EntertainmentThe 35 greatest Star Wars charactersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentThe 35 greatest Star Wars charactersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there lived countless heroes and villains. But which ones from throughout all of Star Wars deserve recognition as some of the greatest of all time?
Starting with George Lucas' Star Wars in 1977, the gargantuan media franchise has spawned literally countless incredible characters across multiple movies, books, TV shows, and video games. WhilesomeStar Wars characters are, shall we say, obscure - Taslin Brance, anyone? - others have given generations instruction between good and evil, between justice and tyranny.
Rooted in Lucas' own affections for classical mythology and cinema, the many characters of Star Wars have nods to familiar pop culture archetypes. All of them call to mind the likes of King Arthur to Akira Kurosawa’s cinematic samurai. While George Lucas hasn’t been in control of Star Wars since the end of the prequel trilogy and the sale ofLucasfilmtoDisneyin 2012, many of his successors have taken great strides to continue where he left off.
With the Star Wars franchise marching ever forward, here are the 35 greatest Star Wars characters. (Note: For simplicity’s sake we’re excluding characters from the Extended Universe, now termed “Legends.” If we considered the EU, this list would be as big as the Death Star.)
35. The Bendu
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
There are no such things as “Gray Jedis,” at least in any official Star Wars media. But the animated series Star Wars Rebels had the memorably enigmatic entity “The Bendu,” a wise and ancient creature from the remote planet Atollon who claims to inhabit the center of the light and dark sides of the Force. Doctor Who alum Tom Baker lends his voice for this imposing Star Wars figure, who mentors Kanan Jarrus on the importance of balance - not just in the Force, but in life as well. Truly unlike any other character in Star Wars history, The Bendu suggests that this galaxy far, far away is older and stranger than we can ever know.
34. Bo-Katan Kryze
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
33. Qimir, aka “The Stranger”
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
No one suspected the weasel Qimir to be a Sith lord. But that’s just how The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto stole the Disney+ series The Acolyte. First appearing as a conniving low-life named Qimir, he eventually revealed his true identity as the dark Sith Lord called “The Stranger” who covertly hired Mae to assassinate several Jedi during the days of the High Republic. The reveal made fans lose their minds, both for Jacinto’s performance - and ridiculously chiseled arms - and for snapping the sleepy The Acolyte to invigorating life. Also, we’ll just say it: He has one of the coolest helmets in all of Star Wars. Arguably even cooler than Vader or any Fett.
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32. K-2SO
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
31. Kuiil
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
30. Moff Gideon
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
29. Deedra Meero
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
28. Poe Dameron
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
27. Admiral Thrawn
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
26. Chirrut Îmwe
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
25. Sabine Wren
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
24. General Grievous
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
23. Mace Windu
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
22. Qui-Gon Jinn
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
21. BB-8
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
Not only is BB-8 a technical marvel of practical filmmaking, he’s also one of the cutest little dudes ever. The loyal, resourceful astromech droid who accompanies Poe Dameron became the de facto mascot of the sequel trilogy era, succeeding R2-D2 to uphold Star Wars' enduring image as pulp sci-fi for all ages. Like his mechanical predecessor in silver and blue, the orange and white BB-8 is nonverbal - instead “talking” in beeps and bloops - yet comedians Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz still lent their voices for the filmmakers to distort into vague speech-like patterns.
20. Cassian Andor
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
19. Lando Calrissian
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
18. Ahsoka Tano
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
17. Grogu
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
16. Chewbacca
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
15. Darth Maul
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
14. Doctor Aphra
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
13. R2-D2
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
He’s not just a droid, he’sthedroid. The most resourceful astromech android is as iconic as Star Wars itself, a humble icon who has rolled his way into historic battles and moments. His unmistakable, expressive beeps are quintessential Star Wars, as synonymous to the universe as the cracking ignition of a lightsaber. For decades R2-D2 has endeared himself to everyone in both the Rebel Alliance and the Resistance, not to mention the millions of real-world fans who adore him. When Luke received that distress message from Leia, don’t forget: It was R2-D2 who was the projector.
12. Yoda
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
11. Finn
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
10. Din Djarin
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
9. Palpatine
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
8. Kylo Ren
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
7. Boba Fett
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
6. Rey
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
5. Luke Skywalker
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
4. Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
3. Han Solo
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
2. Princess/General Leia
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
Feisty, fierce, and tremendously independent, the “Princess” in Princess Leia Organa is nothing more than a formal title. Carrie Fisher’s icon of womanhood has little resemblance to the dainty princesses of old fairy tales, but in fact a cunning heroine of the rebellion whose strong diplomatic skills translate into military strategy. Intelligent, brave, and unwavering in her hope for the better, Leia is simply too big of a hero to put into precious few words. The passing of Fisher in 2016 only made Leia more enduring in our consciousness.
1. Darth Vader
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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1
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”