The Star Wars franchise is one of the most iconic and beloved sci-fi universes in cinematic history. It has produced some of the most successful films in history, both critically and financially.
Since its debut in 1977, Star Wars has been a cultural phenomenon, and its impact on cinema and pop culture cannot be overstated.
While the franchise has typically enjoyed remarkable success, there have been a few instances where some of its films fell short of expectations. In this article, we will show every Star Wars film, ranked by box office returns, from the biggest disappointments to the most record-breaking successes.
A Legacy of Success and Divisive Opinions
The success of Star Wars at the box office is well-documented. With its iconic characters, groundbreaking special effects, and immersive world-building, Star Wars continues to attract audiences across generations. However, alongside its success, the franchise has also been a breeding ground for fierce debates and divided opinions.
Fans frequently engage in civil—and sometimes uncivil—discussions about the films, often focusing on the direction the series has taken.
The release of new films or TV series inevitably sparks these debates, contributing to the franchise’s ever-present relevance in popular culture. Despite these divisions, the Star Wars franchise has maintained its place as one of the highest-grossing in history, with only a few notable box office disappointments.
The Disappointments: Films That Underperformed
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) Worldwide Box Office: $68.2 million
Before The Clone Wars animated series became one of the most beloved aspects of the Star Wars franchise, it was kicked off by a feature-length animated film in 2008. Unfortunately, this film did not fare well at the box office, earning only $68.2 million worldwide.
Directed by Dave Filoni, who would later become a key creative force within Lucasfilm, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is often considered the one true box-office failure in the entire Star Wars catalog.
While the movie delivered a healthy profit compared to its modest $8.5 million budget, it is universally disliked by fans and critics alike.
Many argue that the quality of the film pales in comparison to the acclaimed animated series that followed. However, it serves as an essential stepping stone for the development of the beloved TV series, which significantly contributed to its lasting legacy in the Star Wars universe.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Worldwide Box Office: $392.9 million
Solo: A Star Wars Story was meant to expand the Star Wars universe by focusing on the origin story of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, Han Solo. However, the film faced intense skepticism from fans, particularly because it did not feature Harrison Ford in the lead role.
Alden Ehrenreich was cast as the young Han Solo, which led to mixed reactions from audiences. Fans questioned whether a Han Solo origin story was even necessary.
Despite receiving decent reviews from critics, Solo: A Star Wars Story grossed $392.9 million worldwide, barely surpassing its massive production budget.
With reshoots and a high marketing cost, the film did not bring in the significant profits expected from a Star Wars movie. In retrospect, many fans believe the film was unfairly judged, but it remains the lowest-grossing live-action Star Wars film by a considerable margin.
The Successes: Box Office Hits from the Original and Prequel Trilogies
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) Worldwide Box Office: $482 million
While Return of the Jedi was a major success, it did not perform as well as the two previous installments in the original trilogy. Released in 1983, it marked the conclusion of the original Star Wars saga, and expectations were sky-high, especially after the legendary “I am your father” reveal in The Empire Strikes Back.
Despite being the lowest-grossing film of the original trilogy, Return of the Jedi still managed to gross $482 million worldwide, more than $440 million above its production budget.
The film’s final act, which sees the Rebel Alliance triumph over the Galactic Empire, remains iconic. While it may not have achieved the same box office numbers as its predecessors, Return of the Jedi is still regarded as a huge success, cementing its place as one of the most important and beloved films in the Star Wars saga.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Worldwide Box Office: $550 million
The Empire Strikes Back is widely regarded as one of the best Star Wars films, if not the best. Directed by Irvin Kershner, the film took the franchise to darker and more mature places than its predecessor, solidifying its critical and financial success.
Despite its relatively modest budget of $30.5 million, The Empire Strikes Back grossed $550 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1980.
The film’s darker tone, emotional depth, and the shocking reveal of Darth Vader’s identity set it apart as a cinematic masterpiece. Audiences flocked to theaters, making The Empire Strikes Back a major box office success. Its influence can still be felt in modern filmmaking, and it remains a benchmark for how sequels should be made.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) Worldwide Box Office: $653.7 million
Despite mixed reviews, Attack of the Clones was another commercial success for the Star Wars franchise. Released in 2002, it followed the much-anticipated The Phantom Menace and grossed $653.7 million worldwide. Although not as highly regarded as some of the other films, the movie’s stunning visual effects and epic battles kept audiences engaged.
Attack of the Clones may not have been the highest-grossing film of the year, as it faced stiff competition from other blockbusters like Spider-Man and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, but it still performed well at the box office.
It is, however, often considered one of the weaker entries in the saga, with its dialogue and pacing frequently criticized. Despite this, Attack of the Clones succeeded in moving the story forward, and its box office returns reflect the enduring appeal of the Star Wars franchise.
The Record Breakers: The Biggest Box Office Hits
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) Worldwide Box Office: $775.3 million
The original Star Wars: A New Hope is where it all began. Released in 1977, this groundbreaking film not only redefined the sci-fi genre but also set a new standard for cinematic storytelling and special effects.
Made on a modest budget of $11 million, A New Hope grossed an astonishing $775.3 million worldwide over the years, making it one of the most successful films of all time.
The film introduced audiences to characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader, and its cultural impact cannot be overstated. A New Hope became a cultural phenomenon, attracting audiences from around the world and laying the foundation for one of the most successful franchises in history.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) Worldwide Box Office: $850 million
Revenge of the Sith, the final film in the prequel trilogy, is widely regarded as the best of the three prequels. It grossed $850 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2005.
The movie provided fans with the long-awaited moment when Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) finally became Darth Vader, a pivotal event in the Star Wars saga.
The film’s emotional depth, combined with its thrilling action sequences, helped it become a major box office success. Over time, Revenge of the Sith has become more appreciated by fans and critics alike, and its legacy within the Star Wars franchise continues to grow.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) Worldwide Box Office: $1.046 billion
The Phantom Menace was one of the most anticipated films of all time, being the first Star Wars film to be released in sixteen years.
Despite its polarizing reception, it was an undeniable box office success, earning over $1.046 billion worldwide. Fans were eager to see the beginnings of characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, and this excitement drove millions of viewers to theaters.
While many criticized the film’s dialogue and pacing, the visual effects and action sequences were groundbreaking. Despite its flaws, The Phantom Menace played a crucial role in reintroducing Star Wars to a new generation of fans.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) Worldwide Box Office: $1.058 billion
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was the first standalone film in the Star Wars universe, and it proved that the franchise could thrive outside the Skywalker Saga. Grossing $1.058 billion worldwide, Rogue One was a major hit, offering a grittier, more grounded take on the Star Wars universe.
With no Jedi or Skywalkers in sight, the film told the story of the rebel group that stole the Death Star plans, leading directly into the events of A New Hope.
The film’s serious tone and compelling performances resonated with audiences, and it remains one of the most beloved Star Wars films outside the main saga.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015) Worldwide Box Office: $2.071 billion
When The Force Awakens was released in 2015, it was the first Star Wars film in over a decade and the beginning of a new trilogy.
Directed by J.J. Abrams, the movie was highly anticipated by fans and casual viewers alike. The film went on to gross an incredible $2.071 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Fans were excited to see the return of beloved characters like Han Solo, Leia, and Luke Skywalker, as well as the introduction of new characters such as Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren.
While The Force Awakens was praised for its nostalgic feel and its exciting action sequences, it also faced some criticism for its similarities to A New Hope. Nonetheless, its massive box office earnings cemented Star Wars’ place as a dominant force in the entertainment world.
