Every Star Wars fans has engaged in this debate: What are the best films in the series? Here are my favorites.

1. “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”  – Although this wasn’t the first to be made in the Star Wars universe, it does have the best introduction to what Star Wars is about. 

One key thing that went into detail in “The Phantom Menace” was the Jedi, a group introduced in every movie. After watching the film, fans can understand the connection between the Jedi and their roles, they take as peacekeepers of the galaxy.

The movie also had many different and exciting characters that made it enjoyable to watch. One of my favorites, Padmé Amidala, is a strong-headed, intelligent, and powerful Queen of Naboo who cares for her people and stands her ground. 

I also enjoyed the character of Jar Jar Binks, who brought some needed comic relief to the movie. I have some fond memories of shaking my head at him and smiling at his stupidity.

The movie was entertaining, contained many exciting scenes, such as young Anakin Skywalker pod racing on Tatooine, and funny moments with Jar Jar Binks, of course. 

2. “Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back” – This movie had loads of memorable scenes that always tend to pop back in to my mind with the mention of its title. 

The most distinctive parts had to do with the numerous battles Luke had against evil forces. Even though the Battle of Hoth was an exciting part of the movie, I have to say that my favorite was when Luke was fighting Darth Vader on Cloud City. 

I love this battle because we got to see two interesting lightsaber fighting techniques. After training with Yoda on the planet Dagobah, Luke took more of a fencing approach, while Vader has an attack that contains steady strikes together with him slamming his lightsaber on top of his opponents. 

The type of techniques that were displayed alongside the famous line delivered by Darth Vader, “No, I am your father,” is what makes this one of the most intriguing battles I seen.

There were a couple of characters introduced that also helped this movie become great, such as the older, crazier, green hermit of Dagobah, Yoda, and Lando Calrissian, owner of Cloud City. 

3. “Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi” –  “Return of the Jedi” has yet another one of the most famous battles in the Star Wars universe, the Battle of Endor. I loved watching this battle because it showed that even small creatures, such as  the teddy bear looking Ewoks, are strong and powerful against big man-made machines like the AT-ST Walker. 

I also happen to find the ending of the movie to be agreeable. Darth Vader was able to redeem himself a little before his death by saving his son, Luke, from Emperor Palpatine. 

Overall, “Return of the Jedi” is a great family movie about overcoming great obstacles and sparking friendships.

4. “Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith” – “Revenge of the Sith” was the movie that tied everything together for “A New Hope”. 

I love the thought behind Order 66, a code set in clones programing to turn on and kill all Jedi in their path when activated. It was a good explanation for why the Jedi had to flee and hide, and why many thought their kind was extinct. 

The reason why Anakin and Padmé’s baby twins Luke and Leia were split up was expertly planned as well. Since both babies were powerful in the force, Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan took Leia to raise and Obi-wan Kanobi took Luke to Tatooine so their powers wouldn’t be so easily detected by other force users. 

The movie had a great story that sparked many emotions such as the sting of betrayal Obi-wan felt when Anakin defected to the dark side and the loss of the beloved Padmé when she died right after childbirth. 

5. “Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope” – “A New Hope” has a great storyline and many memorable characters, such as Luke, Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca. If anything, the movie ‘s name tells the story. It was all about a rebellion built on the sparks of hope for a better life away from the suppressive grasp of a cold Empire.
6. “Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones” –  There were some interesting parts, places, and characters to this movie, especially the clones, the Droid Factory on Geonosis, and Jango Fett. But this move did have a downside to it, and that was the romance between Anakin and Padmé. Otherwise, this was a nice movie. 
7. “Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi” – “The Last Jedi” made some improvements from “The Force Awakens.”. Rey training was interesting to watch even though Luke, who the Rebellion were trying to find in Episode 7, wasn’t much help until toward the end of the movie when he fought Kylo Ren,  which was the best part of the film. Though Luke dies, he was successful in the fight, by connecting to the force to save another rebellion by distracting Kylo Ren long enough for them to escape. 
8. “Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens” –  I started the movie thrilled, but was left with discontent in the end. 

There were many interesting characters, such as Rey, Finn, and Poe that were introduced, I was excited to learn of their backstory. But I was left only with what seemed like a remake of “A New Hope.”