The Best Star Wars Movie Scenes

Just over a year ago, in December 2019, the Skywalker Saga – the main element of the Star Wars franchise up until then – came to an epic end with The Rise of Skywalker. Presented here, in no particular order, are some of the best scenes from the 9 Skywalker movies – plus the 2 Anthology movies, Rogue One and Solo.

WARNING: SPOILERS!

“No, I am your father” (The Empire Strikes Back)

The “No, I am your father" Scene in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes  Back (1980) - YouTube

One of the best scenes in all of cinema. Both shocking and chilling. It’s not surprising that it regularly ranks as the most popular Star Wars moment – even if it’s also the most misquoted (it’s “No, I am your father”, not “Luke, I am your father”).

Duel of the Fates (The Phantom Menace)

Darth Maul’s duel with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan is the highlight of Episode I, and one of the best lightsaber duels in the series. Epic action, epic music, epic choreography – this scene has it all!

“I am all the Sith” / “And I… I’m all the Jedi” (The Rise of Skywalker)

The climatic moment of Episode IX – the final fight between Rey and Palpatine – is utterly epic. Sure, it’s probably inspired by the equivalent scene in Avengers: Endgame, but it’s still an awesome moment.

“Han… Solo” (Solo)

The moment our favourite smuggler gets his name.

“I’m a Jedi, like my father before me” (Return of the Jedi)

I am a Jedi... Like my father before me. - Album on Imgur

The moment Luke rejects the Dark Side – just in time – never gets old.

Padme dies as Vader rises (Revenge of the Sith)

Dark, chilling and ominous.

Luke blows up the Death Star (A New Hope)

Star Wars: Saving the Death Star With CRM | by W-Systems | Medium

The climatic moment of the original movie – also when Luke begins to show his potential as a Jedi.

The destruction of Alderaan (A New Hope)

Image result for alderaan destruction gif

Watching the movie as a kid for the first time, this scene really shook me up; it was terrifying. It’s also one of the more memorable moments of the franchise.

The destruction of Jedha (Rogue One)

Chronologically the first use of the Death Star – at partial capacity. Unfortunately I can’t find a video showing the entire scene.

Luke confronts Kylo (and dies) (The Last Jedi)

Kylo Ren | StarWars.com

A truly awe-inspiring and emotional scene.

Ben kills Han (The Force Awakens)

Han Solo | Death | Star Wars Amino

A shocking and emotional moment.

The hallway scene/”Hope” (Rogue One)

Vader Rogue One GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY

Really, does Vader get any better than this? And the ending appearance of Princess Leia and tie-in to A New Hope is pretty damn cool as well.

Yoda/Count Dooku duel (Attack of the Clones)

Yoda vs Dooku - YouTube

Watching Yoda hobble in with a cane and then leap around like a ninja – in a fight with CHRISTOPHER LEE, no less! – was quite exhilarating.

Luke force chokes Jabba’s guards (Return of the Jedi)

Did Luke use the force choke in his entrance in ROTJ? | Star Wars Amino

A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, subtly foreshadowing Luke’s struggle with the temptation of the Dark Side later on in the film (and in the flashback scenes of The Last Jedi).

Unfortunately I can’t find a clip of it, so the above GIF will have to suffice.

Luke and Vader’s first fight (The Empire Strikes Back)

In the Empire Strikes Back (1980), during the battle on Bespin, Vader goes  on and on about Luke's training with Obi-Wan. This is because he's unaware  that Yoda is still alive, and

Probably the most anticipated scene of the original trilogy!

Luke’s first Force pull (The Empire Strikes Back)

Star Wars: Episode V - "The Empire Strikes Back" Wampa Cave (Fan Edit) -  YouTube

Luke’s second use of the force in the franchise (3rd, if you count his training scene with Obi-Wan in A New Hope).

Obi-Wan fights Vader (and dies) (A New Hope)

The very original lightsaber duel! Admittedly not much compared to the duels of later movies, but still, this is the one that started it all.

Luke’s lightsaber comes to Rey (The Force Awakens)

theforcesource: Miss 'Steal your Lightsaber' Rey on Make a GIF

Such an awesome scene! Made me want to know more about (and see more of) Rey.

Palpatine creates the Empire (Revenge of the Sith)

A chilling scene, and a relevant warning – especially accompanied by Padme’s statement “This is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause”.

Anakin/Obi-Wan duel (Revenge of the Sith)

Related image

THE ultimate lightsaber duel! (Alongside Palpatine/Yoda)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DfP8APGmWxGs&ved=2ahUKEwi415SgiOjuAhXijeYKHQByAoUQ28sGMAF6BAgBEBc&usg=AOvVaw0S5a59uwUrF4SDHbJReZRM

Palpatine/Yoda duel (Revenge of the Sith)

Image result for revenge of the sith gif yoda palpatine

So epic!

Vader’s redemption (Return of the Jedi)

The Star Wars Deep Dive: The Evolution of Darth Vader | StarWars.com

A beautiful scene!

Ben becomes Kylo (The Last Jedi)

The Last Jedi - The Genius of the Flashbacks and How It Compliments the  Saga : StarWarsCantina

Sobering, thought-provoking, and an important part of Luke’s great character arc in the movie.

The cave (The Last Jedi)

Rian Johnson Explains the Black Cave in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'

An important part of Rey’s character development. Unfortunately, I can only find part of the scene.

The Battle of Geonosis (Attack of the Clones)

The first conflict of the Clone Wars, and quite an epic one at that.

Yoda trains Luke (The Empire Strikes Back)

Dagobah Luke Added to New Star Wars Black Series Line from Hasbro | Star  Wars Time

Han meets Chewbacca (Solo)

One of my favourite scenes in the movie.

Maul’s alive! (Solo)

Those of us familiar with The Clone Wars and Rebels already knew this, but it’s still awesome that it’s now part of the movies!

“Execute Order 66” (Revenge of the Sith)

A dark and emotional scene.

“There are more of us, Poe” (The Rise of Skywalker)

A beautiful moment.

The Holdo Maneuver (The Last Jedi)

Possibly the most stunning sequence in all of Star Wars.

Padme introduces a motion of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum (The Phantom Menace)

She accidentally directly paved the way for Senator Palpatine’s rise to power.

Jyn’s death and Scarif’s destruction (Rogue One)

This really is superb filmmaking.

Krennic meets Vader (Rogue One)

Any Vader scene is awesome.

Dark Rey (The Rise of Skywalker)

Both exciting and chilling.

Anakin turns to the Dark Side (Revenge of the Sith)

The moment we were all waiting for!

“Rey Skywalker” (The Rise of Skywalker)

A beautiful and fitting ending to the movie and the saga.

Kylo Ren arrives on Exegol (The Rise of Skywalker)

Fantastic opening to the finale.

Force-sensitive boy (The Last Jedi)

A lovely shot complementing the movie’s themes.

Rey enters Kylo’s mind (The Force Awakens)

Kylo Ren Interrogates Rey - Entire Scene - YouTube

Another great set up for Rey.

Kylo kills Snoke (The Last Jedi)

The Last Jedi Snoke Death Scene | Kylo Ren and Rey vs Praetorian Guard HD  on Make a GIF

No commentary needed.

The Death Star’s first appearance in (Rogue One)

Image result for rogue one death star gif

Chronologically speaking, this is the completed Death Star’s first appearance – and is has a great entrance!

“I love you”/”I know” (The Empire Strikes Back)

Why did Han Solo not say 'I love you' back to Princess Leia in 'The Empire  Strikes Back'? He famously responds with 'I know.' Why? - Quora

The first time Leia receiprocates Han’s feelings.

“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi” (A New Hope)

Princess Leia's hologram message. - YouTube

The message that launched Luke and Obi-Wan into the Rebellion.

“Nothing will stop the return of the Sith!” (The Rise of Skywalker)

The Jedi speak to Rey (The Rise of Skywalker)

The Rise of Skywalker' - Voices of the Jedi (Spoilers) - Star Wars News Net

A beautiful, nostalgic scene.

The Kessel Run (Solo)

Solo: A Star Wars Story' Solves The Kessel Run Problem

Is any commentary needed?

Han appears to Ben (The Rise of Skywalker)

This scene really made me sit up in the cinema seat!

The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise (Revenge of the Sith)

I’m a prequel memer.

“Hello there” (Revenge of the Sith)

As I said, prequel memer. Plus it’s a great fight.

Rey finds Luke (The Force Awakens)

Such an incredible moment that set up so many expectations!

The scene that started it all (A New Hope)

The very beginning of the franchise.

Yoda (seemingly) destroys the Jedi texts (The Last Jedi)

Yes, it’s later shown that they survived, but this is still a powerful and symbolic scene.

What are your favourite scenes?

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