The cast of characters from Star Wars plays host to some of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. That being said, finding the best in a series with such incredible characters is no easy feat. To determine what makes them the best Star Wars character you need to look at the impact they have on the series as a whole. So today we will be looking at the 15 best of the best. However, since Star Wars is so massive, this list will be limited to characters from the nine films of the Skywalker Saga.
15. Finn
Finn vs Kylo Ren Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens
FN-2187 was a conscripted stormtrooper serving in the ranks of the First Order until his first mission, a raid on a small village on the desert planet Jakku. Within moments the force grabbed hold of him and freed him from his programming allowing him to decide to defect from the army and flee for his life with the help of Poe Dameron who gives him the name Finn.
Though beginning as a coward, John Boyega’s Finn grows throughout the Force Awakens and uses his strength to stand up to Kylo Ren himself. The rest of the trilogy is Finn finding his courage and leadership, and with the revelation that Finn can feel the force, perhaps he lives on to become the first of a new order of Jedi.
14. C3-P0 & R2-D2
C3-P0 and R2-D2 save the team Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
Originally owned by Anakin Skywalker, this dynamic duo eventually found their way back to Tatooine in the hands of Anakin’s son, Luke entirely by the providence of the force. From there the team carried the death star plans to Yavin IV, eventually giving Luke the chance to destroy the massive space station.
These two are the only two characters to appear in all nine of the films in the Skywalker saga. Their partnership is so crucial that you can easily point to several points throughout the franchise where they save the galaxy just by being in the right place at the right time. They are so important that none other than C3-P0 says the very first words ever spoken in Star Wars.
13. Padme Amidala
Padme Escapes from her execution Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones
One of the more tragic figures in Star Wars, Padme Amidala first appeared as the Queen of Naboo in The Phantom Menace. Padme is a fierce warrior and passionate leader, who’s determination leads the people of Naboo to band together and overthrow the Trade Federation occupation. After her term as queen, she led in the Republic senate until her mysterious death at the end of the Clone Wars. Only a few knew the truth, that this queen had died giving birth to the Skywalker twins.
Padme and Anakin’s romance was an aspect of the Prequel trilogy that many fans held gripes with. Still, there is no denying how important she is to the story, and Natalie Portman grew into the role, letting the collapse of her and Anakin’s relationship serve as the emotional core of the Tragedy of Darth Vader.
12. Rey
Rey defeats the Sith Star Wars Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker
On the sun-scorched desert of Jakku, a young girl sat alone, dreaming of a family who would return for her and love her. Day by day she worked and waited, unaware of the power within. Rey’s journey from a scavenger to Skywalker is rocky and full of pain, but as all heroes do, she finds the strength of those who came before her and fulfills her destiny of overcoming the darkness.
Rey is a reflection of the people watching Star Wars, sitting and dreaming of the adventure of becoming a Jedi, and saving the galaxy. Much like Luke, Rey sat waiting for the day she could live out her legend, and like him, she was not prepared for the path before her. Thankfully she has friends and mentors to show her the way. Rey’s story is at the very core of Star Wars, answering the call and doing what's right, but never doing it alone.
11. Lando Calrissian
Lando Destroys the Second Death Star Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi
Everything you’ve heard about him is true. The most smooth-talking, quick shooting, backstabbing scoundrel this side of Bespin, Lando Calrissian makes his mark, takes the prize, and will look good doing it. When the rebels arrived at his station on Cloud city, including his old friend Han Solo, Lando seemed like a welcome ally only to double-cross them later leading to Han’s carbon freeze. Lando then redeems himself by rescuing the rebels and Han, eventually going on to become the general in charge of attacking the Death Star II, piloting his old ship, The Millennium Falcon. His scum days are over, this scoundrel was now a war hero.
Billy Dee Williams is the absolute essence of suave as Lando, and no one rocks a cape better, and I mean no one. Lando was a welcome addition to the original cast and after watching any scene with him in it, it’s not hard to see why fans can’t get enough of him.
10. Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan vs Darth Maul Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace
If there was one Jedi Master who could have handled Anakin Skywalker, it was Qui-Gon Jinn. Serving as the master to Obi-Wan Kenobi, this Jedi scholar became the single most important catalyst in galactic history. While searching for parts for Queen Amidala’s ship, Jinn ran into a slave boy named Anakin Skywalker and immediately saw who he was, the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. Not wanting to ignore a sign from the force Qui-Gon defied everyone and saved the boy from slavery and set out to train him himself. Unfortunately, Qui-Gon met an early end at the hands of Darth Maul leaving both Anakin and Obi-Wan without their teacher; all they had now was each other and the hope that their master had placed on them both.
There is no Star Wars saga without Qui-Gon Jinn. His actions set in motion the events of all nine films. Qui-Gon is rebellious but not out of arrogance but wisdom, a very unique combination that is portrayed wonderfully by Liam Neeson throughout the Phantom Menace. Lucas wanted to use Qui-Gon as an example of what a Jedi should be and in doing so created a lasting character whose impact on the story is nothing short of profound.
9. Darth Sidious
Darth Sidious vs Mace Windu Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith
Sheeve Palpatine was a seemingly innocent senator from Naboo. Savvy enough to find himself elected Chancellor of the Senate and trustworthy enough to become a father figure to young Padawan Anakin Skywalker. What lay beneath the surface was a master manipulator, a master deceiver, a master of the dark side. Darth Sidious orchestrated a galactic conflict, turned Anakin to the dark side, and systematically slaughtered thousands of Jedi with just good lies and patience alone. His tyrannical reign as emperor was so evil that he quite literally had to be killed twice just to undo the damage he had done.
The face of ultimate evil in Star Wars is Palpatine, there is no villain worse than the sheer wickedness that is Sidious. Despite only appearing in five of the nine movies, there is not one moment where his influence is not seen. He was so essential to the story of the Skywalker saga that he was brought back from the dead. Because as long as the emperor's influence remained, the galaxy would never be free.
8. Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren kills his true enemy Star Wars Episode VIII The Last Jedi
Master of the Knights of Ren, Supreme Leader of the First Order, Heir Apparent to Darth Vader, Kylo Ren is the fallen persona of Ben Solo. The son of Han and Leia, Ben fell to the dark side after being tempted and manipulated by the ghost of Palpatine, echoing the fall of his grandfather. He becomes the leader of the first order and only sees the light after the sacrifice of all three of the original trilogy’s heroes. He eventually overcomes the dark side and comes to the aid of Rey to defeat Palpatine once and for all, eventually giving his life for her.
The most compelling character in the sequel trilogy, Adam Driver’s performance as Ben Solo is the definition of scene-stealing. He walks the line of a tortured prodigy and evil warrior with an amount of nuance that sticks with audiences long after the final credits roll. While his end left many fans unhappy, since he is at one with the force, perhaps there's a chance we will see Ben Solo once more.
7. Yoda
Yoda shows Luke the power of the Force Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
One of the wisest puppets to ever grace the big screen. After Kenobi’s untimely death, Luke Skywalker was in desperate need of a teacher. Someone to help him unlearn what he had learned. That someone was not at all what he pictured in this short-statured master of the force. A mighty warrior and wise sage, Yoda gifts Luke, like thousands of Jedi before him, with the knowledge and training of how to use the force. Living in self-imposed exile, Yoda finally becomes one with the force after entrusting the fate of the Jedi in the hands of his last apprentice.
The most subversive master in film history, Yoda is notable for just how iconic he is. From his pointy green ears to his unique speech pattern, everything about this little green Jedi sticks with you. His valuable lessons of the strength of will and faith in a higher power are lessons that echo throughout Star Wars. Showing that the true message of Star Wars would be utterly lost without Yoda.
6. Chewbacca
Luke, Han, and Chewbacca rescue Leia Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
The best co-pilot in the galaxy and the best friend a smuggler could ask for, Chewbacca is the faithful Wookiee sidekick to the famed smuggler, Han Solo. Helping Han and Luke rescue Leia from the Death Star and then helping the heroes in all of their future adventures, Chewbacca proved to be an invaluable ally time and time again.
Despite not speaking a single line of audible dialogue in the entire franchise, Chewbacca is a loveable hairball that is cherished by all Star Wars fans. The faithfulness of Chewie is what makes him such an endearing character and worthy of inclusion on this list.
5. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan confronts General Grievous Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith
The mentor to both Luke and Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi was a Jedi Master who served the republic throughout the entirety of the Clone Wars. Despite being instrumental in defeating two of the first seen sith in a thousand years, Obi-Wan found himself betrayed and heartbroken when his apprentice fell to the dark side and the Jedi order almost entirely extinct. Obi-Wan lived in exile for many years to watch over Luke Skywalker as he grew up on his uncle's farm, until the day he could show him the ways of the force, and restore hope to the galaxy.
Obi-Wan lost everything in the fall of the republic, by the time audiences first meet him in A New Hope, he is old, tired, and barely hanging on to the hope Luke provides. But thanks to his tutelage, Luke finds the force and begins his journey to restore peace to the galaxy. Obi-Wan is both integral to the story of the saga, and well portrayed by both Sir Alec Guinness and Ewan McGreggor and is so beloved that he will eventually live again in his own Disney+ Original series.
4. Princess Leia Organa
Leia saves the team from a firefight. Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
What is a good fairy tale without a princess? Leia Organa was a leader of the Rebel Alliance in the galactic civil war and served as a key player throughout the battles that led to the death of the empire. Throughout the war, Leia found both her heritage and the love of her life. After marrying Han Solo, the two have a son who serves as the last legacy of the Skywalker bloodline, in more ways than one. Leia eventually founded the resistance serving as general until ultimately sacrificing herself to bring her only son back to the light.
Despite her princess title, Leia is anything but a typical damsel in distress. Leia is fierce, strong, and passionate much like her mother. In addition to her impressive array of skills and leadership ability, Leia is also gifted in the ways of the force like her brother but chooses to use these abilities sparingly. This character is so beloved that the death of actress Carrie Fisher in 2016 broke the hearts of all who loved her. But fans were pleased that the Rise of Skywalker was able to give her a fittingly impactful send-off.
3. Han Solo
Han shoots Greedo Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
This half-witted, scruffy-looking, nerf herder is more complicated than first appearances might lead you to believe. Once the very definition of a scoundrel, Han Solo gained fame by joining the rebellion and helping lead the assault on the forest moon of Endor. Years later, after losing his only son to the dark side, Han left to take up his old life of crime once more only returning to confront his son one last time.
For kids watching Star Wars in 77,’ there was no one cooler than Han Solo. A rugged pirate who lives by his own rules, and gets the girl by the end of it. Watching Han go from smuggler to general is about as satisfying a character arc as you can get. Han is so revered that he got his spin-off film in 2018, and got the special privilege of returning for one final scene in the Rise of Skywalker to mirror his final confrontation with his son. It’s saying something that for someone like Harrison Ford who has played all manner of iconic heroes, that Han is definitely the most beloved.
2. Luke Skywalker
Luke becomes a Jedi Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi
Looking out over the twin suns of Tatooine, this moisture farmer knew he was destined for something greater. He had no idea how right he was. Luke Skywalker chose to follow in his father's footsteps to learn the ways of the force to fight for good. That path eventually led him to confront the darkness within himself and his family. Learning the awful truth of his father and eventually losing his nephew to the dark as well. After many hard lessons, Luke finally stands up, faces the dark side with his very last breath, giving the galaxy a legend they can look to forever.
Luke Skywalker is perhaps the most iconic fantasy hero in cinematic history. Watching him grow from a hapless farm boy to a mythical hero is nothing short of incredible. Mark Hamil’s bright-eyed childlike performance in the early films to his stoic portrayal in the saga’s final chapters, charts the peerless growth of this hero, who is for us exactly what he is for his galaxy; a legend.
1. Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker
Anakin fulfills the prophecy Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi
From the most iconic hero to the most iconic villain. Anakin Skywalker was a Jedi knight who fell to the dark side to save his wife from death. His efforts not only cost him his wife but also himself as the hero who was Anakin Skywalker laid dormant for many years inside the hollow shell that was Darth Vader. The chosen one served as the right hand to the emperor, leading the armies of the empire against the rebels. Vader eventually found his surviving son and tried to tempt him to similarly fall to the dark side. However, the resolve and mercy of his son proved to be what Anakin needed to return to the light, sacrificing himself to defeat Darth Sidious and restore balance to the force.
Darth Vader is not simply iconic because he looks cool, which he does, or that he has cool powers, which he does, he is iconic because of his story. The story of redemption. Deep down people want to believe that no matter how far a person falls, that there is always hope they can come back. Anakin stands as a fulfillment of that hope. Anakin shows us that not only are our loved ones able to find redemption, but we can find it for ourselves. That is the message of these films. Ultimately, Anakin is what Star Wars is all about.
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