Since 1977, theStar Warsseries has produced a whopping 11 live-action films. George Lucas, the franchise’s creator, gave us six movies between 1977 and 2005, two separate trilogies that combined to tell a six-part story. Disney took the reins from Lucas and delivered five more movies (plus an endless stream of television shows): a third trilogy that completed what’s now known as the Skywalker Saga and two stand-alone films that were connected to that saga.
There are so many ways to rank these 11 films.you may rank them by worst to best(a very subjective ranking), by chronological order, by release date, by their Rotten Tomatoes critic score, or even by their Rotten Tomatoes audience score. Or you can rank them by the number of times the Force is mentioned in each movie.
11Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) - 0 times
Solo: A Star Wars Storyis a stand-alone film that tells the origin story of everyone’s favorite stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder, Han Solo. Rather than de-age Harrison Ford, Disney cast Alden Ehrenreich to play the young Han Solo. The Force isn’t mentioned a single time throughout the movie, which may sound surprising at first. But when you stop and think about it, is it really that surprising that a movie about Han Solo doesn’t mention the Force?
Until the end ofA New Hope,Han doesn’t believe in the Force at all. “A lot of simple tricks and nonsense,” he calls it. His origin story also doesn’t include any Force users, aside from a brief cameo by Sith lord Darth Maul. Originally, Disney had ambitiously (and stupidly) planned to release aStar Warsfilm every single year.ButSolo’s commercial failure changed that, forcing Disney to put a halt on futureStar Warsmovies and re-evaluate their plan – an outcome that the studio is still grappling with today.
10Attack of the Clones (2002) - 9 times
Chronologically speaking,Attack of the Clonesis the second film in the Skywalker saga. But because it only mentions the Force nine times, this movie falls to the 10th slot on this list.While it may not be the most lovedStar Warsmovie ever,Attack of the Clonesis a pivotal moment in the series. It sets up the Clone Wars and the birth of the Storm Troopers, the blossoming but tragic romance between Anakin and Padmé, and Anakin’s gradual shift to the Dark Side. It’s also the first time we ever see Yoda in action and wield a lightsaber, an awesome and memorable moment in the franchise.
9The Rise of Skywalker (2019) - 10 times
This list is doing a lot of favors forThe Rise of Skywalker. For many fans,this is the worst Star Wars movie of the bunch, due to its disjointed storytelling, rushed plot points, and dissatisfying conclusion. But here, it falls into a three-way tie at number seven for mentioning the Force 10 times throughout the film. Most of those usages come at the very end. During Rey’s battle with the resurrected Palpatine, she’s encouraged to keep fighting and persevere by the voices of deceased Jedi, including Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and of course her mentor, Luke Skywalker.
8The Force Awakens (2015) - 10 times
The Force Awakensis the first entry in Disney’strilogy, the firstStar Warsfilm in ten years. There was so much anticipation around this movie when it was first announced, especially because it was bringing back the actors and iconic characters from the original films. Although it’s basically just a carbon copy ofA New Hope– a droid carrying sensitive information is found by a powerful Force-sensitive individual on a desert planet, and at the end, the good guys have to blow up a bigger version of the Death Star –The Force Awakenswas positively received by audiences and is regarded as the best film in Disney’s trilogy.
Its best mention of the Force comes from Han Solo when he explains to Rey and Finn in a baffled voice, “Crazy thing is…it’s true all of it, the Force, the Jedi, it’s all true.”The Force Awakensmentions the Force ten times, tying it withThe Rise of Skywalkerand the next entry on our list.
Related:J.J. Abrams Admits Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Probably Should Have Had a Plan
7Return of the Jedi (1983) - 10 times
Return of the Jediis the epic conclusion to George Lucas' originalStar Warstrilogy. It revealed Leia’s relationship to Luke, captured the redemption of Darth Vader, and turned Luke into a full-fledged Jedi.Return of the Jedioffered a satisfying finale for its characters – until Disney’s sequel trilogy ripped that away from them 32 years later. The movies mention the Force 10 times from start to finish.
6The Last Jedi (2019) - 14 times
The Last Jediisthe most divisive film in the Star Wars franchise. Some people love it, others absolutely despise it. Even its Rotten Tomatoes score is polarizing: critics rewarded the film with a 91%, while audiences trashed it with a 42%. WhileThe Force Awakensplayed on nostalgia and tradition,The Last Jeditook a different path, veering dramatically from its predecessors in terms of story and character development. Hate it or love it,The Last Jedities at number five on this list for 14 mentions of the Force.
5The Phantom Menace (1999) - 14 times
Darth Maul - Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) 20th Century Fox
The Phantom Menacewas the first installment in George Lucas' prequel trilogy, the firstStar Warsmovie in 16 years. It introduced younger versions of classic characters, such as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, andawesome new characters like Qui-Gon Jinnand Darth Maul. It also introduced midi-chlorians, which provided a controversial scientific explanation for the Force.The Phantom Menaceties withThe Last Jediat 14 mentions of the Force.
4The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - 16 times
The Empire Strikes Backis the second film in George Lucas' original trilogy. ManyStar Warsfans consider it to bethe best film in the franchise, due to its darker tone, iconic plot twist, and memorable new characters and locations. On any other list, this would be number one or two. But here,The Empire Strikes Backdrops to the fourth slot with 16 mentions of the Force. Most of them come from Darth Vader, who wants to convert his son to the Dark Side, and Yoda, who famously shows the hard-headed Luke that size doesn’t matter when it comes to mastering the Force. And apparently, neither does trying.
Related:Here Are 8 Movie Sequels That Were Better Than the Original
3Revenge of the Sith (2005) - 20 times
Revenge of the Sithis the tragic but epic conclusion to George Lucas' prequel trilogy and, at the time, the lastStar Warsmovie we were ever going to see. It captures the long-awaited downfall of Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi order and the rise of Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire. Even though it murders just about every Jedi in the franchise,Revenge of the Sithranks third on this list for mentioning the Force 66 times. Er, I mean, 20 times.
2A New Hope (1977) - 22 times
Here it is,A New Hope. Our first trip to that galaxy far, far away, the firstStar Warsfilm ever made. It makes sense thatA New Hopehas the second-highest count on this list; it’s the first movie to actually tell us about the Force. It explains every aspect, from other characters' beliefs and perceptions of it to what the Force really is. “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power,” Obi-Wan famously explains to Luke. “It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.” But the film’s most iconic line, and arguablythe most famous quote in the franchise, is one that even non-Star Warsfans can recite: “May the Force be with you.”
