Disney Plus is now live in many parts of the world. If you’re a Star Wars fan, there’s good news: you can stream any feature film in the space fantasy series with a Disney Plus subscription. Now all of the Star Wars films are on duty. But which Disney Plus Star Wars films are the best?
The best Disney Plus Star Wars films
1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
George Lucas might have thought he was making a children’s movie when he came up with Star Wars. In the end, the release of this film in 1977 exceeded all genres and age groups. At its core, it is a space fantasy story of a farm boy, Luke Skywalker, who dreamed of leaving home for adventure.
Lucas’ original film has humor, action, and suspense. It also had visual effects years ahead of any other science fiction film, making this story of galactic conflict even more real to an audience.
This version of A New Hope is the 1997 Special Edition version with unwanted and distracting new effects and sequences. Even so, and the new Macklunkey edition of the Han Solo Greedo shootout, it’s still an all-time classic.
2. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back was the most anticipated sequel to the film ever released at the time. The 1980 film, directed by Irvin Kershner, still contains a few memorable sequences. These include the fight on the ice world of Hoth and Luke’s first face-to-face fight against Darth Vader, which ends with perhaps one of the greatest twists and turns in film history. It’s also the first time the audience has met Lando Calrissian and Yoda.
It also has a pretty bleak ending for a space fantasy film. All of these features and more have highlighted The Empire Strikes Back, and it is for sure one of the best Star Wars movies on Disney Plus.
Again, this is the Special Edition version of the film, although this time around the new visual effects aren’t quite as annoying.
3. Star Wars Episode V: Return of the Jedi
The third and final film in the original Star Wars trilogy didn’t quite have the impact that the first two films had. However, the 1983 release directed by Richard Marquand still completed the plot very successfully. It also introduced us to Jabba the Hutt and the first full appearance of the Emperor, the true antagonist of the trilogy. We also have an epic lightsaber duel between Luke and Vader, a massive space battle and a daring fight on a sailing barge. There is also the Battle of the Endor Moon, which involves the small and furry Ewoks, about whom many have mixed feelings.
We’ll point out that this is the Special Edition version of Return of the Jedi. There are some new pictures and a whole music video in Jabba’s palace and especially some additional scenes in the finale.
4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
With this 2016 release, we can finally see some of the untold backstories behind the Star Wars universe in a live-action movie. This is a grainier version of the space opera franchise, with a number of characters coming together to secure the Empire’s first Death Star plans. This includes Jyn Erso, the daughter of the man who designed the spherical space station. We also see Darth Vader as we have never seen him before – as a really powerful agent of the emperor. It all ends in a great battle in space and on the planet Scarif. Rogue One is kind of a Star Wars movie that we’d like to see more of after the Skywalker saga is over.
5. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Disney bought LucasFilm in 2012. Three years later, fans finally got what they wanted for so long: an official sequel to the saga that showed what happened after the return of the Jedi ended. Co-writer and director JJ Abrams created a movie that added new characters to the mix, including the mysterious Rey and a cute new droid called BB-8. We also have some recurring favorites, including an old but still quick witted Han Solo and his companion Chewbacca. Many critics have since felt that this film was essentially a remake of A New Hope. There were just enough new plot changes and character evolutions for our money to make this movie stand out. This includes the death of a loved one. So bring your tissues.
6. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
The second part of the new trilogy has definitely sparked some debate among Star Wars fans. Writer and director Rian Johnson definitely took the film in a direction that most fans didn’t see coming. For our part, The Last Jedi is uneven but still has some of the best scenes in the sequel to the trilogy. Oh, and the handkerchiefs have to come back.
7. Solo: A Star Wars Story
Star Wars has a rich history of alluding to events without fully explaining them – look no further than Obi-Wan, who mentions the Clone Wars in a new hope. On the other hand, the franchise also tends to explain the backstories of characters and events, regardless of whether fans ask for that information or not. Solo: A Star Wars story falls into the latter category, but it actually offers a breathtaking adventure that many Star Wars fans will appreciate.
In this prequel film, we learn how Han Solo got his name, met the lovable Chewbacca and slick Lando Calrissian, and even how he got his DL-44 blaster. Openness is the key to enjoying this movie.
8. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
This is for sure the best movie in the Star Wars trilogy. The 2005 film was the first Star Wars film to be rated PG-13, and it shows. It becomes a more mature topic as the Sith’s final plans manifest. We also get what is possibly the best lightsaber battle ever between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. The movie still suffers from too many digital effects for some people’s tastes, but it’s still a good movie overall.
8. Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker marks the epic conclusion to the Skywalker saga. The film follows Rey – who is now a Jedi in training – as well as Finn, Poe, Chewbacca, C-3PO, BB-8 and newcomer DO as they unravel the secret behind Darth Sidious’ Final Order. It all happens as Supreme Leader Kylo Ren chases our protagonists across the galaxy.
While The Rise of Skywalker has some of the best single moments in the entire Star Wars film franchise, many points in the film feel rushed. Granted, there were a lot of unanswered questions related to this movie and many criticize director JJ Abrams for asking more questions than he answered.
9. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace has something for all ages. Younger viewers love Jar Jar Binks and Anakin Skywalker’s first galaxy adventure. Older viewers are no doubt getting more out of the political turmoil and wars that are slowly engulfing the galaxy. And we don’t care what galaxy you come from; The epic lightsaber fight between Darth Maul, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn is hard to beat.
The phantom threat has its appeal, but ultimately it is too inconsistent for many viewers. There are some slapstick comedy beats that are 100% kid-centric. However, the film also suffers from political foray and a tangled plot that many people are still puzzled about today.
10. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Attack of the Clones introduces us to Hayden Christensen as the older Anakin Skywalker. His performance may be stilted, but it fits the overall style of the film. It’s a bit hard to understand why Natalie Portman’s Padmé Amidala would fall in love with the guy even if he’s a Jedi. Attack of the Clones still has some nice sequences, including a final battle between the clones and the droid army. We also see Christopher Lee for the first time as Count Dooku, who is brilliant in the role.
Honorable Mention Disney Plus Star Wars Film: Empire of Dreams
For true fans of the original Star Wars trilogy, this two and a half hour documentary is a must see. Made in 2004, it’s about the making of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. There’s also plenty of behind-the-scenes footage and new interviews with the cast and crew of the films.