Every actor has a reason to envy Harrison Ford. In an industry where fame quickly comes and goes, Ford has remained a star since the 1970s. His movies have grossed more than $10 billion globally, making him one of the most bankable actors alive. Ford has also received various accolades, including an Honorary César, an Honorary Palme d’Or, the AFI Life Achievement Award, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award. An Oscar still eludes him, but at least he has one nomination to be thankful for.
Ever the industrious actor, Ford has tried his hand in almost every genre. From superhero movies to adventure movies, he has done it all. A good portion of his filmography can be categorized under sci-fi, mainly because of the Star Wars films. But Han Solo isn’t the only sci-fi-related character that the veteran actor has played. He has starred in a few other movies, though not all of them are great. So, here are all his sci-fi movies and how they rank against each other.
10
‘Cowboys and Aliens’ (2011)
Set in a retro-futuristic version of the 1870s, Cowboys & Aliens stars Harrison Ford as Colonel Dolarhyde, a wealthy cattleman who rules the town of Absolution with an iron fist. Elsewhere, gunslinger Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig), regains consciousness, with no memory of who he is and a strange metal device on his wrist. Within no time, aliens attack, forcing Dolarhyde and Lonergan to work together.
Ford and Craig are Great, but the Film Has an Unpleasant Level of Goofiness
The film features the rough-hewn stylistic originality that was the hallmark of many of the greatest Westerns yet still manages to stitch in an alien saga with unseen twists and surprising warmth. Director Jon Favreau also sprinkles his usual goofiness, but it doesn’t work quite well here, or perhaps it doesn’t work with these specific lead actors. Besides that, the plot feels disjointed. Still, Cowboys & Aliens delivers enough gripping action sequences to keep even the most casual viewer glued.
9
‘Ender’s Game’ (2013)
Cadet Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) from Ender’s Game signs up for a futuristic military simulation training program meant to prepare soldiers for an impending alien invasion. Chosen by Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford), he excels and is selected for another simulation. After completing it, he discovers it was a real attack, and that he has almost wiped out the alien Formic species. Angry, Ender embarks on another perilous mission to protect the last surviving Formic queen.
Aliens Have Rights
This austere portrait of dark military tactics marked the continuation of a great run for director Gavin Hood, who had just made X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Ford is great, but the story’s moral and emotional core centers on Betterfiled’s character, whose simulation feats are punctuated by moments of curiosity. The actor’s seemingly naïve face perfectly suits the movie’s haunting tone, so you’ll love everything he does. Able support also comes from heavyweights like Ben Kingsley and Viola Davis.
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8
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ (2025)
Captain America: Brave New World
3.5
/5
Release Date
February 14, 2025
Director
Julius Onah
Franchise(s)
Captain America, Marvel Cinematic Universe
In Captain America: Brave New World, the new Captain America, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), springs into action when an attempt is made on the life of President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford) by Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson). But is Ross really clean? The longer we watch this POTUS at his mundane political tasks, the more we discover about his secret life and strange psychological (and biological) makeup. When Sam confronts him, he turns into the Red Hulk. Who will win?
Timid New Hulk
Posters suggested that Red Hulk would be the film’s main villain. He isn’t, so that’s something that left many fans disappointed. Still, the situation would have been acceptable if Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) was intriguing enough. Suddenly, he isn’t. He is as generic as Vanko from Iron Man 2. The great Giancarlo Esposito is also underused. Despite its flaws, the meticulously detailed MCU film handsomely rewards those who surrender to its intended popcorn thrills.
7
‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’ (1983)
In Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) takes on the villains Jabba the Hut and Darth Vader. Elsewhere, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) reaffirm their feelings for each other and then team with Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, Ewoks, C-3PO, and R2-D2 to fight the Dark Side.
Another Day, Another Star Wars Adventure
People had doubts about director Richard Marquand when he was offered the chance to direct a new Star Wars film, but like the previous installment, his version is a masterpiece of ingenious filmmaking and prescient detail. As usual, the visuals are great (the film won an Oscar in this particular category) but you’ll appreciate the action sequences more, and the John Williams score. No wonder it was the highest-grossing film of 1983.
6
‘Blade Runner 2049’ (2017)
Blade Runner 2049
Release Date
October 6, 2017
Runtime
163 Minutes
Nothing much has changed in Blade Runner 2049. Bioengineered humans known as replicants are still being used for slave labor. K (Ryan Gosling), a Nexus-9 replicant, is lucky enough to serve as a “Blade Runner” (an officer who hunts and kills rogue replicant models). However, his ideologies begin to shift when he discovers replicants can reproduce, and when he meets former Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford).
One of the Greatest Sequels Ever Made
This follow-up delivers the goods, mainly through its cinematography (Denis Villeneuve was the director after all), cheeky dialogue, spontaneous blasts of violence, and a complex assortment of characters. The film as a whole exemplifies the kind of strong, genuinely delightful material every director should endeavor to serve. The box office numbers weren’t great, but award organization judges were in awe. Five Oscar nominations and several other accolades were presented to Blade Runner.
5
‘Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Release Date
December 18, 2019
Runtime
142 minutes
There is some bad news in The Rise of Skywalker. The evil Sith Lord, Emperor Palpatine isn’t dead after he was seemingly killed by Darth Vader as everyone thought. The Resistance members must thus find where he is, while sorting out a variety of other personal problems. Ford reprises his role as Han Solo, in a supporting capacity.
More Ghosts from the Past
This billion-dollar follow-up manages to be tense and inspiring all at once. With admirable delicacy, director J.J. Abrams delivers banter and personal arcs, without diminishing the importance of the major missions. There were doubts about whether Star Wars would remain robust going into the 2020s, but The Rise of Skywalker proved that the franchise wasn’t going anywhere.
4
‘Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens’ (2015)
The Force Awakens follows the protagonists Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and Harrison Ford’s Han Solo as they search for their beloved Luke Skywalker. The team also fights in the Resistance, led by the no-nonsense General Leia Organa and several veterans of the initials Rebel Alliance. The enemy? Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the Galactic Empire’s successor, First Order
One of Hollywood’s Greatest Investments
This star-studded picture, also featuring actors like Lupita Nyong’o and John Boyega, is often cited as the best of the modern Star Wars movies, and rightly so. How could it not be, when it’s also the most expensive film ever made ($533 million budget)? Thankfully, the investment was worth it. The Force Awakens grossed $2.07 billion, and it’s all thanks to the plot’s trim hard edge, terrific action sequences, and a plot that neither feels too ambitious nor too basic.
3
‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’ (1977)
A New Hope was the movie that started it all. As soon as the opening credits finish rolling, we are ushered into a major crisis. The Imperial Forces led by Darth Vader (David Prowse) are holding Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, hoping the move will quell the increasingly dangerous rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Unwilling to bow to oppression, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), the captain of the Millennium Falcon, team up to rescue the princess.
A Great Foundation
No matter how many sci-fi movies you’ve seen before, you’ll be struck by the raw emotional intensity of George Lucas’ masterful remake. Kudos to the casting team. The performances are all inspired. The lead actors know when to be restrained and nuanced, and when to be wild. Ford, specifically, conveys volumes with smirks and arched eyebrows. Additionally, Lucas uses a rich palette of color to reinforce the crisis. Pop the corn and settle in for the film that triggered the space opera craze.
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2
‘Blade Runner’ (1982)
Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner takes us to a futuristic version of Los Angeles, where Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is a “Blade Runner,” The Replicants, made by the Tyrell Corporation, were banished from Earth after a revolt, yet some have returned. Deckard does his job, but he soon smells some mischief.
A Different Kind of Hunter
Blade Runner is one of the few sci-fi films that real scientists approve of, mainly because they believe artificial life is soon becoming a reality. This is also one of the alleged daddies of the cyberpunk subgenre. Do we really need a DNA test? The film’s power emanates from the protagonist’s relentlessness. Ford is very much front and center as the man who must restore order before the world gets taken over by non-humans.
1
‘Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)
The heroes fared well in the first movie now… The Empire Strikes Back. Here, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) face a major attack by the well-equipped Imperial forces on the ice planet Hoth. Han and Leia flee while Luke vows to search for Yoda. But a major duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse) awaits.
A Triumph on Every Level
A legend in his era, director Irvin Kershner was the undisputed master of quirky films. And working closely with George Lucas, he crafted his masterpiece. For franchise fans, it was thrilling to watch the pumped-up battles, and in the 21st century, we still marvel at the quick succession of shootouts. Featuring a wider variety of characters than ever, this film is like an Arthur C. Clark book, with John Williams’ sprightly score putting a smile on your face. We could never have asked for a better follow-up.
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