The Rise of Skywalker Results are Mediocre When Compared to Other Star Wars Movies

Now that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is nearing the end of its theatrical release, news sites have begun sizing up the film's output. Did Star Wars: Episode IX do as well as the entries that came before it in Disney's Star Wars sequel trilogy?

Forbes writer Scott Mendelson recently wrote a detailed piece about how The Rise of Skywalker compares to all of the other entries in the Star Wars franchise, and it looks like the film didn't do quite as well as expected. According to Forbes' report, The Rise of Skywalker sits right in the middle when compared to the relative domestic performances of all the other eight live-action entries in the Star Wars franchise.

Right now Episode IX is expected to reach domestic final gross around $520 million. That surpasses the raw grosses of A New Hope which reached $460 million, The Empire Strikes Back which reached $290 million, Return of the Jedi which reached $309 million, The Phantom Menace which reached $474 million, Attack of the Clones and its $310 million domestic gross, and Revenge of the Sith which grossed $380 million. Of course, these numbers don't really count the difference for inflation, so Episode IX could go even lower in the list.

Right now, the film is staggering behind The Force Awakens and its $937 million domestic gross, Rogue One and its $532 million domestic haul, and The Last Jedi which reached $620 million at the domestic box office.

The Rise of Skywalker's mediocre output is disappointing, to say the least. There was a whole lot riding on the film. Not only was Episode IX meant to be the third and final film in Disney's Star Wars sequel trilogy, but it was also meant to culminate the entire Skywalker saga.

Now we can only wonder what The Rise of Skywalker's output could mean on the future of the franchise. Let's wait and see.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is currently screening in cinemas.

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