Top 10 Saddest Star Wars Deaths

Lightsabers flash. Blasters fire. Someone chokes on the wrong end of a Force grip. But every now and then, Star Wars sets aside the epic space wizard chaos and hits you right in the soul.

This list is about the deaths that made you pause the movie or drop the controller just to process what just happened. The ones that forced you to whisper "no no no no" under your breath like that would somehow undo it. It's not about who had the coolest final duel or the most explosive sendoff. It's about the ones that left your chest hollow, your popcorn forgotten, and your faith in the galaxy's sense of justice slightly broken.

Vote for the deaths that crushed you the hardest. The ones that felt unfair, heroic, senseless, or all of the above.

1. Darth Vader

   

   Darth Vader is a Star Wars character who serves as the main antagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy and as the central figure in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, where he is known by his original name, Anakin Skywalker. Initially trained as a Jedi Knight, Anakin defects to the Sith under the influence... read more

   The fact he actually saved Luke, his son, and then died shortly after completely broke me. It was a moment of psychological torture for me, truly, as I am not allowed to cry due to health problems.

   Darth Vader had the saddest death of any character in movie history for me. He only turned to save his wife, Padmé Amidala. Just like I said in my Padmé comment, once Padmé died, Vader was truly lonely. Obi-Wan would never forgive him. No Jedi would ever forgive him.

   The only reason Vader returned to the Light Side was because of his son, Luke. Once he realized Luke was alive, he wasn't truly lonely in this world.

   -IIBlizzxrd

2. Han Solo

   

   Han Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. In the original film trilogy, he and his co-pilot, Chewbacca, become involved in the Rebel Alliance's fight against the Galactic Empire. Portrayed by Harrison Ford, Han Solo was also the focus of the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story, in which... read more

   I had always known that his death would come. It didn't mean it was any less shocking to see.

   My friend, who saw the movie with me, on the other hand, didn't see it coming, and her jaw dropped after watching her favorite character die on screen.

   I still yell at The Force Awakens. Though we knew it was coming since Harrison Ford didn't want the part anymore.

   This scene was not surprising but hit me hard. I heard people screaming as his body fell into Starkiller Base.

3. Qui-Gon Jinn

   

   Qui-Gon Jinn is a fictional character in the Star Wars saga portrayed by Liam Neeson. He is one of the main protagonists in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Qui-Gon was a Jedi Master and mentor to Obi-Wan Kenobi.

   Dude, two people, him and Darth Maul, were unfortunate to only be featured in The Phantom Menace. Tragic.

4. Padmé Amidala

   

   Padmé Amidala is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. She appears in the prequel trilogy and is portrayed by actress Natalie Portman. Padmé is the Queen and later Senator of Naboo and the mother of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa.... read more

   This is one of the saddest deaths in the franchise, in my opinion. She spends most of the third film worrying and crying in her apartment about Anakin. Her breaking point comes after Anakin, as Vader, Force-chokes her on Mustafar, almost killing her and her babies.

   When Obi-Wan and the rest arrive on Polis Massa, her time is up. After she gives birth to Luke and Leia, her last words are, "Obi-Wan... there's good in him... I know... I know there's... I know there's... still..." She genuinely believes there's still good in Anakin. However, it's too late, as Palpatine siphons her life force into Vader, and she dies of a broken heart.

   It made me cry when I found out that at her funeral, she is holding the japor snippet that Anakin gave her in the first film.

5. Shmi Skywalker

   

   Anakin promised to return to see her, only for her to die in his hands. Her death plunged Anakin into a blind rage of hate and grief. This moment was the point he began his descent to the dark side.

   If Anakin had Rey's healing powers (why does she have healing powers? She was way too powerful), Anakin could have saved his mom!

   She was a slave her whole life and had a child who was a slave for most of his childhood. He got sent away to become a Jedi. When he came back, she was tortured alive.

6. Darth Maul

   

   Darth Maul is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. Trained as Darth Sidious's first apprentice, he serves as a Sith Lord and wields a distinctive double-bladed lightsaber. Darth Maul first appeared in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and later featured in Star Wars: The Clone Wars... read more

   Even though he committed so many atrocities, he wasn't heartless because he still cared about his mother and brother. His whole life was a tragedy. He was kidnapped as a baby by Darth Sidious, he lost his legs, and his mother and brother were killed in front of him. He was trapped on a planet for years and then Obi-Wan killed him. The way it went was sad. So this was a sad death.

   Apparently, he didn't die, since he came back in The Clone Wars. But yes, his death was sad since I wanted to see more of him in the movies.

7. CT-5555 (Fives)

   

   I challenge any of you to watch the entire scene of Fives dying and not tear up. Even better if you watch all of TCW before. It makes his death so emotional and sad.

   Fives were killed by his own brother, and he was known as the clone that knew too much.

   The nightmares. They're finally over.

8. Obi-Wan Kenobi

   

   Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness in the original trilogy and by Ewan McGregor in the prequel trilogy. The character is a Jedi Master who plays a pivotal role in the training of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker. Obi-Wan also appears in the... read more

   HIS DEATH IS THE SADDEST! He is my favorite Jedi. Enjoy the High Ground. You are missed in the galaxy. Rest In Peace. You are a true hero. The perfect Jedi. Kind and selfless. Truly, he is one of the best.

   I cry every time. Saddest part in A New Hope. The Force is with you forever. May it be with me forever.

   Phoebe, the 16-year-old History Queen, Hamilton lover, and Jedi master whose favorite movie is Star Wars

   He was the best Jedi. If they did his fight with Darth Vader in Episode 4 like his fight with Anakin in Episode 3, that would've been really cool.

9. Savage Opress

   

   Savage Opress is a fictional character who appeared in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Opress became the secret apprentice of Count Dooku and was the brother of Darth Maul. He is voiced by Clancy Brown and made his debut during the show's third season.

   Savage was a bad guy. But what made this death sad was that Darth Maul lost his brother.

   His death was mainly sad because Maul saw it happen.

   Palpatine, why did you have to kill him?

10. Yoda

    

    Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. He first appeared in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back and serves as a wise and powerful Jedi Master with deep knowledge of the Force. Yoda was originally performed by Frank Oz, who provided the character's voice and... read more

    Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of that is. You must train yourself to let go. Of everything you fear to lose.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Ben Solo

    

    Kylo Ren, also known as Ben Solo, is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He commands the First Order with a temper as fiery as his unconventional lightsaber. Kylo Ren first appeared in the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Princess Leia... read more

    He was the best character in Episodes 7-9. I'm sorry to all you Rey fans (I like Rey, by the way), but Rey is crazy powerful! That part doesn't bother me the most. It's the fact that she, Poe, and Finn all stay the same! There's no character development between those three.

    Kylo/Ben is the only one where we see change. His battle between good and bad is evident throughout. At the Be With Me part in The Rise of Skywalker, he rises without the help of other Jedi. They should have had Rey die instead of him (even though I think she's awesome). And why do they have healing powers now?

    At least he had become one with the force and he get's to go with his parents again.

12. ?

    ARC Trooper Echo

    

    Echo is one of my favorite clones!

    Echo is funny, smart, and a good guy.

The Contenders

13. Luke Skywalker

    

    Luke Skywalker is a fictional character appearing as the central protagonist of the original Star Wars film trilogy and as a supporting character in the sequel trilogy of the Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. He is portrayed by Mark Hamill. Luke is a Jedi Knight who plays a crucial role in... read more

    While he may not really be dead, it was sad nonetheless. Luke fading away right in front of the setting sun just jerked me, and I thought, "Man, this is really it for him."

    He faded and became one with the Force. If it were up to me, I would have given Luke a chance at a proper comeback and kept him alive with Chewie and the droids. But in reality, at least he's one with the Force now.

    Luke should be higher. He is one of the best characters and a great Jedi.

14. Chirrut Îmwe

    

    Chirrut gets a bag put over his head.

    Chirrut: "Are you kidding me? I am blind."

    "I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me. I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me."

    When Chirrut died, it really got me. The only time I legitimately cried a bit when a character died in any Star Wars movie.

    Why! He was probably my favorite character in the movie.

15. Duchess Satine Kryze

    

    I have never cried so hard for an animated character in my life. This character is well-written and so pure. It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch her die with the look of horror on her face. And Obi-Wan... you just want to cry for him.

    This should be way up higher. Obi-Wan was forced to watch the woman he loved be stabbed, and he couldn't do anything about it.

    I mean, seriously. I cried, and I very rarely cry.

16. Jango Fett

    

    Jango Fett is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise, created by George Lucas. He made his debut in the 2002 film Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, where he was portrayed by actor Temuera Morrison. Jango is the genetic template for the clone troopers and the father of Boba Fett... read more

    I swear Star Wars, Transformers, Marvel, DC, and Harry Potter kill off too many characters.

    Jango Fett was an awesome bounty hunter, and he is cool with the best ship.

    Jango Fett was the best character in Attack of the Clones and the coolest one too.

17. Mace Windu

    

    Mace Windu is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, portrayed by actor Samuel L. Jackson in the prequel films. He is a high-ranking Jedi Master and member of the Jedi High Council. Windu is known for his purple lightsaber and his role in leading Jedi missions during the Clone Wars.

18. Waxer

    Waxer's death was way worse than Gunray's. Nobody cared much when he died.

19. Kanan Jarrus

    

    He was killed off just as he found peace and started to pursue his relationship with Hera. It was so tragic when his eyes turned teal and he saw her again for the last time.

    Visually breathtaking and heartbreaking end to a character in a very Jedi-like manner. Selfless and dutiful.

    His sacrifice wasn't in vain. The score really brought a few tears from me.

20. K-2SO

    

    Funny, sarcastic, and particularly sadistic. He didn't go down without a fight.

21. Kit Fisto

    

    Kit Fisto is a Jedi from the Star Wars universe. A Nautolan Jedi, Kit Fisto appeared in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which originally ran from 2008 to 2014 and returned in 2020. He is known for his... read more

22. Baze Malbus

    

23. Aayla Secura

    

    Aayla Secura is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise portrayed by Amy Allen in two films of the prequel trilogy. She first appeared in the Star Wars: Republic comic series before appearing in Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005). Aayla is a Twi'lek Jedi Knight known... read more

24. Owen Lars

    

25. Leia Organa

    

    Princess Leia Organa, later known as General Leia Organa, is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. She was portrayed in the films by actress Carrie Fisher. Leia is one of the central characters in the original Star Wars trilogy and plays a prominent leadership role in the Resistance in the... read more

26. Nute Gunray

    

    Nute Gunray is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He appears in the prequel trilogy and in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Gunray is the Viceroy of the Trade Federation and later becomes a member of the Separatist Council during the Clone Wars.

27. Jyn Erso

    

    Jyn Erso is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. She is portrayed by English actress Felicity Jones in the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Jyn is a rebel soldier who plays a key role in stealing the plans for the Death Star.

    She was happy that she and Cassian were able to transfer the Death Star plans to the Rebels.