Whether you grew up with the original trilogy, rode the high drama of the prequels, or jumped in during the Disney+ streaming era, one thing’s universal: Star Wars is defined by its characters. From Jedi Masters and Sith Lords to rogue smugglers, rebel leaders, bounty hunters, and droids, the galaxy far, far away is packed with iconic personalities who shaped pop culture forever.
In this definitive ranking of the top 50 Star Wars characters, we considered impact, storytelling, legacy, fan love, and straight-up vibes. That means some controversial picks, a few deep cuts, and plenty of debate fuel. Yes, Darth Vader’s in here. Yes, Grogu made the cut.
Let the ranking begin.
50) Bib FortunaFirst Appearance: Episode VI: Return Of The JediNotable Quote: “Bargain rather than fight? He’s no Jedi.”
49) Wedge AntillesFirst Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: “Look at the size of that thing!”
48) Maz KanataFirst Appearance: Episode VII: The Force AwakensNotable Quote: “The belonging you seek is not behind you…it is ahead.”
47) Aurra SingFirst Appearance: Episode I: The Phantom MenaceNotable Quote: “I never ask permission to do anything my darling.”
46) Wicket W. WarrickFirst Appearance: Episode VI: Return of The JediNotable Quote: *Ewok Grunts*
45) Mon MothmaFirst Appearance: Episode VI: Return of The JediNotable Quote: “The Emperor’s made a critical error, and the time for our attack has come.”
44) Saw GerreraFirst Appearance: Rogue OneNotable Quote: “One fighter with a sharp stick, and nothing left to lose, can take the day.”
The Greatest Lightsaber Duels in Star Wars History, Ranked43) Admiral AckbarFirst Appearance: Episode VI: Return of The JediNotable Quote: “It’s a trap!”
42) General GrievousFirst Appearance: Episode II: Attack of The ClonesNotable Quote: “Your lightsabers will make a fine addition to my collection.”
41) Chopper (C1-10P)First Appearance: RebelsNotable Quote: *Rude Boops*
40) Bo Katan KryzeFirst Appearance: The Clone WarsNotable Quote: “Mandalore will survive, we always survive.”
39) Supreme Leader SnokeFirst Appearance: Episode VII: The Force AwakensNotable Quote: “There has been an awakening, he you felt it?”
38) Hondo OhnakaFirst Appearance: The Clone WarsNotable Quote: “Some of the truth is better than none of the truth, which is what you used to get from me, so don’t say I hen’t grown!”
37) BB-8First Appearance: Episode VII: The Force AwakensNotable Quote: *Droid Noises*
36) FinnFirst Appearance: Episode VII: The Force AwakensNotable Quote: “I’m a big deal in The Resistance.”
35) ReyFirst Appearance: Episode VII: The Force AwakensNotable Quote: “I am all the Jedi.”
34) Padme AmidalaFirst Appearance: Episode I: The Phantom MenaceNotable Quote: “So this is how liberty dies: with thunderous applause.”
33) Ezra BridgerFirst Appearance: RebelsNotable Quote: “Stand up together. Because that’s when we are strongest, as one.”
32) Jango FettFirst Appearance: Episode II: Attack Of The ClonesNotable Quote: “I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe.”
31) Director Orson KrennicFirst Appearance: Rogue OneNotable Quote: “We were on the verge of greatness. We were this close to providing peace and security for the galaxy.”
30) Poe DameronFirst Appearance: Episode VII: The Force AwakensNotable Quote: “We are the spark that’ll light the fire that’ll burn the First Order down.”
29) Hera SyndullaFirst Appearance: RebelsNotable Quote: “We he hope, hope that things will get better. And They Will”
28) Dash RendarFirst Appearance: Shadows Of The EmpireNotable Quote: “Besides, it’s nice to be remembered as a martyr and still be alive, right?”
27) Cad BaneFirst Appearance: The Clone WarsNotable Quote: “I'm your worst nightmare, pal.”
26) Kylo RenFirst Appearance: Episode VII: The Force AwakensNotable Quote: “Let the past die, kill it if you he to. That’s the only way to become what you are meant to be.”
25) Asajj VentressFirst Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone WarsNotable Quote: "Jedi! Their Order is a fading light in the dark. Corrupt and arrogant, they must be punished. The Jedi shall fall!"
24) Grand Moff TarkinFirst Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: “Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station.”
23) Jabba the HuttFirst Appearance: Episode VI: Return Of The JediNotable Quote: “There will be no bargain young Jedi, I shall enjoy watching you die.”
22) Mace WinduFirst Appearance: Episode I: The Phantom MenaceNotable Quote: “This party’s over.”
21) Count DookuFirst Appearance: Episode II: Attack Of The ClonesNotable Quote: “I sense great fear in you, Skywalker. You he hate, you he anger, but you don’t use them.”
20) Ahsoka TanoFirst Appearance: The Clone WarsNotable Quote: “Lets just say I don’t follow standard Jedi protocol.”
19) Moff GideonFirst Appearance: The MandalorianNotable Quote: “A friendly piece of advice: Assume that I know everything.”
18) Cassian AndorFirst Appearance: Rogue OneNotable Quote: “I'd rather die trying to take them down than die giving them what they want.”
17) Qui-Gon JinnFirst Appearance: Episode I: The Phantom MenaceNotable Quote: “He is the chosen one, he will bring balance.”
16) Darth MaulFirst Appearance: Episode I: The Phantom MenaceNotable Quote: “At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will he revenge.”
15) Grand Admiral ThrawnFirst Appearance: Heir To The Empire NovelNotable Quote: “I do not require glory, only results for my Emperor.”
14) Emperor Palpatine/Darth SideousFirst Appearance: Episode VI: Return Of The JediNotable Quote: “The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.”
13) Din DjarinFirst Appearance: The MandalorianNotable Quote: “I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold.”
12) Lando CalrisseanFirst Appearance: Episode V: The Empire Strikes BackNotable Quote: “You truly belong here with us among the clouds.”
11) C-3P0First Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: “We seem to be made to suffer. It’s our lot in life.”
10) R2-D2First Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: *Series of Beeps and Boops*
9) GroguFirst Appearance: The MandalorianNotable Quote: *Baby noises*
8) ChewbaccaFirst Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: *Wookie Noises*
7) Leia OrganaFirst Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.”
6) Obi-Wan KenobiFirst Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: “If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”
5) YodaFirst Appearance: Episode V: The Empire Strikes BackNotable Quote: “Do, or do not, there is no try."
4) Boba FettFirst Appearance: The Star Wars Holiday SpecialNotable Quote: “He’s no good to me dead.”
3) Luke SkywalkerFirst Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: “You he failed your highness, I am a Jedi, like my father before me.”
2) Han SoloFirst Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: “Never tell me the odds!”
1) Anakin Skywalker/Darth VaderFirst Appearance: Episode IV: A New HopeNotable Quote: “I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do.”