Star Wars is a sprawling franchise full of so many characters that even die-hard fans can forget about some of them. However, in the interest of science (or something) we’re going to break down the 20 coolest characters from across the entire vast Star Wars galaxy, in ascending order of awesomeness.
20. Sabine Wren
She’s a Mandalorian, she’s a Jedi in training, and she’s one of the coolest women in Star Wars. Sabine Wren’s long, troubled journey to self-discovery forms the backbone of Rebels and even the sequel series Ahsoka, and she remains a captivating figure.
19. Hera Syndulla
Hera is the heart and soul of the Ghost’s crew and the glue that kept her found family together through thick and thin. She’s also one of the Rebellion’s foremost leaders and at least partially responsible for keeping the alliance together so that Luke and his friends could deal the Empire a final blow in Return of the Jedi.
18. BB-8
This little roller droid that could, BB-8 is the personal astromech of hotshot flyboy Poe Dameron. BB-8 has adventured with the likes of Finn and Rey plenty, too, though he’s just as often riding in Poe’s customized X-Wing, Black One.
17. Chopper
The mischievous, crazed little droid known as Chopper is the pride and joy of Hera Syndulla and the Ghost crew’s mascot. His quick-thinking and stealthy sabotage led to near-constant Imperial defeats during the Age of Rebellion. He’s also well-known for his love of salvage (and thievery).
16. Chewbacca
The huge Wookiee wingman known as Chewbacca might not speak English, but he always makes himself heard with a hearty roar. As Han Solo’s best friend and one of the foremost heroes of the Rebellion, Chewie is an impossible figure to forget.
15. Lando Calrissian
The smooth-talking smuggler, Lando Calrissian, is a gambler who always pushes his luck. He famously owned the Millennium Falcon before Han, but lost it to the charming rogue during a game of chance. Lando would go on to become one of the Rebellion’s most trusted generals, though he initially sold Han and his friends out to the Empire.
14. Poe Dameron
The unflappable Poe Dameron is one of the best pilots in the history of the Galaxy. During his career with the Resistance, he’s nearly single-handedly taking down First Order flagships with a combination of his quick wits, extreme confidence, and BB-8’s expert navigational skills.
13. Leia Organa
Leia Organa is more than just a princess. She’s a Rebel leader, a general of incomparable skill, and a Force user who trained under her brother, Luke. Whether she was leading the Rebellion as the Princess of Alderaan or spearheading the Resistance as Senator Organa, Leia always fought for the cause of justice.
12. Threepio
The gold-plated protocol droid named C-3PO is the only speaking character to appear in all nine of the mainline movies. Of course, Threepio himself doesn’t quite remember it all, as he had his knowledge of the Clone Wars erased by none other than Bail Organa before he went into service for him.
11. Boba Fett
The Mandalorian bounty hunter, Boba Fett, fell into the Sarlacc pit early in the first act of Return of the Jedi. However, his miraculous recovery from this fate of certain doom forms the backbone of the show The Book of Boba Fett, making it well worth the watch for fans of his.
10. Finn
The former stormtrooper Finn shows audiences that anyone can rise to greatness, even if they’ve been stomped under the heel of an oppressive regime. Finn’s unmatched bravery in the face of impossible odds makes him an inspiration to his fellow soldiers.
9. Din Djarin
The other Mandalorian bounty hunter on this list is none other than Din Djarin, the Mandalorian himself. After taking a bounty job to bring in Grogu, an adorable baby member of Yoda’s species, Din starts to soften his hard exterior in order to better raise the yousgster.
8. Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Old Master, Ben Kenobi, is one of the most iconic Star Wars characters. His turn in the Clone Wars era was also amazing, with the prequel films often focusing on his days as a young Jedi General serving in the Clone Wars.
7. Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
While some people consider Anakin and Vader two distinct characters, they’re two sides of the same damaged coin. While Anakin was cheerful and upbeat as a child, a harsh life and numerous personal tragedies warped him into the flawed, broken man we see in the original triology.
6. Kylo Ren/Ben Solo
Kylo Ren, also known as Ben Solo, wanted nothing more than to be just like his grandfather—Darth Vader. Eventually, Ben followed the same path as his grandfather, setting aside the darkness and teaming up with his former rival, Rey, to defeat their common enemy, Palpatine.
5. Rey Skywalker
Rey, the scavenger from Jakku, learned how to fight in the harsh dessert. She also had a naturally incredible connection to the Force, owing to her status as part of a Force Dyad with Kylo Ren, her hated rival. When the two reconciled their differences and faced down against Palpatine, it was a power even the ultimate bag guy couldn’t stop.
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4. Han Solo
Whether or not you think Han shot first, the odds are good that he’s more likely to be the one menacing than being menaced. This mean-spirited, all-in personality can leave something to be desired for his clients, but it also made Han a household name in the 70s and 80s.
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3. Kanan Jarrus
The hidden Jedi Kanan Jarrus was abandoned by the Jedi Order through no fault of the Order’s, as Kanan was only a small child when Order 66 came along. He found a new family through the Ghost crew, though, taking a young Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger under his wing and teaching them all he knew about the Force.
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2. Ahsoka Tano
The fan favorite character Ahsoka Tano has battled through some of the meanest opponents in Star Wars, from tangling with Darth Maul in The Clone Wars to a battle of wits against the unmistakable Admiral Thrawn. She’s one of the most successful characters from the Clone Wars series, quickly becoming a beloved part of the franchise.
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1. Luke Skywalker
Who else could be on top? Luke went from a naïve young farmboy to a Jedi Knight, throughout the harsh battles with the Empire and his numerous personal trials. Seeing Luke become a Knight and eventually a Master is one of fans’ favorite parts of the Star Wars franchise.
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