When Star Wars first hit theaters in 1977, it revolutionized sci-fi and became a cultural touchstone. George Lucas's original trilogy set the bar impossibly high, and even the prequels—flawed as they were—had their defenders. But when Disney took the reins and launched a sequel trilogy between 2015 and 2019, expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, the results were a mixed bag: entertaining in moments, but ultimately disappointing as a whole. Here's our ranking of the three sequel films, from the most frustrating to the one that actually earns its place in the Skywalker saga.
3. Star Wars: Episode IX—The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
J.J. Abrams returned to close out the trilogy, but the odds were stacked against him. The Rise of Skywalker tries to cram too much into one film: resurrecting Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), resolving Kylo Ren's (Adam Driver) arc, and giving Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe (Oscar Isaac) a final showdown. The result is an overstuffed mess that relies heavily on nostalgia—especially the Palpatine reveal, which feels forced compared to the iconic Darth Vader twist in Return of the Jedi. The final battle between light and dark is visually stunning, and Kylo Ren's redemption arc has emotional weight, but the film never lands a satisfying conclusion. Instead, it teases more Rey adventures, leaving audiences feeling cheated. If you've seen Abrams's Lost, you'll recognize his signature: great setup, weak payoff.
2. Star Wars: Episode VIII—The Last Jedi (2017)
Rian Johnson's middle chapter is the most divisive of the trilogy. On one hand, it takes bold risks: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is a bitter recluse, Rey and Kylo Ren share a Force bond, and the Resistance is on the brink of collapse. The Rey-Kylo dynamic is genuinely compelling, and the film's themes of failure and redemption are thought-provoking. But for many fans, Luke's characterization was a betrayal—turning the legendary Jedi into a grumpy hermit who throws away his lightsaber. The subplot with Finn (John Boyega) and Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) feels like filler, and the film's pacing drags in places. The Last Jedi is a bridge movie that tries to subvert expectations but often feels like it's spinning its wheels. It's ambitious, but not always successful.
1. Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens (2015)
The first entry in the sequel trilogy is also the best. Abrams rebooted the franchise with a familiar structure—a desert planet, a droid with a secret, a Death Star-like weapon—but injected it with fresh energy. Daisy Ridley's Rey is an instant icon, and Adam Driver's Kylo Ren is a complex villain torn between light and dark. The chemistry between the new cast, including John Boyega and Oscar Isaac, is electric. While The Force Awakens leans heavily on nostalgia, it does so with style and heart, setting up a trilogy full of potential. It's the only sequel that feels like a worthy continuation of the Skywalker saga, even if its successors failed to build on its promise.
Ultimately, the sequel trilogy is a cautionary tale about the dangers of high expectations and disjointed storytelling. For more on disappointing sequels, check out our list of 10 sequels that murdered great writing. And if you're looking for trilogies that actually deliver, see our picks for three trilogies that outshine The Lord of the Rings.
