Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin unmasked in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies Despite being the first Star Wars movie in 7 years, The Mandalorian and Grogu box office tracking is lower than Solo
Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Every new Star Wars movie and TV show currently in the works
Epic Games Star Wars toolkit image of Droid Tycoon with Jonesy selling a droid
Fortnite I don't think anyone is prepared for the amount of Star Wars that's about to hit Fortnite
Gideon Adlon's Devon Izara and Sam Witwer's Maul clashing lightsaber blades in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows After 27 years, Maul – Shadow Lord finally gives us one of the most anticipated Star Wars showdowns, but with a twist
Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin unmasked in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans have seen 25 minutes of The Mandalorian and Grogu – and early reactions are mostly positive
Someone wearing the Boushh replica Star Wars helmet in an industrial-looking room
Toys & Collectibles I've been hands-on with most Star Wars Day merch in 2026, here's what I'd recommend this May 4
Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies One of the most infamous Star Wars lines was added in reshoots, Oscar Isaac says
How to watch the Star Wars movies in order
Star Wars Movies How to watch the Star Wars movies in order (release and chronological)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies The list of most-streamed Star Wars movies and shows on Disney Plus doesn't include any films in the sequel trilogy
Qimir and Osha in The Acolyte
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars fans double down on call to bring back canceled show after it briefly returns to Disney Plus' top 10
Star Wars Legion, Star Wars Villainous, and Star Wars Unlimited: Intro Battle Hoth laid out on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming Settle in with the best Star Wars board games this May 4
A Rebel soldier on Endor in Star Wars Battlefront
FPS Games Somehow, EA's Battlefront is still the best-selling Star Wars game of all time
Sam Witwer as Maul in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Despite a major cameo in the Maul finale, fans are disappointed by the lack of Star Wars Day announcements
Ahsoka
Star Wars TV Shows Ahsoka season 2 is dealing with a "higher level" of Star Wars than The Mandalorian and Grogu
An Obi-Wan Kenobi action figure wielding a lightsaber, with boxes visible in the background
Toys & Collectibles Here's how Star Wars action figures and collectibles get made, according to the experts
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Sci-Fi Movies
  4. Star Wars Movies
  5. Star Wars

Star Wars fans have ignited an age-old debate, and there are some seriously hot takes

News
By Nick Staniforth published 22 March 2025

Fans are using the force and carefully worded arguments to settle an age-old discussion.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Darth Vader in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

There are enough debates about the Star Wars universe to fill a galaxy far, far away. One that has just reignited on Reddit is which of the first two films is the best. One Redditor said, "Hot take, but I love A New Hope more than Empire." Naturally, everyone formed an orderly queue, gave reasons for their answers, and were totally civil about the whole thing. Kind of.

One fan said, "[A New Hope] does an unparalleled job of introducing the viewer to a completely foreign, mid-fight story and just taking you where you need to be without overwhelming the viewer with details and world-building." Another fan had a few less kind words to say about the 1977 classic, adding, "Downvote me to hell but ANH is annoying. Luke is whiney, petulant, poorly acted and poorly written. Good story. Poor execution," while another simply said, "That's not a hot take. Liking Phantom Menace over Empire is a hot take." It would also be absolutely mad.

Other Star Wars fans made sure to show some love for the third chapter in the original trilogy that defrosted Han Solo and had him fight of the Empire with the help of a tribe of teddy bears. "[Return of the Jedi] is my favorite of the originals. I do like Empire. But, a new hope edges it a little. Maybe because it's the first. But, the three together are by far the best."

Article continues below
You may like
  • Hayden Christensen in Revenge of  the Sith Star Wars fans are debating an iconic Revenge of the Sith scene that's now one of the saga's biggest 'what if' moments
  • Fiona Shaw as Maarva in hologram form in Andor Andor fans are split on whether a subtle season 1 ending change was a good idea
  • The Rise of Skywalker Star Wars fans are discussing one major moment in The Rise of Skywalker

One fan threw down a solid argument saying that all of the original trilogy are pieces to a bigger story. "It all depends how you view it. A New Hope is better as a single movie than Empire. You could watch it and be satisfied with everything you have seen. Empire expands on A New Hope and leaves you wanting more. Without the trilogy though, it’s just another good movie. Empire is the best of the 3 for most fans, but only because the start and ending are so cleanly done." So what he says is true, from a certain point of view.

To get a solid assessment on which film is strongest with the force, be sure to check out our ranking of every single Star Wars movie here.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Nick Staniforth
Nick Staniforth
Social Links Navigation
Contributing Writer

Nick is a freelancer whose work can be found at Screen Rant, The Digital Fix, and Looper. He loves movies, TV, DC, and Marvel. He also believes that the best Robin Hood is still a talking fox.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Hayden Christensen in Revenge of  the Sith
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are debating an iconic Revenge of the Sith scene that's now one of the saga's biggest 'what if' moments
 
 
Fiona Shaw as Maarva in hologram form in Andor
Star Wars TV Shows Andor fans are split on whether a subtle season 1 ending change was a good idea
 
 
The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are discussing one major moment in The Rise of Skywalker
 
 
Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans have uncovered a new dimension to Qui-Gon and Darth Maul's Phantom Menace showdown
 
 
C-3PO, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Movies 22 years later, Star Wars fans are reassessing one 2004 Special Edition Return of the Jedi change
 
 
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford in Star Wars: A New Hope
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are discussing why two major characters barely interacted, but I think it makes total sense
 
 
Latest in Star Wars Movies
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies The list of most-streamed Star Wars movies and shows on Disney Plus doesn't include any films in the sequel trilogy
 
 
Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin unmasked in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans have seen 25 minutes of The Mandalorian and Grogu – and early reactions are mostly positive
 
 
Grogu saluting in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies The Mandalorian and Grogu is getting a prequel comic to fill in the gaps from season 3
 
 
Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin unmasked in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies New Mandalorian and Grogu clip sees duo dodge multiple AT-ATs during madcap downhill slalom
 
 
Someone wearing the Boushh replica Star Wars helmet in an industrial-looking room
Toys & Collectibles I've been hands-on with most Star Wars Day merch in 2026, here's what I'd recommend this May 4
 
 
Ultimate Grogu lifting up his arms to be picked up
Toys & Collectibles Star Wars fans are going nuts for this new Grogu animatronic, but not its price
 
 
Latest in News
A crop of Coen looking at his closed fist in The Blood of Dawnwalker
RPGs Blood of Dawnwalker takes after Baldur's Gate 3's freedom and Gothic's small but dense world design
 
 
Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in The Bear
Drama Shows Surprise! A new episode of The Bear co-written by Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach has shadow-dropped on Hulu
 
 
Schedule 1 character in cowboy hat
Games PC gamers buy way more games that cost less than $30 at launch compared to console, analysts say
 
 
Xbox logos
Xbox Xbox CEO confirms it's "winding down" Microsoft Copilot on mobile and ending it on console
 
 
Adeline Rudolph as Kitana in Mortal Kombat 2
Action Movies Mortal Kombat 2 stars on Kitana and Jade's "sisterhood" and making the deadly duo "more relatable"
 
 
A pirate in Windrose
Survival Games Windrose devs issue patch to address fears their open-world pirate game was slowly destroying SSDs
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in The Bear
    1
    Surprise! A new episode of The Bear co-written by Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach has shadow-dropped on Hulu
  2. 2
    PC gamers buy way more games that cost less than $30 at launch compared to PlayStation and Xbox players, analysts say, and it's "reshaping the PC market"
  3. 3
    Windrose devs issue patch to address fears their open-world pirate game was slowly destroying SSDs
  4. 4
    Microsoft finally admits everyone hates Copilot: Xbox CEO confirms it's "winding down" Copilot on mobile and ending it on console
  5. 5
    Another friendslop hit prints money on Steam as Gamble With Your Friends sells 500k copies in 3 days: "Speechless"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...