“Star Wars” is known for its galaxywide fame and success.

Since its debut in 1977, the “Star Wars” franchise has expanded far beyond a single trilogy, growing into one of the most influential sci-fi sagas in cinematic history. From the fall of Anakin Skywalker to the rise of Rey, each installment has inspired passionate debate over which film stands above the rest. With unforgettable lightsaber duels, iconic performances and generations of beloved characters, the franchise’s legacy continues to endure decades later – the latest installment, “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” hit theaters on Friday.

Continue reading to find out which “Star Wars” films The Daily Bruin believes reigns supreme.

“Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005)

The prequel finale undoubtedly takes the franchise’s high ground.

Delving into the tragic backstories of many beloved characters in “Star Wars,” the end of empires in “Revenge of the Sith” is the most explosive of the entire franchise. Although icons such as Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Yoda (Frank Oz) are at the peak of their powers during this final battle against the Separatists, the threat of their eventual fall from grace lurks at the edge of the audience’s consciousness, resulting in an even more resonant viewing experience. This excitement reaches its peak when Anakin at last dons the Darth Vader mask and suit at the film’s end, introducing the iconic villain who would haunt the rest of the franchise.

Additionally, the film contains the most memorable lightsaber duels of the “Star Wars” universe, including Obi-Wan’s fight against General Grievous (Matthew Wood) and the climactic brotherly duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan. This high-octane action is bolstered by a script full of both villainous charm and heartbreaking certainty, harboring some of the most quintessential one-liners in “Star Wars.” Compared to the original trilogy, the enhanced visual and auditory design further invokes the vastness of the “Star Wars” galaxy, providing a standout immersive experience as characters travel from Coruscant to Utapau to Mustafar.

As the last stand of the Jedi, no other film can match the emotional appeal of Episode III.

– Gwendolyn Lopez

“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977)

The force is strongest where it all began.

While “Star Wars” has undoubtedly had its highs and lows, the franchise arguably peaked with its first film in 1977. A farm boy finds a distress call carried by a droid and embarks on a hero’s journey to save the galaxy from the evil Galactic Empire. While the rest is cinema history, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is crucially not well-versed in the force nor his dark family history during this film. It is his determination to help the Rebellion that makes him such a compelling hero and “A New Hope” such a heartwarming watch, even nearly half a century later.

Considering none of the franchise’s subsequent works could exist without the groundwork perfectly laid by “A New Hope,” the quintessential essence of the universe we know and love – with all its campy transitions, strange dialogue and practical sets – can only be found back where it all kicked off. Though they have certainly tried, no “Star Wars” film since has quite been able to recapture the magic that could only come from watching the princess, the scoundrel and the farm boy first get together.

When it comes to the best of “Star Wars,” “A New Hope” is always the film you’re looking for.

– Kiara Mack

“Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983)

There is just no besting the original finale.

From its iconic, tension-building Tatooine opening to the perfectly wrapped-up ending – and every moment in between – “Return of the Jedi” is the quintessential “Star Wars” film. The scenes between Darth Vader and Luke – the only in the series where they recognize each other as family – make for truly remarkable sequences, not to mention those with the true villain, Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Vader’s inner conflict alone is enough to propel the movie toward the top of the list, but the return of Han Solo (Harrison Ford), reveal of Luke and Leia (Carrie Fisher) as twins and long-awaited defeat of the Empire easily push it to No. one.

The set up from episodes IV and V finally pays off to make for memorable action sequences and satisfying conclusions. Some criticize the secondary story lines with Endor and Han and Leia as weak padding, but the strength of Luke’s character development makes up for any amount of slight monotony. After all, Luke is the main character, and “Return of the Jedi” makes this best known, even in its title’s reference to him.

Episode VI is simply the most “Star Wars” of all the “Star Wars” movies.

– Caitlin Brockenbrow

“Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015)

The greatest films juggle cinematic magic with nostalgia – a feat that “The Force Awakens” excells at.

The first film of the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy keeps the best elements of the original series while transporting audiences to a galaxy that is brighter and livelier than prior films could achieve. From the moment that future prodigy Rey (Daisy Ridley) is introduced on the barren desert world Jakku, it becomes clear that the mix of practical effects with the modern technologies of the mid-2010s created a space journey where every scene leaps off the screen more vividly than in earlier “Star Wars” sagas. The same transportive quality continues as Rey travels to visit Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o) on the lush, forested planet Takodana and as Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) prowls through the ebony hallways of the nefarious Starkiller Base.

But such elaborate settings would mean nothing without the dynamic story told in “The Force Awakens,” as Rey and her comrades race to destroy Starkiller Base and hope to find a vanished Luke Skywalker. Best of all, the movie features several scenes that reunite the regal Leia Organa and charismatic Han Solo. As former lovers, they are forced to confront the shortcomings that caused their son – Ben Solo, now Ren – to be pulled to the dark side of the Force. By the time Rey and Ren meet in a climactic battle in an icy forest as Starkiller Base crumbles beneath their feet, the film has hit all of the desired emotional beats while also having delivered one of the best action sequences in “Star Wars” history.

With its immersive worldbuilding and riveting performances, “The Force Awakens” keeps the spirit of “Star Wars” alive in the best possible way.

– Reid Sperisen

“Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” (2017)

The saga is dead, the debate is over, and when the sand has settled, the best is sure to be “The Last Jedi.”

Picking up directly where “The Force Awakens” leaves off, Rian Johnson’s seminal work gives the recycled story a bold new identity. Following Rey, a scavenger-turned-Jedi, Finn (John Boyega), a former First Order stormtrooper and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), a hot-headed Resistance pilot, the film weaves three journeys into one. As the Resistance begins its daring escape from the First Order, Rey must learn what it means to be a Jedi from the hermetic Luke Skywalker in order to confront Kylo Ren, who turned to the dark side after training and failing under Skywalker’s watch.

The film challenges the traditional ways of the Jedi and instead advocates for a more balanced approach to the Force, one that would have saved a younger Ben Solo. “The Last Jedi” emphasizes that some things are worth fighting for, though not everything is worth sacrifice, giving Finn purpose beyond circumstantial alignment and teaching Poe the real nature of leadership. Johnson’s film is also a marvel of visual ingenuity, using Rashomon-style flashbacks to present different perspectives of the same memory and inventive editing techniques to demonstrate the Force bond between Rey and Ren, – culminating in the Holdo maneuver.

“Episode VIII” is certain to go down in history as a real page-turner.

– Parsa Arshi