Star Wars is a cultural phenomenon with a massive fan following. The epic space opera franchise has produced some of the most iconic movies in Hollywood history.
But which one is the most popular? Let’s find out.
The Original Trilogy
The original Star Wars trilogy, released between 1977 and 1983, consists of Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. These three films are widely regarded as classics and have been beloved by fans for decades. But which one of them is the most popular?
A New Hope
A New Hope was the first Star Wars movie to be released, back in 1977. It introduced us to Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader.
The movie was a massive success at the box office and went on to win several Academy Awards. However, despite its significance in starting the franchise off with a bang, A New Hope is not considered by many fans as the best of the series.
The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back is often cited as the best Star Wars movie ever made. Released in 1980, it continued the story from A New Hope and took it in darker directions.
The reveal of Darth Vader as Luke’s father (spoiler alert!) shocked audiences around the world and solidified the villain’s place as one of cinema’s greatest ever antagonists.
Return of the Jedi
Return of the Jedi brought an end to the original trilogy in 1983. It saw our heroes take on Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine for one final time in an epic battle on Endor. While it may not be considered as good as The Empire Strikes Back by some fans, Return of the Jedi still holds up well today and is fondly remembered by many.
The Prequel Trilogy
The prequel trilogy, released between 1999 and 2005, consists of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. These movies were highly anticipated but ultimately divisive among fans.
The Phantom Menace
The Phantom Menace was released in 1999 and marked the return of the Star Wars franchise after a long absence. Despite being a huge box office success, fans were disappointed with the movie’s heavy use of CGI and its lackluster story.
Attack of the Clones
Attack of the Clones was released three years later in 2002. It saw Anakin Skywalker begin his descent to the dark side while a war between the Republic and Separatists raged on. While it had some exciting action scenes, fans were once again disappointed by its clunky dialogue and wooden performances.
Revenge of the Sith
Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005 and brought an end to the prequel trilogy. It showed Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader and set up events that would lead into A New Hope. While it was still criticized for some aspects, Revenge of the Sith was generally considered to be an improvement over its two predecessors.
The Sequel Trilogy
The sequel trilogy, released between 2015 and 2019, consists of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. These movies were highly anticipated by fans who wanted to see what happened after Return of the Jedi.
The Force Awakens
The Force Awakens was released in 2015 and introduced us to a new set of characters such as Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren. It was praised for its strong performances and its ability to capture the spirit of the original trilogy.
The Last Jedi
The Last Jedi was released two years later in 2017 and divided fans like no other Star Wars movie before. Some found it to be a bold and innovative entry into the series, while others criticized it for subverting expectations and ruining beloved characters.
The Rise of Skywalker
The Rise of Skywalker was released in 2019 and brought an end to the sequel trilogy. It aimed to tie up loose ends and provide closure for fans who had been following the series since the beginning. While it was criticized by some for being too safe and predictable, others appreciated its attempts to satisfy fan expectations.
Conclusion
So, what’s the most popular Star Wars movie? It’s difficult to say definitively as everyone has their own opinions.
However, The Empire Strikes Back is often cited as the best of the bunch due to its compelling story, iconic moments, and memorable characters. Nevertheless, all of the movies have their own unique qualities that make them worth watching for any Star Wars fan.
