Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Kernel Score: 83% · 20,324 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Adventure, Action, Science Fiction
Released: 2015-12-15
Runtime: 136 minutes
Is Star Wars: The Force Awakens worth watching?
Worth watching. This is a brisk, crowd-pleasing return to the galaxy, with likeable new leads and old faces back on screen. It leans heavily on the 1977 original's structure, so it feels familiar, but it moves fast and is easy to enjoy.
Watch it if you
- grew up with the original trilogy
- want fun, fast space adventure
- like seeing legacy characters handed to new heroes
Skip it if you
- want a story that surprises you
- dislike films that echo earlier ones
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Stream: Disney+, Philo, YouTube TV, Starz
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a PG-13 space-opera action-adventure with battles against an evil army.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Space battles and armed conflict against Stormtroopers, rated PG-13.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens
If you liked Star Wars: The Force Awakens, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Star Wars (1977) — 94%: The original this one deliberately echoes
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980) — 96%: The best of the saga, darker and more daring
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) — 87%: A grittier Star Wars war story
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) — 90%: Playful space adventure with a ragtag crew
- Star Trek (2009) — 83%: A reboot that hands the torch to a young crew
- Return of the Jedi (1983) — 89%: Rounds out the original trilogy
Director
Cast
- Harrison Ford as Han Solo
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
- Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa
- Adam Driver as Kylo Ren / Ben Solo
- Daisy Ridley as Rey
- John Boyega as Finn
- Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
- Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata
- Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke
- Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux
Star Wars: The Force Awakens FAQ
Is Star Wars: The Force Awakens worth watching?
Worth watching. This is a brisk, crowd-pleasing return to the galaxy, with likeable new leads and old faces back on screen. It leans heavily on the 1977 original's structure, so it feels familiar, but it moves fast and is easy to enjoy.
Where can I watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens?
In the US you can stream Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Disney+, Philo, YouTube TV and Starz and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Star Wars: The Force Awakens OK for kids?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a PG-13 space-opera action-adventure with battles against an evil army.
What movies are like Star Wars: The Force Awakens?
If you liked Star Wars: The Force Awakens, try Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Guardians of the Galaxy.