What do the names of each Star Wars film mean?

28 February 2023
The titles of Star Wars films are more than just catchy phrases used for marketing and branding purposes. In fact, the titles are carefully chosen to reflect the themes, motifs, and overall messages of each film.

They serve as a preview of the story that is about to unfold, as well as a hint at the emotional and philosophical content that will be explored throughout the movie. The titles also create a sense of continuity and connection between the different films in the franchise, linking them together in a cohesive narrative that spans across different generations and storylines. 

Additionally, the titles of Star Wars films have become a part of popular culture, with fans and critics alike analyzing and interpreting their meaning and significance. 

In many ways, the titles of Star Wars films are an essential part of the franchise's identity, representing the epic, mythic, and timeless quality of the stories that take place in a galaxy far, far away! 


Here's a combined list of all the Star Wars films and their meanings, in chronological order of release. 


These are pretty straightforward eh?
  • "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" (1977) - The name refers to the hope that the Rebel Alliance has for defeating the evil Galactic Empire and bringing peace to the galaxy.
  • "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) - The title refers to the counterattack that the Galactic Empire launches against the Rebel Alliance after the destruction of the Death Star in the first film.
  • "Return of the Jedi" (1983) - The title refers to the return of the Jedi Order, which had been decimated by the Empire's purge.
  • "Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure" (1984) - The title refers to the Ewoks' caravan that sets out on the rescue mission of a group of human children who become stranded on the forest moon of Endor
  • "Ewoks: The Battle for Endor" (1985) - The title refers to the climactic battle between the Ewoks and the marauders.
  • "The Phantom Menace" (1999) - The title refers to the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who is manipulating events behind the scenes and is a "phantom menace" to the galaxy.
  • "Attack of the Clones" (2002) - The title refers to the fact that the clones, who are used as soldiers in the Clone Wars, were created in secret by the Sith Lord Count Dooku.
  • "Revenge of the Sith" (2005) - The title refers to the Sith's revenge against the Jedi Order, which is all but destroyed by the end of the film.
  • "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016) - The title refers to the callsign of the main protagonist's team, who steal the plans for the Death Star, setting up the events of the first Star Wars film.
  • "The Force Awakens" (2015) - The title refers to the awakening of the Force within new characters such as Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron.
  • "The Last Jedi" (2017) - The title refers to Luke Skywalker, who is the last Jedi and plays a pivotal role in the film's climax. It also refers to the character of Rey who becomes the last Jedi herself after the death of Skywalker.
  • "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (2018) - The title refers to the main character, Han Solo, and his adventures with Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and other iconic characters.
  • "The Rise of Skywalker" (2019) - The title refers to Rey's ascension to the rank of Jedi Knight and the ultimate defeat of the Sith once and for all.

revenge of the jedi

The original title of "Return of the Jedi" was actually "Revenge of the Jedi." The change in the title occurred very late in the production process, and the reason for the change was a matter of philosophy.

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, ultimately decided ]=that revenge was not a trait of a Jedi, which is why he changed the title from "Revenge of the Jedi" to "Return of the Jedi."

This makes a lot of sense.

The original title of "Revenge of the Jedi" was heavily promoted, and it appeared in many early trailers, posters, and promotional materials. The change to "Return of the Jedi" was met with some surprise and confusion, and it generated a great deal of discussion among fans and critics.

Despite the controversy surrounding the title change, "Return of the Jedi" was a massive commercial success, and it remains one of the most beloved movies in the Star Wars franchise. The title itself has become iconic, representing the triumphant return of the Jedi Order and the defeat of the evil Galactic Empire. In many ways, the title change from "Revenge of the Jedi" to "Return of the Jedi" was a crucial moment in the franchise's history, and it helped to solidify the themes and motifs that have come to define the Star Wars universe.

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About the author Jimmy Jangles


My name is Jimmy Jangles, the founder of The Astromech. I have always been fascinated by the world of science fiction, especially the Star Wars universe, and I created this website to share my love for it with fellow fans.

At The Astromech, you can expect to find a variety of articles, reviews, and analysis related to science fiction, including books, movies, TV, and games.
From exploring the latest news and theories to discussing the classics, I aim to provide entertaining and informative content for all fans of the genre.

Whether you are a die-hard Star Trek fan or simply curious about the world of science fiction, The Astromech has something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and join me on this journey through the stars!
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