Star Wars: Top 5 Original Trilogy Characters

As you all well know, I'm a Star Wars Nerd. I originally wanted to start this series of rankings with the Prequel trilogy, but that list consists of characters from the Clone Wars series. I didn't want to compose that ranking without letting that series finish first, which will likely come after I post my sequel list. This ranking will not include characters from Rebels since I have only seen the first season. After I finish that series, I will eventually make an updated list of original trilogy characters. Be on the look for that!

Let me start by saying there will be some absent characters in these rankings you may expect to see. For this list, Boba Fett will not be present. Please don't hate me! He's cool. But he only has a couple of lines and provides minimal impact on the overall story. Like Captain Phasma, he was very mishandled. Little Old Ben doesn't quite crack the top 5 either.

5. Princess Leia

Can we appreciate the fact that Leia can finally be recognized as a Disney princess now? Thank you, Disney. With her spunky attitude, flirtatious insults towards Han, and natural leadership ability, Leia becomes an instantly loveable character. She becomes an inspiring character after witnessing how she handles the destruction of her homeworld. She is forced to watch the power of the Death Star obliterate her planet, and she responds in a way any leader would. She is driven by this act and becomes a valuable player in the downfall of the Empire.

4. Lando Calrissian

Lando isn't introduced until the latter half of The Empire Strikes Back, but this doesn't take away from his ability to create an impact on the story. He is put into a tough situation, being forced to double-cross Han & team and turn them over to the Empire. He quickly realizes the fault in this and does what he can to make it right. Like Han, Lando's story arc is a perfect example of learning from our mistakes, not letting them define who we are, and taking action after those mistakes.

3. Luke Skywalker

The OG hero in the series. The Jedi who was everyone's hero growing up. Luke is a legendary character in cinema, which shows us that we all have a higher purpose than just being stuck in our little moisture farms. Luke's arc in the original trilogy is very satisfying. He came close to joining the dark side but ultimately prevailed where his father failed. He was willing to sacrifice himself rather than giving in and being a powerful weapon that the Sith could use for their own sinister purposes. Many lessons can be taken from Luke's journey.

2. Han Solo

How can you not like this "scruffy-looking nerf-herder"? Han is full of charisma and begins this story as someone who only looks out for himself. He ultimately becomes a general in the Rebellion and plays a pivotal role in defeating the evil Empire while winning our hearts every step of the way. He is by far the most charismatic character in the entire series, and you can't help but root for him.

1. Darth Vader

If you don't have Darth Vader in your top 3 villains of all time, then something is wrong with you. Before the prequel trilogy was released, we knew that he was once a Jedi, which means he was once a good guy. We couldn't help but wonder what led him down this path. Did he always have a sinister heart? Was he manipulated? We finally got those answers in the prequels. His story is such a tragedy, and it makes him much more relatable. His redemption is so satisfying that I still get chills when he's talking to Luke as he dies. I will discuss more of Anakin's arc in my prequel ranking, but Darth Vader reigns supreme as my favorite character in the original trilogy.