Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Play trailer

2:30

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

PG

Released May 16, 2002

2h 23m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

319 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Set ten years after the events of "The Phantom Menace," the Republic continues to be mired in strife and chaos. A separatist movement encompassing hundreds of planets and powerful corporate alliances poses new threats to the galaxy that even the Jedi cannot stem. These moves, long planned by an as yet unrevealed and powerful force, lead to the beginning of the Clone Wars -- and the beginning of the end of the Republic.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones benefits from an increased emphasis on thrilling action, although it's undercut by ponderous plot points and underdeveloped characters.

Read Critics Reviews

Chris Hewitt (UK)

Empire Magazine

Clones is the anti-Phantom Menace — funny, complex and enormous fun.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 23, 2025

Full Review

Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

The pulp-fiction adrenaline continually pumps.

Apr 23, 2025

Full Review

Jane Horwitz

Washington Post

The computer-generated effects dazzle, and the story, while complicated in the manner of a comic-book serial, clips along at a decent pace.

Apr 23, 2025

Full Review

Honolulu Star-Bulletin Staff

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

George Lucas should seriously think of handing over the director duties to someone else for Episode III. All of this digital effect dazzle can't even spark his weak work with actors.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 23, 2025

Full Review

Michael Tsai

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

George Lucas continues to show signs of being altogether unconcerned with the burden of storytelling, using painfully awkward dialogue and endless coincidences to advance the plot.

Apr 23, 2025

Full Review

Michael Snyder

Miami Herald

Attack is more of the same; the thespians are pawns subservient to the epic sweep of the story. But after a tepid Episode 1, this is rapture.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 23, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Andrew M

This is easily the weakest installment of the prequels. The romance between anakin and padme is very hard to watch and the middle of the movie is quite boring. However Christopher Lee is magnificent as always and the final act of the film is incredible.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

Full Review

Deven S

Christopher lee carried so hard

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

David R

It had bad 0/5 parts and good 5/5 parts but mostly terrible.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

Xander M

It's so good and I love the way they've brought romance into a sci-fi movie! It's good and there are good action scenes, it's more exciting than the first one!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

john d

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones is incredible! There's so much action, there's so much intrigue, there's so much emotional connectivity and it all fits in the Star Wars universe. The chase scenes at the beginning and the geographically based arena scene on Geonosis provide some of the saga's most exhilarating moments. In addition, the CGI was revolutionary in this age and all the effects (most especially the battle scenes with large casts assembled) hold up tremendously well. This installment features the burgeoning romance between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. Not only do they have chemistry, but their romantic liaisons have an emotional component that makes Anakin's future temperamentally charged turn to the dark side even more believable. Anakin is played by Hayden Christensen, and his impetuous, yet commendable disposition as he undertakes his Sith training is heartfelt. George Lucas directs to perfection without a fault, taking audiences on a ride that enjoys a broader dynamic range world—much more than Episodes I and III with world building and character development—and political intrigue. The inner demise of the Galactic Republic as

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Audience Member

The clones attacked.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

George Lucas

Director

Ewan McGregor

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Natalie Portman

Padmé Amidala

Hayden Christensen

Anakin Skywalker

Christopher Lee

Count Dooku

Samuel L. Jackson

Mace Windu

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

54%

59%

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

18%

41%

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Watchlist

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

37%

51%

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

83%

94%

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

93%

97%

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Best Star Wars Moments Ever

24:20

Rotten Tomatoes is Wrong About... Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

7:11

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones: Trailer 1

2:30

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Set ten years after the events of "The Phantom Menace," the Republic continues to be mired in strife and chaos. A separatist movement encompassing hundreds of planets and powerful corporate alliances poses new threats to the galaxy that even the Jedi cannot stem. These moves, long planned by an as yet unrevealed and powerful force, lead to the beginning of the Clone Wars -- and the beginning of the end of the Republic.

Director: George Lucas
Producer: Rick McCallum
Screenwriter: George Lucas, Jonathan Hales
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd., Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: PG (Sci-Fi Action Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $310.7M
Runtime: 2h 23m
Sound Mix: Dolby EX, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now