Summary
TheStar Warsfranchise boasts a huge amount of lore since the first movieA New Hopedebuted in 1977. Since then, fans have been treated to many different eras across the timeline, from video-games exploring the Old Republic, to Disney’s sequel trilogy exploring the battle against the First Order. As such, countless characters have become beloved and instantly recognizable even to people who aren’t necessarily fans of the franchise.
The popularity of Star Wars extends to multiple generations and, with the movies released over a vast amount of time, it’s apparent that different plots and characters typically appeal to different age groups. However, theseiconic Star Wars charactersare united by the fact that they’ve become symbols of the franchise as a whole,appear on countless merchandiseand thus are staples of popular culture.
1Darth Vader
Central To The Entire Saga
Darth Vader is essentially at the heart of theStar Warssaga. From his iconic theme music to his appearance, he has many traits that make him one of the most iconic characters in cinema to date. The prequel moviesshed light on his past as Anakin Skywalker, who was a powerful yet deeply conflicted Jedi, and was also the ‘Chosen one’ who would bring balance to the Force. The films also detailed how he came to fall to the dark side.
But the events of the original trilogy, especiallyReturn of the Jedi, showed how exactly he did bring balance, by redeeming himself and destroying the Sith. Darth Vader’s story, especially before the Disney era, was what Star Wars was really all about.
2Luke Skywalker
Farm Boy To Fearless Hero
The main protagonist of the original trilogy, Luke is the humble farm boy who always dreamed of greatness. Upon meeting Obi-Wan Kenobi, and after the sudden loss of his family, Luke embarked on a life-changing mission which eventually led to him becoming a Jedi.
Luke becameone of the most powerful Jedi masters, resisting the Emperor and the dark side and leading the Rebel Alliance to victory alongside his friends. He also played a vital role in redeeming his father Anakin from the dark side, and later on became a mentor to Rey in the sequel trilogy. Luke is a highly recognizable character not just among Star Wars fans, but in popular culture in general.
3Han Solo
The Iconic Scoundrel
Han Solo is one of the most popularStar Warscharacters, so much so that he warranted his own spin-off movie titledSolo: A Star Wars Story. Whilst the movie is largely divisive among the fan base, Han Solo as a character certainly isn’t. Since his debut inA New Hope, fans have watched this lovable space rogue fight the empire and undergo quite a bit of character growth, as he learns to fight for others and not just live for himself.
Fans love Han Solofor his witty dialogue and rogue attitude and the role he plays in the series. He deserved a much better ending than to have been killed by his own son, Kylo Ren, inThe Force Awakens.
4Princess Leia
Not Your Ordinary Princess
The iconic Princess Leia is far from an archetypal princess character, and as such is one of the strongest characters in the series. With her iconic look and hairstyle, as well as her sheer resistance to the Empire, she quickly became a fan favorite. She’s also known for her quick thinking and the fact that, like her brother Luke, she is Force-sensitive, something explored in more detail in the sequel trilogy.
From being a galactic diplomat in the original trilogy to a general in the sequel trilogy, both characters and fans alike rally around Leia for her leadership abilities and steadfast loyalty to do what’s right, even if it means great danger.
5Chewbacca
Loveable And Loyal Sidekick
The Wookiees are some of the most iconic alien creatures in the franchise, and the very first Chewbacca has always been extremely beloved. Han Solo’s loyal friend Chewbacca has seen many battles and remained by his friend’s side through thick and thin. Chewbacca may seem intimidating to others, and can even be violent when necessary, or in the case when he doesn’t win at Sabacc.
The prequel era expanded on his backstoryin the Clone Wars andRevenge of the Sith, showing him fighting for his people against Trandoshan hunters and later the Separatist forces who invaded his home planet Kashyyyk. Chewbacca thankfully made a comeback alongside his friend in the sequel trilogy, where he was finally, and rather famously, awarded a medal for his efforts in fighting evil.
6R2-D2 and C-3PO
The Hilarious Droid Duo
Instantly iconic among Star Wars’ vast lineup of characters are the two noble droid companions that’ve been together since the beginning of the saga, and have been by the heroes’ sides through many wars. InThe Phantom Menace, fans saw their origins: R2-D2 was a repair droid on Queen Amidala’s shuttle, and C-3PO was built by Anakin Skywalker. Yet by the time ofAttack of the Clones, the two first work together to help Anakin and Padme shut down the Separatist’s Droid Factory on Geonosis.
From then on, these two brave droids would go on to serve many a leader in the tumultuous events of the series. Known for their contrasting personalities and banter, R2-D2 and C-3PO truly stand out as some of science fiction’s most beloved duos, known for being completely inseparable.
7Yoda
So Iconic, He Is
Yoda is instantly an iconic alien character, known for his small stature and especially the way he speaks in reverse compared to everyone else. Once a Grand Master of the Jedi Order, Yoda witnessed many cataclysmic events in his 900 years of life. From fighting his fallen Padawan Dooku to desperately dueling the Sith Lord Palpatine, Yoda witnessed the destruction of the entire Jedi Order and fled to Dagobah to hide. Years later, he meets Luke and, like Obi-Wan, remains a powerful mentor to him even after dying.
Yoda was indeed right when he told Luke not to judge him by his size. In fact, Yoda is one of the wisest and most powerful Jedi ever, and was able to assist the young Jedi on his perilous journey.
8Obi-Wan Kenobi
A Vastly Important Character
One of the most famous Jedi, Obi-Wan served as mentor to both Anakin and Luke Skywalker. Known for his infamous dry humor and many skills with a lightsaber, Obi-Wan was once Padawan to Qui-Gon Jinn, but after his master’s death vowed he’d train Anakin. Alongside him, Obi-Wan went on to serve as a Jedi General in the Clone Wars, then became one of the few to survive Order 66.
After spending years hiding on the planet Tatooine, Obi-Wan kept watch over a young Luke Skywalker and, in the events of his self-titled series, also helped protect Princess Leia. Despite dying at the hands of Darth Vader inA New Hope, Obi-Wan still helped Luke on the path to becoming a Jedi. Steadfast, loyal yet extremely powerful,Obi-Wan is a fan favorite Star Wars character.
9The Mandalorian and Grogu
Disney’s New Mascots
The Mandalorians are immediately an iconic group of characters. They debuted with Boba Fett inThe Empire Strikes Back,who immediately became an intriguing icon. Whilst his story was fleshed out in the prequel and Clone Wars era, another certain Mandalorian has become even more iconic in recent years with the rise of the Disney era: Din Djarin.
This lone Mandalorian bounty hunter is beloved by fans not just becauseThe Mandalorianwas the first live-action Disney Star Wars TV series, but because of his story and character growth. Djarin goes from being a lone, stoic hunter following a strict code, to becoming the adoptive father of a certain green alien of Yoda’s species.
A massive part of Din Djarin’s image is this beloved ‘baby Yoda’, aka Grogu. Grogu is mysterious and beloved just like Mando himself, which makes this pair extremely iconic in this modern era ofStar Wars.
10Darth Maul
A Menacing Villain Who Was Given A New Lease Of Life
When Darth Maul was introduced inThe Phantom Menaceheimmediately became a fascinating characterwith an instantly iconic look. He debuted with his duel lightsaber, which adds to his iconic image, and pursues the Jedi and Queen Amidala in the events of the film. Maul killed Obi-Wan’s master Qui-Gon Jinn, and though he seemingly dies at Obi-Wan’s hands, Maul’s story was greatly expanded in both theClone WarsandRebelsTV series.
These series shed more light on his origin, from how he survived being cut in half by Obi-Wan to realizing the truth that Anakin is still the Chosen One despite his fall to the dark side. As such, Maul’s story quickly made him one of the most fascinating and tragic Star Wars villains.
