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There will always be dozens of different debates going on about the Star Wars series. While some fans are concerned about which characters are the most powerful or whether the First Order is better than the Empire, others are concerned with the film trilogies. Everyone has their own ideas when it comes to determining which of the Star Wars trilogies is truly the best.
With nine separate films spread out across five different decades, the three Star Wars trilogies vary quite a bit. There is the original Star Wars trilogy that began in 1977, the prequel trilogy that began in 1999, and the sequel trilogy that began back in 2015. Each of the three trilogies brings something different to the table as they strive to tell the long and winding story that has since become known as the Skywalker Saga. However, which one can stake its claim as the best is a question many struggle to answer.
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What Do Fans Love About The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy?
Star Wars Prequel Trilogy Films | Release Year | Rotten Tomatoes Score: |
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Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | 1999 |
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Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones | 2002 |
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Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | 2005 |
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Typically, fans of the prequel trilogy cite aspects like the soundtrack, action, incredible cast, and plenty of meme-worthy moments that make it so darn good. Unfortunately, there is an obvious sentiment among fans that the Star Wars prequel trilogy is lackluster in comparison to the original trilogy. However, despite that being the trend since the release of the movies, fan support for the prequel trilogy has skyrocketed in recent years. Whereas many had previously said it was the rock bottom for Star Wars, many are now heaping praise on the films. A review from BennettRColes captures fan opinion during the time shortly after the prequel trilogy wrapped up:
Reviews of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy were mixed in the wake of each release date, but in general they were critically well-received, with each movie getting a higher score than the last. Fans were less kind, which suggests that, movie-making techniques aside, there was something missing in this series that had been there in the originals.
Some viewers find a lot to like in the prequel trilogy's characters. Fans love Darth Maul, even though he is far from unique when it comes to the villains of the series. But more importantly, the prequel trilogy takes time to show fans the journey of Anakin Skywalker and everything that led to him becoming Darth Vader. This portion of the story also shows something that neither of the other trilogies do: a thriving Jedi Order. Where there is only a handful of Jedi throughout the original and sequel trilogies, the prequel trilogy is littered with them. One massive battle in Attack Of The Clones features dozens. There may be some lesser-loved aspects, like Jar Jar Binks and the odd focus on government and politics, but those aspects just allow different fans to get a new side of the Star Wars universe.
What Do Fans Love About The Original Star Wars Trilogy?
Star Wars Original Trilogy Films | Release Year | Rotten Tomatoes Scores |
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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | 1977 |
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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 |
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Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi | 1983 |
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It is easiest to find mass praise for the original Star Wars trilogy because fans seem to love just about every aspect of it. This trilogy kicked off everything for the series by introducing legendary characters, showing off the Jedi and the Sith for the first time, and of course, introducing the legendary Darth Vader. The age-old underdog story, following a young nobody rising up to claim their destiny, always resonates with fans. A review from Medium captures the sentiment of most fans perfectly:
They aren’t perfect, but they are very good. They have affected popular culture so much. It’s hard to look at them as they are because their existence is so prevalent in society.
While many fans regard The Empire Strikes Back as the best movie in the franchise, it's not hard to find someone who will make that statement about every movie in the original trilogy. Fans love watching Luke go from a humble life on a desolate planet to the greatest hero that the galaxy has ever known. Unlike the other trilogies, the protagonist's journey feels like a true underdog story from start to finish. Even when Luke grows more powerful, he still suffers at the hands of Darth Vader. This trilogy also has a unique charm thanks to it being the oldest of the three, allowing it to stand out visually from the rest of the series.
What Do Fans Love About The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy?
Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Films | Release Year | Rotten Tomatoes Scores |
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Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens | 2015 |
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Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi | 2017 |
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Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 |
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There are a lot of reasons for fans to love the Star Wars sequel trilogy, despite its many flaws. The new trilogy sought to take bold new swings with a major female lead for the first time. It brought back fan-favorite characters and actors while solidifying new favorites, and managed to continue a story that some may not have expected to directly connect to the original trilogy. The biggest thing that fans can say is that, for the most part, the sequel trilogy is fun and easy to watch. However, for many fans, that doesn’t extend to The Rise Of Skywalker, something that is reflected in a piece from Screenrant:
While the first two films were divisive but still good films as a whole, The Rise of Skywalker pleased almost no one.
While the sequel trilogy may not be for everyone, it does give fans exactly what they want: plenty of fun. This trilogy explores what the world following the fall of the Empire is like, and how things won't always change when one evil is defeated. Certaon elements can feel reused from the original trilogy, but many people can appreciate that level of nostalgia. Fans who watched the original trilogy as kids could experience the sequel trilogy with their own kids. Ultimately, the universe doesn't feel very different from the original series, but the improved production quality and first female in the series lead does make it stand out.
Which Trilogy Is The Best?
It all comes down to what a fan wants from their Star Wars story. The prequels give fans a glimpse into the fall of the Jedi Order and how Anakin became Darth Vader, offering a compelling character study. The original series set a new standard for sci-fi movies by showing Luke Skywalker's journey to help defeat the Empire in a timeless tale of heroism. The sequel trilogy carries on years after the original trilogy to see what has become of the galaxy, and demonstrate that history may be doomed to repeat itself forever. Altogether, it's a fantastic story. But going by the metrics, the original trilogy is the most consistently loved by both fans and critics.
All three Star Wars trilogies are available to stream now on Disney+.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise originally created by George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd with the 1977 motion picture. The science fiction franchise follows the adventures of characters (both humanoid and alien) in outer space including those who can wield a mystical power known as the Force. Since the release of the original trilogy of movies, the franchise has expanded to include multiple films and branched out to other media like comics, video games, tv shows, theme park attractions, and more. The IP and Lucasfilm were sold to Disney in 2012.
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