Our favourite Star Wars characters from planets far, far away are included on this indispensable list. Similar to the cosmos, Star Wars is ever-growing.
The galaxy that writer-director George Lucas built has expanded to include nine epic films, several big-screen spin-offs, a plethora of TV programs, and more, with new ones being added regularly, over 50 years after the first movie’s debut.
The characters are the main reason why Lucas’s film and its numerous sequels succeed, even though the word “Star Wars” may evoke visions of magnificent starscapes, quickly travelling spacecraft, and detonating battle stations.
20 Best Star Wars Characters
Here is a completely arbitrary ranking of the top 20 Star Wars characters, arranged from the first to the last film, in terms of brilliance.
Boba Fett
Boba Fett, the ultimate bounty hunter and ruthless outlaw, roamed the Galactic wastes, taking on dangerous jobs for big rewards.
His reputation as a hardened, silent figure with dented armour and a cool attitude made him a fan favourite, especially since he was one of the few who dared to talk back to Darth Vader. He is 20th on our Star Wars characters list.
But after nearly being swallowed by the monstrous Sarlacc, Fett’s life took a turn, and he went (mostly) straight. Fans loved his mysterious, tough-guy persona in the original Star Wars trilogy, but the Disney+ series ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ disappointed many. It softened his image, turning the cold-hearted mercenary into a misunderstood hero.
Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo
The leader of the Resistance after the disastrous retreat from D’Qar, she’s an old comrade of General Leia Organa.
With her purple hair and played by the amazing Laura Dern, she perfectly balances warmth, sharpness, and confidence.
She quickly sees through Poe Dameron’s reckless behaviour and ultimately sacrifices her life to save her friends.
Grogu
Baby Yoda, the pint-sized Force-wielder, quickly won the hearts of fans and toy sellers alike. The whole world fell in love with this tiny green creature, and it’s easy to see why.
While Star Wars has had its share of cute characters—like porgs, ewoks, and even young Anakin—none of them compare to this adorable bundle of joy.
Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren, the son of Han Solo and Princess Leia, turned to the Dark Side during his Jedi training. Since then, he’s been an angry, rebellious figure—essentially a troubled teen with the power of 1,000 armoured legions and a planet-destroying death laser at his command.
The scenes between Kylo and Rey are the most intense and believable in the sequel trilogy, from their first meeting in the torture chamber to their final, heartbreaking goodbye.
Darth Maul
Darth Maul was the most exciting new character in ‘The Phantom Menace’, thanks to his striking face paint, glowing yellow eyes, and his unique double-bladed lightsaber.
While his look was undeniably cool, it was more than just appearances.
Martial artist Ray Park brought him to life with smooth, menacing moves, and Peter Serafinowicz’s chilling voice work added to his eerie presence.
Many fans believe the prequels would have been even better if Darth Maul had stuck around a bit longer.
Din Djarin
Then there’s ‘The Mandalorian’—or “Mando” as his close friends (which likely doesn’t include you) call him. He is at 15th in our Star Wars characters list.
He’s the tough, quiet hero of Disney+’s hit ‘Star Wars’ series and Grogu’s protective companion, making them the universe’s most beloved duo.
At first, Mando seemed like a straight-up Clint Eastwood-type gunslinger, but throughout three seasons, he’s evolved into a father figure for Grogu and the one who saves his people from exile. Plus, he’s effortlessly cool the whole way through.
C-3PO
C-3PO, a shining golden droid, is either loved or seen as an annoying nuisance, depending on who you ask. Fluent in over 6 million languages, he never misses an opportunity to mention it. If his appearances had been limited to the original Star Wars trilogy, he’d rank higher on this list.
In those films, he’s genuinely funny, whether he’s scolding R2-D2, interrupting Han Solo at the worst times, or awkwardly befriending Jabba the Hutt.
But in the prequels, he became more of a punchline machine, throwing out inappropriate one-liners during intense moments (‘This is such a drag!’).
In the sequels, he barely had anything to do. And seriously, how did a kid on a desert planet manage to build a droid that knows 6 million languages?
Rey
Rey, a classic Star Wars character, is an orphan with a mysterious past, longing to escape her dull life on a distant planet.
She feels like the hero of an old British adventure novel—brave, proud, a bit posh, with a quick wit and nerves of steel.
Her interactions with John Boyega’s Finn are hilarious, and her complicated, tragic relationship with Kylo Ren tugs at the heart.
Just try to forget the confusing mess about her parentage.
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Lando Calrissian
Lando Calrissian, the ultimate charmer and a former ramblin’ and gamblin’ man, leaves behind his crooked card-sharping ways to take up a respectable role as a mining administrator.
Eventually, he becomes a hero for the Rebel Alliance. While Lando was introduced after complaints about the lack of Black characters in ‘Star Wars’, it’s hard to ignore the accusations of tokenism.
His initial portrayal as a treacherous, womanizing sleazebag didn’t help. However, when you look closer, Lando’s charm and his unique moral complexity make him one of the most intriguing characters in the series.
Jyn Erso
Jyn Erso, the daughter of the man responsible for the Death Star, is a tough, street-smart rebel.
When the Rebel Alliance recruits her to track down her father and steal the Death Star plans, she signs up, knowing the mission could cost her life.
Jyn stands out as the first ‘Star Wars’ heroine for whom gender doesn’t matter. There’s no romantic subplot, no gold bikini, and no “bossy” jokes.
She’s just a no-nonsense, fierce fighter who won’t let her issues stop her from completing the mission.
Finn
Finn, a stormtrooper without roots or a name, moonlights as a plumbing technician. He faces a crisis of conscience during a mission on Jakku, where he rescues Resistance pilot Poe Dameron and sets off to find his purpose in the galaxy. Finn is on the 10th in our Star Wars characters list.
Finn serves as our wide-eyed guide through the visually stunning sequel trilogy, always trying to seem cool while constantly panicking inside.
Played by John Boyega, who broke through with a mix of charm and toughness, Finn perfectly embodies a child soldier who escapes his chains and goes rogue. Sadly, like his friend Rose Tico, Finn’s minimal role in the last movie wasn’t just lazy – it was insulting.
Luke Skywalker
Then there’s Luke Skywalker, the ultimate hero. He’s the hardworking, respectful farm boy from Tatooine, whose journey anchors the original Star Wars trilogy. Sure, his return in ‘The Last Jedi’ felt more sombre, but he still found the strength to confront evil one final time.
Luke remains the perfect family-friendly hero: kind to animals and droids, skilled in combat, piloting, swinging across chasms and always choosing the right path. Mark Hamill’s performance adds intelligence, heart, and wit to Luke, keeping him heroic without ever turning him into a boring goody-goody.
R2-D2
A cheeky, level-headed dustbin on legs, complete with an Inspector Gadget-like array of handy nozzles and tools, he’s like Henry the Hoover meets a Swiss army knife but with personality. He’s the real hero of the Star Wars movies, always saving the day when things get tough. R2-D2 is on number 8 in our Star Wars characters list.
Whether juggling turbolifts on an enemy ship, fixing Luke’s X-Wing stabilizers during the Death Star attack, repairing the Millennium Falcon’s hyperdrive, or cutting his way out of an Ewok trap, Artoo does all the hard work.
And yet, he gets almost no credit. Without him, the Empire would’ve won, and Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie would’ve been nothing more than splattered bits inside a trash compactor.
Emperor Palpatine
Palpatine is the evil mastermind behind the Empire’s rise.
At first, he seems like a trustworthy senator, but he hides a dark secret—he’s a Sith Lord, the master of evil. Later, he transforms into a sinister, cackling wizard, as wicked as they come. He’s one of the few characters who gets more interesting in the prequel trilogy.
Palpatine’s journey from friendly politician to power-hungry villain, then to lightning-hurling madman and finally a galactic dictator, is a wild ride. Ian McDiarmid plays the role with manic glee, squeezing every drop of villainy out of each phase of Palpatine’s descent.
By the time we reach Return of the Jedi, he’s become something truly unsettling: a twisted, hate-filled figure who stands as one of the most memorable villains in the series—except for maybe one. (And we don’t talk about his return in The Rise of Skywalker).
Yoda
Yoda is a small, mystical creature who talks in reverse, but his knowledge of the Force is unmatched. In the original trilogy, he’s a marvel of design—tactile, lovable, and full of wisdom.
His CGI version in ‘The Phantom Menace’ feels like a creepy rubber troll at first, though it improves over the next two films.
At 800 years old, Yoda remains a master of telekinesis and philosophy, wielding a lightsaber with incredible skill and delivering sharp humour.
He also has an odd love for pocket torches. Everything about Yoda is iconic: his quirky speech, raspy voice (thanks to Frank Oz, which explains why he sounds a bit like Miss Piggy), and the superb puppet work that brings him to life.
Even his wild, acrobatic lightsaber battles are amazing to watch.
Chewbacca
Chewbacca, or Chewie, number 5th in our Star Wars characters list, stands seven feet tall, covered in fur, and equipped with a stylish bandolier.
He communicates through growls, barks, and rumbles that are tough to imitate. Co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon, Chewie earns deep devotion despite not speaking English.
He’s the ideal partner: tall, strong, and fashionable, with a playful sense of humour. He’s a loyal friend, a skilled marksman with his crossbow, and great at fixing spaceships. Plus, he likely gives the best hugs in the galaxy.
His heart-to-heart talks might be tough to understand, but that’s part of his charm. Chewie shows us that words aren’t always needed to express love and loyalty.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is the backbone of the ‘Star Wars’ saga. He evolves from a young Jedi hero to a desert-wandering guardian to a wise, shimmering blue apparition. Whether he’s supporting the troubled Skywalker family or making bold choices, Obi-Wan always stands out.
He’s ruthless with a lightsaber, rocks his beige wardrobe with style, and wears his trimmed beard with confidence. For twenty years, he watched over Luke in the desert without a single complaint.
He even hid Luke in the one place his father would likely search first, without changing the kid’s last name. And of course, Obi-Wan is brought to life by two outstanding actors, including the legendary Sir Alec Guinness.
Princess Leia Organa
Princess Leia is the face of the Rebel Alliance. She’s a fierce, no-nonsense, blaster-wielding, quick-witted icon, sporting her signature Danish-pastry hairstyle. Initially, she might seem like the token female, but Leia proves to be the most complex and developed character in the original trilogy—especially in the first two movies. Princess stands 3rd in our Star Wars characters list.
As a leader in a rebel cause, she carries more responsibility than her two “flyboy” companions. In a male-dominated universe, Leia holds her own, standing up to both Tarkin and Vader without flinching.
We later discover she spent time with Obi-Wan as a child, although she never brings it up later.
Han Solo
Han Solo, the fearless captain of the Millennium Falcon and the cockiest pilot in the galaxy, is every boy’s hero. That’s why he is nearly at the top of our Star Wars characters list.
He zips from one-star system to another with his loyal, furry sidekick, getting into trouble, firing shots, and somehow managing acts of unexpected heroism. He’s sarcastic, brash, and a bit rude to women—who, inevitably, fall for him.
And why wouldn’t they? His hair is perfect, his mix of Bogart, cowboy, and hipster fashion is legendary, his quips are unmatched, and that famous lop-sided grin? It’s shattered hearts across a thousand worlds. But there’s more to Han Solo.
In ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, Lawrence Kasdan’s sharp dialogue blends with Harrison Ford’s effortless charm, lifting Han from the screen to become one of cinema’s most beloved heroes.
Darth Vader
Then there’s Darth Vader, number 1 in our Star Wars characters list, the single most iconic villain to ever grace the big screen.
His terrifying presence, chilling voice, and sinister words drip with malice. But it’s his actions that burn him into our nightmares: snapping necks, cutting off his own son’s hand, and destroying anyone who dares stand in his way.
Movies may have their share of cocky space pilots, laser-blasting princesses, and heroic blondes, but there’s only one Darth Vader.
His backstory? A bit tricky. Watching young Anakin stumble can be tough, though his fall to the dark side feels real, especially in his fiery duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi.
But nothing compares to Darth’s most memorable moments: slicing through Rebel soldiers with cold efficiency, mastering the controls of his TIE fighter, choking his commanders one by one, revealing Luke’s true parentage, turning against his dark master, and finally, tragically, lying on a pyre as smoke swirls around his broken body.
Darth Vader is flawless—a villain beyond improvement. And for that, we salute him.