When it comes to the world of cinema, few franchises have been as successful and beloved as Star Wars. Created by George Lucas back in 1977, this epic space opera has spawned numerous movies, TV shows, books, comics, and video games over the years.
But which Star Wars film has been the most successful at the box office? Let’s take a closer look.
The Top-Grossing Star Wars Movies
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
As you can see from the list above, the highest-grossing Star Wars movie of all time is Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, which was released in 2015 and directed by J.J. Abrams. According to Box Office Mojo, this movie earned a whopping $2.07 billion worldwide during its theatrical run.
The Force Awakens was highly anticipated by fans for years before its release, as it marked the return of original trilogy stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher to their iconic roles as Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia respectively. It also introduced audiences to new characters like Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).
The Other Top-Grossing Films
Following closely behind The Force Awakens is Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, which earned $1.33 billion worldwide, and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, which earned $1.07 billion worldwide.
The Last Jedi was directed by Rian Johnson and controversially divided fans with its subversions of established Star Wars tropes and character arcs. The Rise of Skywalker, directed by Abrams once again, attempted to wrap up the entire Skywalker Saga in a satisfying way but also received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike.
Other top-grossing Star Wars movies include Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace ($1.02 billion) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith ($868 million).
In Conclusion
While there have been 11 Star Wars movies released to date (including two standalone films), it’s clear that some have been more successful than others at the box office. The Force Awakens currently holds the top spot with over $2 billion in earnings, followed by The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
Regardless of their financial success though, each film has contributed something unique to the Star Wars universe and has helped cement its place in pop culture history. May the Force be with you!
