Aliens, imperials, and droids oh my!
TheStar Wars-obsessed writers ofEntertainment Weeklyembarked on a quest as seemingly impossible as blowing up a Death Star…TWICE!
Our Gold Squadron group of obsessives selected and ranked the top 100 onscreenStar Warscharacters ever.
Illustration by Gluekit for EW; Images courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.
(Sorry, Mara Jade!)
Who will take the top spot?
More importantly, how many members of the Max Rebo Band will make the cut?
The Bendu from ‘Star Wars Rebels’.Lucasfilm via Getty Images
How will the Sith stack up?
And which animated characters will battle their way into contention?
Join us as we (Imperial) march our way from 100 all the way down to No.
Babu Frik in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’.Lucasfilm
).Nick Romano
99. and Imperial commanders who routinely kill their own minions.
Lauren Morgan
97.
Or he stayed true to his name and kept selling death sticks.
Orka and Flix from ‘Star Wars Resistance’.Lucasfilm via Getty Images
That’s probably more likely.Devan Coggan
96.
But the beauty of Dexter Jettser lies not just with his multiple limbs (great for hugging!
), nor his keen insight beyond the Outer Rim.
Maximilian Veers from ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’.Lucasfilm
Dalton Ross
95.
Moff Gideon
Moff Gideon, the menacing Imperial introduced onThe Mandalorian, lives and dies byGiancarlo Esposito.
We love to see theBreaking Badall-star in a villain role.
Illustration by Gluekit for EW; Images courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.
(Cue theAvengers: Endgameaudience cheer sound every time he pops up on screen with a new persona.)
There’s also a perpetual air of mystery about him.
How did he get the Darksaber in the first place?
Zam Wessell in ‘Star Wars: Attack of the Clones’.Lucasfilm/Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
We’d read an entire trilogy of books, a laThrawn,about his pre-Mandalorianexploits.N.R.
It’sBabu Frik, the little droidsmith who does about as much for Staten Island representation asPete Davidson.
Plus, you gotta love a puppet performance.N.R.
Plo Koon in ‘Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’.Lucasfilm Ltd.
Sy Snootles
Which Sy Snootles is your Sy Snootles?
Or perhaps you groove to the neo-Jazz choreography of “Jedi Rocks” in the Special Edition?
The kids know Sy was no mere singer, but aClone Warsspy with a history of Hutt love.
Carl Weathers as Greef Karga in ‘The Mandalorian’.Francois Duhamel/Lucasfilm Ltd.
Darren Franich
92.
Captain Phasma
Yes, the suit does a lot of the work here.
Having a super badass chrome stormtrooper uniform (with a cape!)
Admiral Piett in ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’.Lucasfilm
91 & 90.
We love Flix and Orka."
Now, let’s see more gay people in live-actionStar Wars!N.R.
Illustration by Gluekit for EW; Images courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.
FN-2199
All together now: “TRAITOR!”
The single coolest stormtrooper in the canon earns a spot on this list for his brief-but-memorable face-off with Finn.
That one line carries an unexpected world of hurt.
Kuiil in ‘The Mandalorian’.Lucasfilm
It’s an epic touch, and the swirly wrist-baton was the coolest weapon introduced in the revival.D.F.
It’s a bold, but quite understandable, decision.
Ki-Adi-Mundi
This towering Cerean warrior brought a little extra mind power to the Jedi Council.
Chopper in ‘Star Wars Rebels’.Disney XD
General Veers (Julian Glover) is therefore an important counter-example of competence.
Christian Holub
85.
Maz Kanata plays a small but important role in the sequel films.
Paige Tico in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’.Lucasfilm Ltd.
83 & 82.
Uncle Owen & Aunt Beru
The most important thing about Beru and Owen Lars is that they are boring.
Wonderfully, simply boring.
Wedge Antilles in ‘Star Wars’.Lucasfilm Ltd.
They work hard at their moisture farm, a place where absolutely nothing ever happens.
Shelagh Fraser gives Beru a twinkle that lets you know she knows Luke’s destined for better things.
Their death marks the end of boredom in Luke’s life.
Illustration by Gluekit for EW; Images courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.
Last seen as, like, charred skeletons, about as bad a way as anyStar Warscharacter ever goes.
If Hulk smashes, then Wrecker wrecks.
But we appreciate a man of few words.
Lobot in ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’.Lucasfilm/Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
Just don’t say the word “stealth” in his presence.
He hates that word.
Subtlety is not his strong suit.N.R.
Captain Rex in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’.Lucasfilm
If only he had just gone to H.R.
Shmi Skywalker
Shmi Skywalker (Pernilla August) may beStar Wars' closest thing to a saint.
Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) also proves that the Rebellion was far from a monolith.
Boba Fett in ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’.Lucasfilm
Zam Wesell
Sure, this elite Clawdite assassin (Leeanna Walsman) isn’t particularly great at her job.
(Surely there has to be a more efficient assassination method than death by bug?)
DJ
At the risk of rehashing the dreadfulLast Jedidiscourse (it was great, move on!
Grogu in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’.Lucasfilm
What does it mean to be technically neither good nor evil?
That’s where DJ steps in; a character who is fundamentally out for himself.
And who doesn’t love a heroic sacrifice?
Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’.Jonathan Olley/© 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Even Din was forced to reevaluate his opinion of droids after seeing IG-11 evolve so beautifully.
C.H
72.
He was a fierce defender of life, especially those of the clones he led as a Jedi General.
Illustration by Gluekit for EW; Images courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.
The podracing, trash-talking Dug may not be a paragon of sportsmanship.
But, in all fairness, who among us hasn’t also been annoyed by those two characters?
Malakili the Rancor Keeper
Yep, that’s his name!
Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron in Star Wars: ‘The Force Awakens’.David James/©Lucasfilm 2015
It’s hard not to like him more with every viewing ofReturn of the Jedi.
Take those elements and combine them with a cute hands-on relationship with Grogu?
Baby, you’ve got a stew going!
K-2SO in ‘Rogue One’.Lucasfilm
Biggs Darklighter
Without Biggs (Garrick Hagon), there would be no Luke Skywalker.
Plus, he rocks one hell of a mustache.D.C.
Nunb only flew icons!)
Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine in ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’.Lucasfilm, Ltd.
was short-circuited by Emperor Palpatine’s force lightning.
Nunb and audiences deserved better.C.K.
Jango Fett
“I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe.”
Mark Hamill as Luke Sykwalker in ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’.Lucasfilm Ltd.
As played by Kenneth Colley, Piett comes off as an eager-to-hey yes-man.
Can you blame him?
He only got the promotion because his last boss got Vader-strangled.
Harrison Ford as Han Solo in ‘Star Wars’.Lucasfilm
This is not a person with a lot of professional options in his future.
He’s a monster, no question, but an oddly resonant monster.
In brighter times, he might’ve been a very annoying, non-evil accountant.
Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in ‘Star Wars’.Lucasfilm, Ltd.
Instead, he gets killed by an A-Wing; not an X-Wing, not even a Y-Wing.D.F.
Peli Motto
Amy Sedarisin space!
That’s one of the nicest thingsThe Mandalorianhas given us.
You want to talk about making a big impact?
Trandoshan’s favorite son gets precisely one close-up.
His toenails are on screen longer than his face.
Why was Bossk so beloved?
Because he looksfreaking wild.
Where’s Bossk’sBook, Disney?D.F.
Count Dooku
Perhaps we like this silver-bearded baddie for the way Obi-Wan Kenobi says his name.
(“You won’t get away this time, Dooku!")
He’s also such a shady queen: “Yoda holds you in such high esteem.
Surely you’ve got the option to do better.”
As they say onRuPaul’s Drag Race, the library is open.N.R.
Plus, who doesn’t loveMads Mikkelsen?D.F.
Is there anything Kuiil (Nick Nolte) could not do?
But he earned it with his bravery, blunt conciseness, and fashion-forward goggle cap.
Greedo
Greedo only lasted for a few minutes in the originalStar Wars but what a spotlight it is!
Asajj Ventress
Asajj Ventress may be best known as a villain, but she was never that alone.
Fennec Shand
Thank the Maker that Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) didn’t die in her firstMandalorianappearance.
Otherwise, we would’ve been robbed of this cool, sarcastic assassin.
And although she can be ruthless, she’s also fiercely loyal.
No wonder Boba Fett and Din Djarin are constantly looking to her for help.D.C.
With his long fingernails and pointy smile, Bib Fortuna is the very image of a scheming vizier.
Plus, Cushing’s skeletal presence makes a stark contrast with all the energetic young Rebels.D.F.
Oh, and special shout-out to Bane’s cybernetic breathing tubes, which protect him from Force-choking Sith lords.
And he hunts Jedi for sport!
Wedge Antilles
There are heroes who save the universe, and then there are the people who just survive.
What a guy, that Wedge Antilles!D.F.
The Client
The Client isn’t so much a famous character, but they’re a famous sound.
He’s like the new FN-2199.
He doesn’t really do anything, but people have probably watched that clip countless times.
Plus, we just love seeingWerner Herzogliving his best life in a galaxy far, far away.N.R.
A question more of us need to ponder: Is Salacious B. Crumb the real hero?D.F.
Orson Krennic
Bureaucracy has never seemed so sinister.
Plus, next to Vader and Lando, he has the distinct honor of having one ofStar Wars’coolest capes.
Just look at the way it billows as he struts around Scarif!
Truly the peak of galactic fashion.
D.C.
41.
Bail Organa
Well,someonein the prequels-era galaxy had to be a dependable leader.
Plus, he’s a top-notch gunslinger, and he looks pretty sharp in beskar armor.D.C.
Lobot
This Bespin cyborg doesn’t have a lot to say, but he keeps Cloud City functioning.
Sometimes, to make an impression, you don’t have to say a single word.D.C.
Her death makes her character arc all the more poignant; not all stories have happy endings.N.R.
A truly befitting ending for the best clone trooper in the Grand Army of the Republic.
Does he have feelings for Rey?
Or Poe?!C.K.
(Take that, Anakin!)
Cassian Andor
Cassian shot first!
Why are we not talking more about that?
Let’s be honest: This thing’s body is a freaking bouncy ball.
Can a robot get any cuter?D.F.
But who are we kidding?
It’s all about the smile.
We haven’t stopped smiling since.
Hera Syndulla
If you’re staging a rebellion against an all-powerful Empire, you wantRebels’Hera Syndulla on your side.
And how good of a plan was it?
So good that it worked even though…
IT WAS A TRAP!
She’s just a mechanic, doing her best to help the Resistance however she can.
She serves as a reminder that it isn’t Skywalkers who keep the galaxy running.
It’s loyal, decent, everyday people like Rose.D.C.
23 & 22.
The Force is with me.”
For Holdo, being a leader was more about saving lives than scoring enemy kills.
But her jaw-dropping final act was a little of both.C.K.
They have no idea what he’s seen!
Din Djarin/The Mandalorian
For decades,Star Warswas known as a blockbuster film franchise.
But could it make the lightspeed jump to live-action TV?
EnterThe Mandalorian and with it, the future ofStar Wars.
No longer a lone wolf, Din fought his way across the galaxy to deliver Grogu to the Jedi.
Poe Dameron
Poe Dameron was supposed to die.
Isaac is so irresistible in the role that he even manages to bring gravitas to the silliest of lines.
(Although we have no comment on “Somehow, Palpatine returned.")D.C.
And he had nothing but disdain for politicians' poppycock.
Mace was also smart.
Is the fact that Maul came back from the dead after beingliterallysliced in half a tad absurd?
Also, double lightsabers are rad.
K-2SO
Why is K-2SO so high on our list?
Because this glitchy reprogrammed imperial droid is hands down the funniest machine in theStar Warsuniverse.
Don’t believe us?
Then we say, QUIET!
And there’s a fresh one if you mouth off again.
You gotta admit, Jabba puts on a hell of a show.D.F.
Kylo Ren
12.
R2-D2
R2-D2 is a gay icon.
Hear us out: He’s a truly over-the-top character making all sorts of theatrical boops and beeps.
He comes alive when there’s drama.
He’s super shady; just listen to remarks he makes to C-3PO.
you might’t trust that kind of sensitive intel with straight men.
Still, few images immediately evokeStar Warsquite like R2’s round figure.N.R.
McDiarmid had even more fun in the prequel series, where Palpatine unleashes his ever-so-gradual strategy for galactic domination.
He was also inTheRise of Skywalker, but don’t hold that against him.D.F.
Lando Calrissian
We love pansexual representation words we never thought we’d use to describe the debonaire Lando Calrissian.
Even without that element, Lando’s impact onStar Warsendures.
He’s a messy figure, andStar Warsloves mess almost as much as Marie Kondo.N.R.
Chewbacca is the reason many of the best quotes from the original trilogy are wordless growls.
His roars can be victorious.
They can scare away stormtroopers.
In one heartrendingEmpiremoment, his cry of concern echoes through Hoth.
All that plus the bowcaster, an awesome piece of future-past weaponry.
Ahsoka started out as Anakin’s brash Padawan, earning the nickname “Snips” for her attitude.
(He, the future fearsome Darth Vader, became “SkyGuy.")
While their relationship was contentious at first, it evolved as they eventually became family to each other.
Outside of her bond with Anakin, Ahsoka became a fan favorite entirely on her own volition.
Luke Skywalker
What wouldStar Warseven be without its original hero?
Luke Skywalker comes in many flavors, just likeStar Warsitself.
Rey
Don’t hold her lineage against her.
Rey Skywalker is pretty gosh darn close though.
He then banishes himself to Tatooine to protect the son of his former apprentice from a safe distance.
Is it a form of psychological self-flagellation?
A punishment for his failings as a Jedi and a teacher?
Find out onObi-Wan Kenobi.N.R.
After all, this is the guy who made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.
(He’s also not great at talking to princesses.)
We love him and he knows.D.C.
He’s also one of the onlyStar Warscreations who consistently shines across all three trilogies.
Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker
Darth Vader is arguably the most iconic character in the history of pop culture.
He has it all: the iconic look (black armor, red lightsaber).
The iconic sound (a combo platter ofJames Earl Jonesand mechanical breathing).
The iconic line (“I am your father”).
repeatedly or crying out “NOOOOOOOOOO!”
(“Not just the men, but the women and the children, too.")
But there’s nothing typical aboutCarrie Fisher’s Leia.
(After all, somebody’s gotta save our skins.)
Illustration by Gluekit for EW; images courtesy of Lucasfilm
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