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One thing fans think of when discussing Star Wars are the lightsaber duels. There are plenty of examples of these exciting sequences on the big and small screen. Some of the best happened on television, including Ahsoka vs Darth Maul in The Clone Wars and Obi-Wan’s rematch against Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Today, in time for the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi, we will be ranking the fights seen on the big screen during the Skywalker Saga.
13. Ben Kenobi Vs. Darth Vader (A New Hope)
The first Star Wars lightsaber duel is certainly memorable, but by today’s standards is somewhat dull. After nearly nine years, Obi-Wan and his former apprentice once again meet face to face. Ben decides to face his fallen friend in order to give Luke and company a chance to escape the Death Star. The two exchanged heated words before engaging in a slow duel. Ben ends things by sacrificing himself to give Luke a chance to escape. Being the first fight, it is far from the spectacle fans have come to love. That being said, it is still a historic fight that was instrumental in the development of Luke.
12. Kylo Ren Vs. Rey (The Rise of Skywalker)
The Star Wars saga came to an end in The Rise of Skywalker. Fans expected an explosive final duel between Kylo Ren and Rey, but this isn’t what happened. The two do meet on the remains of the second Death Star, and they even clash blades. The fight is exciting, well-choreographed, and visually stunning, but it doesn’t last very long. This final fight between the two doesn’t happen during the climax, so the fight had to be cut short to make room for the third act. Had the duel had a chance to breathe, it could have been higher on the list.
11. Yoda Vs. Count Dooku (Attack of the Clones)
Yoda didn’t get the chance to showcase his saber skills until Attack of the Clones. After nearly killing Anakin and Obi-Wan, Count Dooku is confronted by Yoda. The two have a brief force showcase before entering into a saber duel. As with most things, Yoda’s height doesn’t affect his fighting abilities. In fact, it gives him an edge. Yoda is able to leap into the air and fiercely attack Dooku quickly. Dooku wisely realizes he is fighting a losing battle, so he distracts Yoda long enough to make a getaway. The fight may be short, but it is one of the most memorable.
10. Kylo Ren Vs. Rey/Finn (The Force Awakens)
The climactic duel in The Force Awakens was an exciting one that showed audiences what the new Star Wars characters are capable of. After killing his father, Rey and Finn track down Kylo Ren to avenge him. First up to bat is Finn, who actually holds his own against Ren. After being incapacitated, Rey steps up, showing how powerful she is in the force. The fight is emotional and intense. It isn’t as well choreographed as those from the prequels, but that is because two of the three combatants have barely held a lightsaber, let alone had combat training. The fight was a fitting end to the film, and to many, it is the best fight in the sequel trilogy.
9. Obi-Wan Vs. General Grievous (Revenge of the Sith)
The fight scene between Obi-Wan and General Grievous is one of the most exciting in the series. The actual lightsaber fight doesn’t last that long, however. Grevious has four lightsabers, one for each arm, meaning Obi-Wan has his work cut out for him. The seasoned Jedi master is able to dispose of the cyborg’s extra arms leading to a thrilling chase scene. Like the previous entry, the only thing truly holding this fight back is the amount of time given to the actual saber fight.
8. Anakin/Obi-Wan Vs. Count Dooku (Attack of the Clones)
The first time Anakin and Obi-Wan face Count Dooku is in Attack of the Clones. The duo tracks down Dooku and corners him, leading the trio to fight. Being as impulsive as ever, Anakin runs into the fight head-first, causing him to be wounded early. Obi-Wan then faces Dooku himself. Anakan and Obi-Wan each take on Dooku one at a time, giving Dooku the upper hand. He wounds both Jedi and is only stopped by finishing them off by Yoda. This was one of the first battles Anakan had been part of, and it was essential in teaching the young Jedi patience.
7. Anakin/Obi-Wan Vs. Count Dooku (Revenge of the Sith)
Most of the movies in the Star Wars series have one lightsaber duel. This isn’t the case with Revenge of the Sith, which carries an impressive five fights. The first fight shows Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan face Count Dooku while trying to save Chancellor Palpatine. The duo attack Dooku together, but it eventually comes down to Anakin and Dooku one-on-one. Throughout the fight, Anakan desperately tries to keep his rage hidden. Palpatine senses his anger and eggs Anakin to kill Dooku even after he is unarmed. This foreshadows the grip Palpatine will have on Anakan when he turns to the dark side.
6. Mace Windu Vs. Palpatine (Revenge of the Sith)
Palpatine didn’t get many chances to show his fighting abilities in the Star Wars movies. When he did, he proved he was more than capable of holding his own. When Mace Windu gets word that Palpatine is the Sith Lord responsible for the Clone Wars, he wastes no time. He brings a group of Jedi Masters consisting of Agen Kolar, Saesee Tinn, and Kit Fisto. All three of these Jedi are killed within seconds. Windu manages to hold his own against Palpatine and nearly manages to kill him. The only thing that stopped him from winning the lightsaber duel was Anakin’s last-minute interference, saving Palpatine and completing his Dark Side transformation.
5. Yoda Vs. Palpatine (Revenge of the Sith)
Mace Windu wasn’t the only Jedi to give Palpatine a run for his money in Revenge of the Sith. While Obi-Wan pursued Darth Vader, Yoda confronted Palpatine. The two engage in a ferocious lightsaber duel. Both are very powerful in the force and are skilled with the blade. The fight is exciting and intense, using several different set pieces for the fight. The two end up in the senate audience chamber, where Palpatine narrowly gets the upper hand. The fight is several decades in the making, and many fans found it worth it.
4. Luke Skywalker Vs. Darth Vader (The Empire Strikes Back)
The second film in the franchise sees Luke Skywalker face Darth Vader for the first time. The young Jedi wants revenge for the death of his master, and he wastes no time attempting to get it. This is the second fight in the entire series, and it is already a huge step up from the last one. Vader toys with Skywalker, wanting to see what he is capable of. Luke gets one good hit in, leading Vader to lose his head and slice off Luke’s hand. The exciting fight leads the two into several areas and ends with one of the most iconic reveals in all of cinema.
3. Luke Skywalker Vs. Darth Vader (Return of the Jedi)
Luke’s second confrontation with Vader is even more important than the last. Luke learns that Darth Vader is his father, and he desperately tries to turn his father back to the light. What makes this fight one of the best in all of Star Wars is what it symbolizes. Not only is it a fight to save the Rebels, but it is also a fight for the very soul of Anakin Skywalker. Luke is far more skilled than last time, yet Vader still toys with him. Throughout the entire fight, Vader is in conflict with himself. The dark and the light both pulling at him. The light finally wins when he sacrifices himself to save his son.
2. Qui-Gon Jinn/Obi-Wan Vs. Darth Maul (The Phantom Menace)
One of the most iconic lightsaber duels in Star Wars comes at the end of The Phantom Menace. Qui-Gon briefly faced Maul earlier in the movie, but that was more of a skirmish than a full-on duel. Brandishing a double-bladed saber, Maul is more than a match for Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. The fight is accompanied by one of the most iconic pieces of music ever put to film, ensuring the thrills do not stop until the end of the battle. The two Jedi are able to hold their own until they are separated. Maul kills Qui-Gon, leading a vengeful Obi-Wan to take him on alone. Obi-Wan nearly dies himself, but he uses Darth Maul’s arrogance against him, taking him out with his master’s blade.
1. Obi-Wan Kenobi Vs. Anakin Skywalker (Revenge of the Sith)
This is the fight fans longed for ever since the prequels were announced. After turning to the dark side, Anakin Skywalker leads a purge on the Jedi temple, slaughtering those who once saw him as an ally. When his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, discovers where he is, he confronts his fallen friend. The two engage in a fierce battle with some of the best fight choreography in the entire series. Mustafar, a lava planet, is the backdrop for the legendary fight. The two are both skilled, but Anakin’s arrogance is his ultimate downfall. Obi-Wan slices off Anakin’s limbs and leaves him to burn at the edge of the lava. This fight left Anakin reliant on a suit of armor to live, completing his transformation into Darth Vader.