Putting actual movie content aside, here’s my ranking of the titles (along with some random thoughts):
- The Empire Strikes Back – Perfect title for a perfect movie
- Return of the Jedi – This one is the most interesting for the reasons Servii mentioned^
- Revenge of the Sith – Very strong title, sounds cool, mirrors ROTJ
- The Last Jedi – Double meaning with Luke/Rey. And Luke goes from wanting to be the last Jedi, to saying “I will not be the last Jedi.”
- Star Wars – Great sounding name, but doesn’t encapsulate the film all that well. Yes, there’s a war going on in the stars, but that’s pretty vague (unless that’s a good thing? I don’t know)
- The Force Awakens – Interesting title that also sparks your curiosity. Although I don’t know how an energy field can awaken. I would’ve preferred ‘Shadow of the Empire’
- The Phantom Menace – Not as bad as people say IMO. Palpatine’s the menace pulling the strings in the shadows.
- The Rise of Skywalker – An attempt to have multiple meanings like ROTJ I guess? I find it weak and confusing.
- Attack of the Clones – Same style TESB was going for, but sounds way too goofy; ‘clone’ is just a comical word.