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Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Never tell him the odds.

2018135 minPG-13Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films
Director
Ron Howard
Starring
Alden Ehrenreich, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke

Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Solo: A Star Wars Story?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Solo: A Star Wars Story streaming on Disney+ and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Solo: A Star Wars Story?

Solo: A Star Wars Story earns 7 badges, led by Star-studded and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Solo: A Star Wars Story worth watching?

Solo: A Star Wars Story's Midcredits score is the 68th percentile of all films, from 1.3M ratings across 6 sources. 66% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

68th percentile

Better received than 68% of films

81st percentile among Action68th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)60th
Approval (how many liked it)74th

64 /100

60th percentile of all films

76th percentile among Action60th percentile among 2010s

Critics 62 · Audience 64

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.8 — solid but not unanimous.

66% liked it

74th percentile of all films

83rd percentile among Action74th percentile among 2010s
66% rated it 7–1034% rated it 1–6

Critics 69% · Audience 63%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 6 wins / 26 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Visual Effects

82nd percentile

1.3M ratings across platforms

71st percentile among Action84th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$275M
Opening weekend$84M
Domestic gross$214M
Worldwide gross$393M

Returned 1.4× its budget — 95th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A visually competent but uneven heist-style adventure that divides fans on its handling of legacy characters and tone.

Fans praised

  • fun, action-packed ride that evokes classic Star Wars spirit
  • Alden Ehrenreich captures Han's charisma and swagger
  • expansive world-building and cool looks at life under the Empire

Detractors panned

  • lifeless, corporate product that drains the fun out of Star Wars
  • drab cinematography and dull, unnecessary backstory
  • poor character development and forced fan service

What stands out

ActingDivisive70

Ehrenreich shines as Han; supporting cast solid but underutilized

Effects and spectacleDivisive70

Impressive set pieces but not groundbreaking

AtmosphereDivisive65

Captures the grimy underbelly of the Star Wars universe

Plot and storyDivisive60

Heist-driven but predictable with some twists

PacingDivisive60

Brisk but muddled in the middle act

CharactersDivisive55

Han's arc feels rushed, supporting characters lack depth

OriginalityDivisive50

Feels like a retread of classic Star Wars beats

Emotional impactDivisive50

Lacks the emotional depth of the original trilogy

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 10 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 20 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Solo: A Star Wars Story like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is intense, has a few laughs and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingTenseWarm
Heaviest: middle
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its space adventure straight, with a spirit of exploration and humour derived from character interactions rather than irony.
The rideThe film sustains a pulsing adventure energy, with the heist sequences in the middle carrying the most tension.
StructureA conventional chronology following Han from Corellia to his first major heist.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you grinning at Han's adventures and optimistic about his journey.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestMission
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% (this title) · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

10% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeHan Solo is thrust into a criminal conspiracy to steal hyperfuel, and the heist's execution and fallout drive the story.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfAmbitionSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Ambition · 7% of filmsFreedom · 5% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores Han Solo's journey from an orphaned thief to a confident smuggler, driven by his ambition to be free and make his own destiny.
StanceThe film celebrates Han's roguish resourcefulness and his rise from a downtrodden orphan to a swaggering smuggler.

The world

TimelessUrbanOuter spaceIn transitScience fiction
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score
SettingCorellia and the criminal underworld of the galaxy
MusicThe score likely blends classic Star Wars motifs with a more action-oriented, modern orchestral style.

Content guide

Is Solo: A Star Wars Story okay for kids?

PG-13

Solo: A Star Wars Story is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action/violence” (MPAA). As of August 18, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (44/100), sexual content at mild (19/100), language at mild (32/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (32/100) and frightening material at moderate (36/100). Overall it is heavier than 20% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 32 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil12
  • Austria12
  • BelgiumKT/EA
  • Czechia12+
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-12
  • Hong KongIIA
  • Hungary12
  • Israelהותר לכל
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland12
  • RO12
  • Russia16+
  • SingaporePG
  • SK12
  • South Africa10-12
  • Spain7
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland12
  • Taiwan保護級
  • THG
  • Türkiye13A
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 17% of all filmsHeavier than 20% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 46%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 28%
Profanity
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 24%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 53%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 35%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is violence, heavier than 46% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Solo: A Star Wars Story have?

MovieCove's classifier found 2 depicted content warnings in Solo: A Star Wars Story: Gore or body horror (moderate), War atrocities (mild). Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateGore or body horror
MildWar atrocities

Cast and crew

Who is in Solo: A Star Wars Story?

Cast

4 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Alden Ehrenreich
as Han Solo
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Joonas Suotamo
as Chewbacca
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Woody Harrelson
as Beckett
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Emilia Clarke
as Qi'ra
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Donald Glover
as Lando Calrissian
Thandiwe Newton
as Val
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
as L3-37
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Paul Bettany
as Dryden Vos
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jon Favreau
as Rio Durant
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Erin Kellyman
as Enfys Nest
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

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What are movies like Solo: A Star Wars Story?

Movies like Solo: A Star Wars Story include Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) and The Last Starfighter (1984). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films set in outer space, and most are mission stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its world: space opera. Those cards say what else they share.

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What else shares a premise, people or place with Solo: A Star Wars Story?

263 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: space opera. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.