The Underrated Star Wars Movie That Failed Its Female Leads

1. Solo: A Star Wars Story 2018，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 384093, ID: 3778644
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Solo: A Star Wars Story is a film that explores the origins of young Han Solo, telling the story of how he grew from an orphan to a pilot for the Galactic Empire and ultimately a hero for the Rebellion. Chela, as Han Solo’s love interest and villainous character, should have had more depth to her background and motivations, however the film’s editing and plotting limited her character development.
2. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 678623, ID: 2527336
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The Last Jedi is the eighth film in the Star Wars franchise and follows the Resistance as they struggle to find hope for survival in the face of Imperial oppression. The treatment of the female characters has caused some controversy. In particular, Rose Tico and General Holdo, two female characters who should have had deeper personalities and room for development, were often marginalised or treated in an oversimplified manner in the film.
3. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.4, IMDB Votes: 500156, ID: 2527338
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The Rise of Skywalker is the ninth film in the Star Wars franchise and aims to bring the Skywalker family saga to a close. The film follows Rey as she fights alongside the Resistance against the remnants of the Empire and ultimately faces the ultimate threat of Kylo Ren and Emperor Palpatine. Characters such as Rey, Rose Tico and Jenna are important to the plot, but their character arcs and inner development seem rushed and unfinished.
4. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 980927, ID: 2488496
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The Force Awakens is about Rey, a scavenger from the desert planet Jakku, who becomes involved in a battle with the First Order after discovering her connection to the Force. While Fiesta shows a powerful presence by appearing as a high-ranking officer of the First Order, her character is marginalised and barely has a substantial impact on the overall story. The lack of development of this character reflects the film’s lack of character depth and portrayal.
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 2016，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 39, ID: 29895189
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Rogue One stands out is about Jyn Erso and her team’s attempt to steal the Death Star plans as they resist the Empire. Mon Mothma, although she serves as one of the key leaders of the Resistance in the film, has a small part and the depth of her character is not fully demonstrated.
6. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 1999，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 867559, ID: 0120915
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It is about the challenges of young Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi on a mission that culminates in the discovery of a young man with great powers, Anakin Skywalker. Amidala is a strong female character whose leadership abilities are often overshadowed by the male characters in the film.
7. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones 2002，IMDB Rating: 6.6, IMDB Votes: 767478, ID: 0121765
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Attack of the Clones is about the deepening relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, at the same time that the Galactic Republic is in crisis over the impending Clone Wars. The romantic relationship between Padmé and Anakin comes across as raw and lacking in depth, often limiting her character to a mere object of affection rather than an independent and complex political figure.
8. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith 2005，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 854781, ID: 0121766
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‘Revenge of the Sith’ is about the gradual corruption of Anakin Skywalker by the Dark Side and his eventual transformation into Darth Vader. The film’s excessive focus on Anakin’s transformation leaves little room for Padme to grow as an individual, ultimately turning her into a character sacrificed for the sake of plot development.
9. Star Wars 1977，IMDB Rating: 8.6, IMDB Votes: 1463949, ID: 0076759
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The original ‘Star Wars’ is about a young Luke Skywalker who joins forces with the Resistance and fights against the oppression of the Empire. Princess Leia shows strong determination and resourcefulness throughout the film, and she still has to rely on male characters to rescue her on several occasions.
10. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back 1980，IMDB Rating: 8.7, IMDB Votes: 1394325, ID: 0080684
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‘The Empire Strikes Back’ continues to showcase Princess Leia’s strength and leadership. However, her character is still often overshadowed by the male protagonists. The film’s focus on the developing relationships and the battle against the Empire leaves little room for Leia’s character growth.
11. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi 1983，IMDB Rating: 8.3, IMDB Votes: 1132319, ID: 0086190
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Return of the Jedi is about the Rebellion embarking on a final showdown in an attempt to destroy the Empire’s second Death Star, with Luke Skywalker taking on Darth Vader and revealing his own father-son relationship with Vader. The film’s plot focuses more on the growth and adventures of the male characters and fails to fully exploit Leia’s potential as a female leader.
12. Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone 1983，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 6712, ID: 0086346
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Spacehunter is about a space hunter named Henk who travels to a dangerous planet to rescue women who have been kidnapped. Although Nikki is a potentially strong female character, her role in the film is often seen as a supporting role for the male hero.
13. Battle Beyond the Stars 1980，IMDB Rating: 5.5, IMDB Votes: 10414, ID: 0080421
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Battle Beyond the Stars is about a brave young man who violates the law. The film attempts to create a strong female protagonist, but the plot consistently focuses on the adventures and growth of the male protagonist, resulting in an underdeveloped female character that lacks the independence and complexity it deserves.
14. The Last Starfighter 1984，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 46612, ID: 0087597
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The Last Starfighter is about a young man named Alex who is recruited by aliens after playing a video game to become a cosmic warrior tasked with saving the galaxy. The film fails to make full use of the potential of its female characters, which makes it a lost opportunity in terms of gender balance and fails to break the male-dominated plot pattern.
15. Galaxina 1980，IMDB Rating: 3.7, IMDB Votes: 3468, ID: 0080771
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Galaxina is about the adventures of a group of astronauts and a female robot named Galaxina, who is the group’s AI assistant, and the film blends elements of sci-fi and comedy with her as the main character. The female characters, especially Galaxina, lack sufficient depth and development, causing them to come across as supporting characters or props and failing to present powerful characterisations.