The Star Wars live-action films have been cherished by movie fans worldwide for decades. Their blend of science fiction and western influences—shaped initially by George Lucas and later by Disney’s stewardship of Lucasfilm—created characters and moments that have become cultural touchstones. Figures like Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, Kylo Ren, Rey, and Darth Vader are instantly recognizable, while scenes such as the journey of an orphaned child who becomes the catalyst to defeat evil have stayed vivid in the public imagination for more than 40 years. Despite uneven entries, spin-offs, studio changes, and sometimes toxic audience reactions, Star Wars remains one of the most significant and relevant media franchises, largely thanks to the filmmakers who shaped its live-action films.
Over more than four decades, seven different directors have taken the helm of Star Wars theatrical releases. Although each filmmaker brought a distinct voice, most managed to preserve the essential feel of the universe while adding their own style, ensuring each movie feels familiar yet unique.
In this ranking we assess those seven filmmakers — not just for their Star Wars work but for their entire careers — to determine who has had the most significant and skilful impact as a Star Wars director.
Have an opinion? Share your thoughts in the comments.
7. Irvin Kershner
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Irvin Kershner is the director behind what many consider the franchise’s finest film, The Empire Strikes Back. His work on that installment elevated the series with emotional depth and darker tonal shifts. However, his broader filmography contains fewer standout films and several lesser-known or poorly received titles. While Kershner delivered a single masterpiece for the series, his overall career places him lower in this ranking of Star Wars directors.
6. Richard Marquand
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Richard Marquand brought the original trilogy to a close with Return of the Jedi, a film that wraps up the saga in a more conventional and crowd-pleasing way than its predecessor. Marquand’s career was relatively brief but included solid, well-crafted films both before and after Return of the Jedi, such as Eye of the Needle and Until September. His steady, professional approach to filmmaking gives him a respectable place in this list, despite a less daring entry in the franchise itself.
5. Gareth Edwards
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Gareth Edwards impressed audiences with Rogue One, a standalone film that expanded the universe with a grittier, war-film tone and a memorable, haunting sequence that many viewers still cite as one of the most intense Star Wars moments in recent years. Edwards’ feature output is relatively limited—Monsters and Godzilla among them—so while his work shows clear cinematic talent and a knack for visual storytelling, his smaller body of films keeps him mid-ranked on this list. He remains a director with significant future potential.
4. Rian Johnson
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
Rian Johnson is one of the most adventurous voices to direct a Star Wars film. His career includes a range of impressive, original works—Brick, Looper, The Brothers Bloom, and the modern whodunit Knives Out—that demonstrate his versatility and flair for storytelling. The Last Jedi proved polarizing: many critics praised its boldness and thematic depth, while some fans reacted less favorably to its departures from franchise expectations. Johnson’s originality and career achievements earn him a solid placement on this list.
3. George Lucas
Star Wars; Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; Episode II – Attack of the Clones; Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
George Lucas is the creator of Star Wars and the architect of the original film that launched a cultural phenomenon. His early directorial achievements, including THX 1138 and American Graffiti, alongside the original Star Wars, cemented his reputation. Lucas’s later work on the prequel trilogy was more divisive, and his hands-on choices as director drew mixed responses. While his influence on cinema and the franchise is undeniable, evaluating his directorial output across six films—including both triumphs and missteps—places him in the middle of this ranking.
2. J.J. Abrams
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens; Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
J.J. Abrams is known for delivering energetic, crowd-pleasing blockbusters that prioritize spectacle and emotional familiarity. His Star Wars entries leaned into nostalgia and broad entertainment values, particularly The Force Awakens, which successfully reignited mainstream enthusiasm for the saga. Abrams’ résumé includes high-profile franchise work across film and television, and while his films sometimes face criticism for style over substance, his consistent ability to create entertaining, accessible cinema keeps him near the top of this list.
1. Ron Howard
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Ron Howard ranks first in this assessment, largely because of his remarkably steady and accomplished career outside Star Wars and his steady hand in guiding Solo through a difficult production. A two-time Best Director Oscar nominee, Howard has delivered acclaimed films across genres—A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Willow, Rush, and Frost/Nixon among them—and has shown an ability to balance character, craft, and crowd appeal. When he stepped in to complete Solo, his professionalism and experience helped bring cohesion and clarity to a troubled project. Taken together, Ron Howard’s long record of quality filmmaking and dependable leadership make him the top Star Wars director in this ranking.
This list evaluates each director’s overall career as well as their contributions to the Star Wars saga. Do you agree with these rankings? Which Star Wars director would you place higher or lower?