A Ranking Of 'The Skywalker Saga' Finales

Star Wars

Apr 9

Star Wars finales fall on a spectrum. It’s either the saddest finale you’ve ever seen or one of the happiest. Each trilogy has happy and sad endings, but I would argue that the prequel trilogy has more depressing finales. I would also argue that Rogue One deserves an honorable mention, though, because that is probably the saddest Star Wars finale. Let’s look at the Star Wars finale's list in the Skywalker Saga.

9. Attack Of The Clones

I will be the first to admit that this movie is not one of my favorites. I find the politics and the final battle super interesting, but the rest of the movie is just dull for me. We see an older Anakin, who is now a Padawan to Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his relationship with Padme. There’s also the politics happening regarding the ongoing Clone Wars. This is the movie that introduces the Clones when Obi-Wan visits Kamino. The ending has one of the coolest battles. The Jedi and the Separatists meet on Geonosis and have an epic battle. We see the death of Jango Fett and the rise of Boba Fett. Anakin and Padme also marry in a private ceremony on Naboo. While it’s a good ending, it’s not one of the best.

RELATED:

Featured

What Is Doonium?

8. The Force Awakens

A new era of Star Wars was born with the sequels. They are highly contested but are still a part of the franchise, no matter what. Rey is trying to figure out who she is. During her journey, she meets Finn and Poe, who become her family. She also joins the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa. She eventually has a goal to find Luke Skywalker. The movie ends with a shocking reveal, where Rey presents the lightsaber to an old Luke Skywalker.

7. The Last Jedi

Unfortunately, this movie continues the trend of the original trio dying. Kylo Ren and the First Order have found the Resistance on Crait. Their chances seem slim until Luke Skywalker faces Kylo Ren head-on. However, he is not there and is force-projecting himself. He can push back the Resistance, but this causes him to become one with the Force.

6. The Rise Of Skywalker

I love this movie, and I am not ashamed of it. Its ending is very similar to Return Of The Jedi. The First Order has been defeated once and for all. Rey channels all the Jedi who came before her to beat Palpatine, and Poe rallies people to his cause. They all reunite and celebrate their victory.

5. The Empire Strikes Back

Where do I even start with this movie? Luke discovers that Darth Vader is his father, and he loses his hand. Leia and Han are separated, after Han is frozen in carbonite, to make up his debt to Jabba The Hutt. The two of them can proclaim their love before his freezing. Looking at it now, it’s not a sad ending, but that’s because we know what happens next.

4. A New Hope

This is one of the happier endings in Star Wars. The first Death Star has been defeated, and the Rebellion has some time to breathe. Unfortunately, their fight is far from over, but it’s nice that they get a small moment of reprieve. Luke and Han were awarded medals for their victory. Chewie was robbed, however, and deserved a medal as well.

3. The Phantom Menace

This was the movie that introduced us to Anakin Skywalker. When we meet him, he is a child slave on the planet of Tatooine. That soon changes when he meets Jedi Master Qui Gon Jin, his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Queen Amidala/Padme of Naboo. Little did he know, they would change his life. They take him off the world to train him as a Jedi. Of course, we know what happens next. Even though we lost Qui Gon, the ending of the movie has a happy ending, with a celebration of Naboo. I love happy endings, so it’s nice that this film has one before everything goes bad.

2. Revenge Of The Sith

This is probably one of the most important finales, as it’s where we finally see Anakin turn into Darth Vader. It also features one of the best fights in the entire series. Anakin has officially turned to the Dark Side. Unfortunately, Anakin won’t listen to reason, and so he and Obi-Wan have their final and iconic fight. The movie ends with a charred and missing limb Anakin being “saved” by Darth Sidious, who turns him into Darth Vader.

1. Return Of The Jedi

I’m biased, but this is my favorite Star Wars movie. I love the vibes of the movie and the Ewoks, who were essential in defeating the Empire. The ending is one of the happiest in the series. The Empire has been defeated, including the second Death Star. Luke has defeated Palpatine with the help of his father. He is reunited with his family on Endor, and they and the Ewoks have a huge celebration that rings across the galaxy.

READ NEXT:

Featured