The Star Wars universe is populated by a huge diversity of creatures from all over the galaxy. Thanks to hyperspeed travel, everyone gets to mingle and we’re acquainted with a motley crew of rag tag rebels, stone cold imperial troopers, mystic space wizards, and many more delightful weirdos. An amazing cast of characters drives the story along with memorable and evocative dialogue. It was tough to narrow down a list, but without further ado here are the top 25 Star Wars characters along with their most legendary quotes. Note: Spoiler alert.
25. Qui-Gon Jinn
Wise, kind, compassionate, and powerful, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was the undisputed hero of The Phantom Menace and was Anakin Skywalker’s first introduction to the ways of the Force. He recognized Anakin's raw natural abilities and asked the Jedi Council to get him on board despite their concerns that it was a risky move (which turned out to be totally true when Anakin turned into Darth Vader). He met his end at the end of The Phantom Menace via Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber.
“Always remember, your focus determines your reality.”
“Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him.”
- When Anakin asked him how he got his lightsaber.
“The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.”
24. Finn
Finn is an ex-stormtrooper who went turncoat early into The Force Awakens to provide vital aid in Poe Dameron’s escape. He tried really hard to be a good guy, but he made some fearful mistakes along the way. It’s the first time we see a stormtrooper unmasked and human. He’s also the first non-Jedi character in the films to wield a lightsaber in battle.
"The name's Finn and I'm in charge now!”
- to Captain Phasma.
“Solo, we'll figure it out. We'll use the Force.”
- Upon landing next to the Starkiller Base and trying to figure out how best to sneak in.
“You don't know a thing about me, what I've seen. We all need to run!”
-To Rey, explaining that they all need to escape or be killed by the First Order, moments before the place is assaulted by them.
23. Poe Dameron
Poe is the ace pilot of the Resistance in Disney’s Star Wars films. He blew up Starkiller Base and is an overall hot shot and hot head. He saves the day again and again in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
“We are the spark that’ll light the fire that’ll burn the First Order down.”
- Inspirational words for the Resistance fighters.
“Permission to jump in an X-wing and blow something up?”
- Asking permission from General Leia Organa to do what he does best.
“So, who talks first? You talk first? I talk first?…It’s just very hard to understand you with all the….apparatus.”
- Poe taunts Kylo Ren upon being captured in the beginning of The Force Awakens.
22. Greedo
Greedo is the bounty hunter that holds up Han Solo in the cantina in the original Star Wars movie, A New Hope. He’s really a minor character, but his scene is legendary with fans and there will forever be controversy over who shot first depending on which version of the film you’re watching. He also delivers some bad ass lines to Han Solo before he gets blasted.
“It's too late, you should have paid him when you had the chance. Jabba's put a price on your head so large every bounty hunter in the galaxy will be looking for you. I'm lucky I found you first.” - Greedo taunts Han Solo with blaster pistol pointed at him.
“Jabba's through with you. He has no time for smugglers who drop their shipments at the first sign of an Imperial cruiser.”
- Greedo has orders to kill Han Solo and he’s just building up the nerve to do it.
“I've been looking forward to this for a long time.”
- Greedo is about to fire on Han before Han gets the drop on him (in the real version).
21. Padme Amidala
Padme was the queen of Naboo in The Phantom Menace and has the honorable distinction of being the (former, late) wife of Anakin Skywalker and mother of twins Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. She’s bold, intelligent, strong, and beautiful.
“So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.”
- She is one of the few people who sees through Emperor Palpatine’s evil plan to control the galaxy when no one else in the Senate realizes what’s happening.
“All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow.”
- Attack of the Clones, commenting on the Jedi Council’s harsh criticism of Anakin.
“We live in a real world, come back to it. You're studying to become a Jedi, I'm... I'm a senator. If you follow your thoughts through to conclusion, it will take us to a place we cannot go, regardless of the way we feel about each other.”
- Padme’s ideological programming is telling her it’s wrong to get involved romantically with Anakin, but her heart is saying yes.
20. Grand Moff Tarkin
He was the big boss of the Death Star in A New Hope, the Empire’s moon-sized space station that could blow up planets with a super laser. He’s cold, calculating, and barks orders at Darth Vader like a top dog. In fact, if you only watched A New Hope and Rogue One, you’d think he was the central villain of Star Wars. He meets his end along with the destruction of the Death Star.
“Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it, signaling the order to terminate your life.”
- to Princess Leia before he blows up her home planet.
“Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station.”
- Explaining to his officers how the Empire will control its territories.
“Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances.”
- Tarkin refuses to evacuate the Death Star, moments before Luke Skywalker and the Rebellion blows the whole thing up.
19. Boba Fett
Boba Fett has a very small but critically important role in the original Star Wars films as well as Attack of the Clones. His father was cloned into every clone trooper, and he’s also responsible for delivering Han Solo into the hands of the Empire (and ultimately Jabba the Hutt). Fans love him for being cunning, ruthless, and having arguably the coolest armor in all of Star Wars.
“What if he doesn’t survive? He’s worth a lot to me.”
“He’s no good to me dead.”
“Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold.”
- Boba Fett’s stone cold comments as Han Solo is captured and frozen in carbonite at the end of The Empire Strikes Back.
18. Jabba The Hutt
Jabba is the big fat ugly crime lord slug boss that we meet in Return of the Jedi at his palace on the desert planet Tatooine. All we really know about him is that Han Solo owed him a big debt that he never repaid, so instead he kept Han on display in his palace chambers while Han was still frozen in carbonite. He is also known for dressing Leia in a very scantily-clad slave outfit and then getting choked out by her.
“I will not give up my favorite decoration. I like Captain Solo where he is.”
- Jabba's comments on Han Solo, who was on display in his palace chambers while Han was still frozen in carbonite.
“You weak minded fool! He’s using an old Jedi mind trick!”
-Jabba is way too smart to fall for Luke’s Force powers.
“There will be no bargain, young Jedi. I shall enjoy watching you die.”
- Jabba refuses Luke’s offer moments before dropping him down a trap door into a giant Rancor monster pit.
17. Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren is the son of Han and Leia and primary antagonist of Disney’s Star Wars films. He is a deeply troubled former Jedi who turned to the dark side. Unlike Vader, Kylo is clearly distressed and conflicted between his mad quest for power and his attraction to Rey and his heart’s yearning to return to the light side of the Force.
“I know what I must do. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to do it. Will you help me?”
- The audience thinks that he’s asking his father, Han Solo, for help to rejoin the light side and go back to his family. In reality, he’s asking Han for his help in switching on the lightsaber to murder him, as it is what Snoke instructed him to do.
“Nothing will stand in our way. I will finish what you started.”
- Kylo worships an idol of Darth Vader and is on a misguided mission to bring order to the galaxy through the dark side of the Force.
“Don’t fight it…you know you can’t!”
- Kylo taunts Rey in vain while he tries to use the Force to read her mind and reveal Luke Skywalker’s hidden location.
16. Chewbacca
Chewbacca is Han Solo’s partner, co-pilot, and best friend. He’s a Wookiee, which means he’s a giant hairy creature who communicates with bear growls. Despite looking ferocious, he’s more like a giant teddy bear. We only know what Chewbacca is saying by inference, since other characters will reply back in plain English. However, he’s one of Star Wars most beloved characters and kicks a lot of ass in the films.
“Gggghhrrrrrrowwwrrrr!”
- A New Hope, complaining about the smell before Chewbacca jumped down a garbage chute.
“Ggwwwrrghhh!”
- The Empire Strikes Back, Chewie’s sarcastic laugh in response to Luke getting a kiss on the lips from Leia instead of Han.
“Grrrrrooooooorr!”
- A New Hope, a low angry growl when losing to R2D2 in 3D space chess.
15. Rey
Although she is criticized for being a “Mary Sue” character (someone who can do everything exceedingly well with no explanation), we still don’t know everything about her mysterious past. She basically kicks everyone’s ass, even defeating Kylo Ren in battle and Luke in a training session.
“I know how to run without you holding my hand!”
- Finn totally underestimate’s just how much of a bad ass Rey is when they first meet.
“You’ll never be as powerful as Darth Vader.”
- With seemingly no Jedi training at all, Rey is able to counter Kylo’s dark-side Force mind probe and strikes back with her own psychic attack.
“You will remove these restraints and leave this cell with the door open…You will drop your weapon.”
- As Rey becomes aware of her Force capabilities, she uses a Jedi mind trick to persuade the stormtrooper guard to release her from her shackles and drop his weapon!
14. Admiral Ackbar
Admiral Ackbar was the commander of the entire Rebel Alliance forces at the end of Return of the Jedi. He plays a small but extremely critical role in the series and is totally beloved by fans. He meets an unfortunate end in The Last Jedi but his legacy will live on.
“All craft, prepare to jump into hyperspace on my mark!”
- Ackbar gives the order to his entire fleet as they prepare for the biggest military operation in the history of the Rebel Alliance at the end of Return of the Jedi.
“It’s a trap!”
- One of the most famous lines in all of Star Wars, Akbar realizes they’d been had by the Emperor when their fleet runs directly into a massive ambush.
“We've got to give those fighters more time. Concentrate all fire on that Super Star Destroyer.”
- Ackbar gives the incredibly risky but ultimately worthwhile order to move his fleet closer to the deadly star destroyers in hopes that the Death Star will then be unable to fire its laser cannon on them.
13. Lando Calrissian
When we first meet Lando, he’s a suave, self-interested gambler who betrays Han and his friends to Darth Vader. He lost his ship, the Millennium Falcon, to Han Solo in a high-stakes card game in Solo: A Star Wars Story, and we even see him try to cheat. But he quickly redeems himself and eventually leads Ackbar’s rebel assault against the 2nd Death Star in Return of the Jedi.
“Everything you’ve heard about me is true.”
- Totally full of himself, a young Lando brags to a young Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars Story, before cheating to win in a game of cards.
“Hello — what have we here…You look absolutely beautiful. You truly belong here with us among the clouds.”
- When we first meet Lando in The Empire Strikes Back, he briefly says hello to Han and totally ignores C-3PO and goes straight to flirting with Princess Leia, kissing her on the hand.
“This deal is getting worse all the time!”
- Lando immediately regrets making a deal with Darth Vader and quickly moves to make amends for his mistake.
12. Wedge Antilles
Wedge is perhaps the most underrated character in all of Star Wars. He’s an ace pilot and was directly involved in every major battle in all three original films. He saved Luke Skywalker’s life at least once and eventually commanded his own squadron in Return of the Jedi.
“Look at the size of that thing!”
- Wedge accurately comments on the size of the Death Star during the Rebel’s assault in A New Hope.
“Copy, Gold Leader. I'm already on my way out!”
- Wedge replies to Lando Calrissian’s order to attack the 2nd Death Star in Return of the Jedi.
“Whoa! That got him!”
- Wedge’s appropriate statement right after destroying a giant AT-AT Walker in the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back.
11. K-2SO
K-2SO is inarguably the best character in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. His dialogue is bold and hilarious and he steals every scene he is in. He’s a bad ass, witty, and sarcastic reprogrammed Imperial security droid who fought for the rebels and was instrumental in acquiring the Death Star’s construction plans, which led directly to Rebellion’s eventual victory.
"The Captain says you're a friend. I will not kill you.”
"There is a 97.6 percent chance of failure.”
- Droids are known for knowing the odds to situations, but in this case he’s just being snarky.
"There were a lot of explosions for two people blending in.”
- K-2SO's sarcastic statement right after blowing up a couple stormtroopers with a grenade.
10. Chirrut Îmwe
Ok, I take it back: Chirrut is the best character in Rogue One. He’s the deeply-spiritual protector of the Jedi temple in Jedha and he’s a totally kick-ass force-sensitive ninja and one of the most bad ass characters to ever grace the Star Wars stories. Oh, and he's blind!
"The Force is with me, and I fear nothing.”
- Chirrut's debut scene is just incredibly bad ass - he walks out in the middle of a group of stormtroopers and proceeds to dominate all of them.
“I am one with the Force. The Force is with me.”
- His mantra which focuses his Force powers and allows him to kill almost *almost* everybody.
"Look for the Force and you will always find me.”
- Chirrut is fearless even facing imminent death.
9. C-3P0
He is the first character we ever meet in Star Wars. He’s often the comic relief - he’s a paranoid droid, clumsy, and fearful, and is perhaps the most straight-laced character in all of Star Wars. He plays a major role in the original trilogy, and often lets us know what R2-D2 is saying by inference.
“Excuse me sir, but that R2-D2 is in prime condition, a real bargain.”
- C-3PO cunningly convinces Luke to buy his friend, R2-D2, at the droid sale in A New Hope.
“Oh, yes, that’s much better… Something’s not right, because now I can’t see. Oh, oh, yes, that’s much better. Wait… wait. Oh, my. What have you done? I’m backwards! You flea-bitten furball! Only an overgrown mop-head like you would be stupid enough to —”
- C-3PO curses at Chewbacca for installing his head on backwards, moments before being shut off.
“In his belly you will find a new definition of pain and suffering as you are slowly digested over a thousand years.”
- C-3PO reveals Jabba’s plan to feed the protagonists to the Sarlaac, the fabled desert sand monster.
8. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan, also known as Ben, was the Jedi instructor for both Luke and Anakin. He is a legendary Jedi Knight and is perhaps the most influential character in Star Wars, appearing in episodes 1-6 including the most vital universe-building and plot-forwarding scenes in all of Star Wars.
“You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”
- Obi-Wan knows a power of the Force that Vader will never know as a dark side user.
"Use the Force, Luke!”
- Obi-Wan spoke from the grave to give the Luke the motivation needed to help him blow up the Death Star at the end of A New Hope.
“Mos Eisley spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.”
- Even Obi-Wan, a grizzled war veteran and Jedi Master, knows to remain alert and cautious when necessary.
7. Princess Leia Organa
Princess Leia is pretty much the only female character in Star Wars up until Return of the Jedi! And she’s one of the greatest film characters of all time. She’s a near perfect shot with the blaster pistol, she is strong-willed, intelligent, witty, and is a general in the Rebel Alliance against the Empire. Leia is basically awesome - she can even use the Force to fly in outer space, totally unprecedented and extremely unexpected but still pretty cool.
“Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding Vader’s leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board.”
- Upon meeting with Grand Moff Tarkin in A New Hope.
“Someone has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, fly boy.”
- Leia boldly leads the way during the escape from the Death Star’s prison cells.
“Would it help if I got out and pushed?”
- Leia scolds Han Solo when the ship’s engines fail before their escape from Hoth at the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back
6. Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is the primary protagonist of the Star Wars films. The original movie is all about his hero’s journey from small time farm boy, to learning about the Force, to destroying the Death Star and securing a huge victory for the Rebel Alliance. By the time The Force Awakens comes around, he’s a living legend, even a myth, and also no where to be seen, unable to face his shame for failing at the Jedi Academy. Despite this tragedy, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest Jedi Masters ever.
“I’m Luke Skywalker. I’m here to rescue you.”
- Luke fully assumes the role of hero while rescuing Princess Leia in A New Hope.
“It’s not impossible. I used to shoot womprats with my T16 back home. They were no bigger than two meters.”
- Luke is a very skilled pilot and comments that the Death Star’s weak spot, which is an incredibly small target of only two meters, is not impossible to hit.
“I won’t fail you. I’m not afraid.”
- Luke begins his training with Jedi Master Yoda and has no idea what’s in store for him.
5. Emperor Palpatine
Emperor Palpatine, or Darth Sideous, is the Dark Lord of the Sith and the #1 big boss bad guy of Star Wars. He toys with Luke before he intended to kill him by just showing off some lightning powers, giving the audience a hint at the tremendous evil the dark side is capable of. He is the undisputed star and best character of the prequel films.
“Perhaps you refer to the imminent attack of your rebel fleet? Yes, I assure you, we are quite safe from your friends here.”
- Palpatine responds to Luke’s prediction that he will soon be dead. Luke is unaware that Palpatine has set up a trap for the entire rebel fleet.
“I’m looking forward to completing your training. In time you will call me master.”
- Palpatine is overconfident that Luke will replace his father as Palpatine’s Sith underling.
“So be it... Jedi!” - Palpatine’s evil response to Luke’s "I am a Jedi" proclamation, right before shooting lightning all over him.
4. Yoda
Yoda is the greatest Jedi Master in Star Wars. At over 900 years old, he trained countless Jedi in his lifetime, all of whom fell before him with the exception of Luke. His last students included Obi-Wan Kenobi and finally Luke Skywalker.
“Luminous beings are we…not this crude matter.”
- Yoda teaches Luke the ways of the Force and trains him to see beyond material reality.
“Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.”
- Yoda’s instruction in using the Force involves a tremendous application of willpower.
“A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.”
- Yoda explains to Luke some differences between the dark and the light side of the Force.
3. Han Solo
Han Solo is a dashing scoundrel, rude, wisecracking, an expert pilot, a rogue smuggler, and an unlikely hero of the Rebel Alliance. He is one of the primary protagonists of the original Star Wars trilogy, and meets his end at the hands of his son in The Force Awakens. He is arguably the most popular character in Star Wars. He was recently given his own origin-story prequel film entitled Solo: A Star Wars Story.
“You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon? She's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. She's fast enough for you, old man.”
- Luke and Obi Wan need a pilot in A New Hope, and Han is the man for the job.
“Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, farm boy. Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star or bounce too close to a supernova, and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?”
- Han explains to Luke (and the audience) how hyperspace travel works.
“Never tell me the odds!”
- Han, a proficient and daring gambler, does not want to hear C-3PO rattle off their impossible chances to survive flying through an asteroid field.
2. R2-D2
R2-D2 is the most lovable robot of all time. He communicates through a language of bloops and bleeps, and even though we can’t understand exactly what he’s saying, other characters (especially his counterpart C-3PO) let us infer very well, and the inflection and pitch of his beeps gives the audience a brilliant impression of the droid’s often sarcastic tone and mood. He saves the day more times than we can count and is one of the very few characters to appear in every Star Wars film episode.
“Bloopbloopbloopwoowheewoo”
- in A New Hope, R2-D2 saves everyones lives by turning off the trash compactor in the Death Star.
“Bzzz!Beeeep!”
- in Return of the Jedi, R2-D2 boldly shocks Jabba The Hutt’s little monkey-looking henchman, displaying bravery, and who knows what kind of swear words he was hurling at him.
“Bbeebeepbeepwoowoowoobeep.”
- in The Empire Strikes Back, R2-D2 informs C-3PO that the Millennium Falcon’s hyperdrive was turned off and proceeds to re-activate it, saving the day.
1. Darth Vader 
Darth Vader is the greatest bad ass the galaxy has ever seen. Real name Anakin Skywalker, the Star Wars saga from episodes 1-6 is all about his story, from slave boy, to Jedi Knight in training, to the tragic events that led him to become a Dark Sith Lord. Obi Wan aptly describes him as, "more mahine now than man, twisted and evil." He is one of the most iconic villains in cinema history.
“The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.”
- Darth Vader hints at the power of the Force right before choking out an Imperial officer (“I find your lack of faith disturbing”), an action he acquires a very strong taste for later on.
“The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner. Now I am the master.”
- Darth Vader taunts his old master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, during the simplest yet most compelling lightsaber battle of the series.
“I am altering the deal. Pray I don’t alter it any further.”
- Darth Vader, being a super powerful dark side of the force user, can do pretty much anything he wants, including going back on his deal with Lando Calrissian in The Empire Strikes Back.
Star Wars has some very quotable lines of dialogue, including a few of the most famous lines in all of cinema history. I didn’t include all of them, (i.e. “No, I am your father!”) but this is a good taste of the most bad ass lines from the some of the most intriguing people in the galaxy. Apologies to Darth Maul fans, I really wanted to include him in this list, but he has a grand total of two lines in The Phantom Menace and I'm simply not counting the Han Solo origin story.
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