes Back
2.) Return of the Jedi
3.) A New Hope
4.) The Phantom Menace
5.) Revenge of the Sith
6.) Rogue One
7.) Attack of the Clones
8.) The Force Awakens

1. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
2. A NEW HOPE
3. RETURN OF THE JEDI
4. THE PHANTOM MENACE
5. REVENGE OF THE SITH
6. THE FORCE AWAKENS
7. ROGUE ONE
8. ATTACK OF THE CLONES

1. The Phantom Menace
1. Attack of the Clones
1. Revenge of the Sith
1. Rogue One
1. A New Hope
1. The Empire Strikes Back
1. Return of the Jedi
1. The Force Awakens

 :)

 ::) :o ;D  I totally agree!!!

Missed this. +1

Only as far as TFA is at the bottom of the list.

Outside of Khan and KDP, pretty universal that attack of the Clones sucked ass! I hate that one. Total waste of film and movie. It's like star trek IV, the voyage home. Waste!

Mine:
1) The Empire Strikes Back
2) Return of the Jedi
3) The Force Awakens
4) Rogue One
5) A New Hope
6) Revenge of the Sith
7) The Phantom Menace
8) The Ewok Adventure
99) Lack of Attack of the Clones

The Ewok Adventure.  LMFAO.  Have an imaginary point.

To be honest, it scared me. That big ole monster. Creepy!

1) Revenge of the Sith
2) Attack of the Clones
3) Empire Strikes Back
4) A New Hope
5) The Phantom Menace
6) Return of the Jedi
7) Rogue One
8.) The Force Awakens

Yes, I saw the prequels first, and yes you read that right. AOTC is in 2nd.

I guess I'm not liking what Disney's doing. I had a hard time deciding between R1 and TFA. In the end it was THE Vader scene that put R1 on top. I almost want to go see it again just for those 20 seconds.

I had a similar struggle between ROGUE ONE and THE FORCE AWAKENS because neither film has a stellar script. It ultimately came down to the fact that I like the characters in TFA more (even though the ROGUE ONE characters have more consistent psychologies) and TFA had a more rousing climax than ROGUE ONE. To extrapolate more on the both films' climaxes, neither one sets up their big moments well, but Rey pulling the lightsaber from the snow is so incredible in the moment that it tops all of ROGUE ONE's third act, even if ROGUE ONE has a land/space battle that's among the best in the series.

I'll likely enjoy more of ROGUE ONE on rewatches, but nothing in that movie will be as affecting as when Rey retrieves the lightsaber from the snow, and I'd much rather spend my time with Rey, Finn, Kylo, and Poe than any character from ROGUE ONE (aside from Chirrut because he's the best).

Revenge of the Sith
Return of the Jedi
Empire Strikes Back
Rogue One
A New Hope
The Force Awakens
Phantom Menace
Attack of the Clones (The Clone Wars series could easily substitute this movie, and there would be loss in story at all).

1: ESB
1: ROTJ
2: ANH
2: ROTS
3: TFA
4: TPM
4: AOTC

Not sure about R1 yet, but I am thinking 2

Confused on your numbering

I think he means they're a tie. He can't choose one over the other, so he didn't.

Yeah, the ones that have the same numbers are all about the same IMO.

Not even 1A, 1B?

Not really, I did put them in order of which one is higher, but they are still the same rank.

1. ROTJ
2. ESB
3. TFA
4. ROTS
5. TPM
6. AOTC
7. R1
8. ANH

You're fired.

Interesting order of preference... this fascinates me, and I think I understand your logic, especially seeing R1 and ANH at the bottom together.

You have not the Power....and bite me :P


Why is it interesting?

It surprised me to see R1 and ANH at the bottom and episodes 1-3 in the middle. It's actually refreshing to see a different point of view when so many, including myself, place ANH in the top three and Episodes 1-3 closer to the bottom. I'm curious why you chose that order if you don't mind sharing.   ::)

Here is my list;

1:ESB
2:R1
3:ANH (updated version)
4:ROTJ
5:ROTS
6:TFA
7:TPM
8:AOTC

If it was the original AHN rather than the butchered version it would swap positions with R1 also AOTC and TPM are pretty hard to split (both being pretty dire), in the end for me Darth Maul tips it in favour of TPM. Perhaps TFA will move ahead of ROTS when more of the context of its trilogy is known.

Not at all...Gladly.  First let me say I hate none of the films..this is just the placement of my enjoyment.  These will be quick and dirty.

1. ROTJ- My no.1 because we get to see Luke's final step to becoming a Jedi...from Farm Boy to Hero.  It was grand from begging to end and the final Saber duel was chill inducing.  Perhaps not as action packed as say Ep. 1 duel but the emotion and stakes made it very intense.

2. ESB- We get to see Vader throwing his weight around more as well as Luke's Journey (again, that is something I focus on).  We get more exposure to the Force and introduced to Yoda.

3. TFA-  the fact it felt so much like the OT wasn't a turn off for me...its what I wanted.  None of the new directions of the story bother me like they do some and I like the idea that the Villian is on the same type of Journey as the Hero.  Now doesn't mean I didn't have some issues with it but not any that would make me hate it.

4. ROTS- Again, the feel of the OT near the end puts it higher as well as the story interested me more than the rest of the Prequels.  The Duel was disappointing though.

5. TPM- Middle spot for Maul only.

6. AOTC- Was really bored by this film..the only things that mattered were Anakin's Murder of the Raiders, his and Padme's love growing and The Clone Wars starting..all could have been handled in a more interesting way I felt.  Really I would say watch TPM then the Clone Wars then ROTS.

7. R1- (SPOILERS) I have stated before I feel the Anthology films are a bit of a waste.  Never have I wondered about the people who stole the plans.  It was a plot point nothing more..making a whole movie about it and making new characters that are just going to die in the same film.  It almost seemed it was made just to answer the constant jokes about the Exhaust port.  Because now we know was sabotage.  Now, as a film (other than the music) it was well put together and of course the scene of Vader Unleashed is worth seeing the film for.

8. ANH-  And now the placement that confuses everyone when they hear it.  ANH deserves a place in film and pop culture history, there is no argument there.  It showed audiences something no one had seen and began a tidal wave that is still going to this day.  BUT..I feel it is the weakest of the films.  You can really tell the direction was a bit different than the rest of the films as well as the aesthetics.  I understand why all this was but it still is a film I really have no need or desire to watch that much.   I am willing to admit it may have to do with the fact I saw ESB and ROTJ first then saw ANH a few years afterwards.  

Awesome write up. Thanks for taking the time to do that.  I really appreciate your perspective on the films. Point awarded.  ;D

1. Rogue one
2. The Empire Strikes Back
3. Return of the Jedi
4. The Force Awakens
5. A New Hope
6. Revenge of the Sith
7. The Phantom Menace
8. Attack of the Clones

At least no one has listed the Christmas Special.