Top 10 Best Star Wars Lightsaber Duels
When it comes to Star Wars, there are few things as memorable or exciting as the best lightsaber duels. Across generations, these battles have drawn fans into unforgettable moments of skill, drama, and high-stakes emotion. Some of the most iconic scenes in cinema history come from these face-offs, each showing not only the power of the Force but also the complexities of the characters involved. And the sheer creativity in the choreography brings you into that world like nothing else, making you feel every swing, block, and leap.
The top Star Wars movie of all six, it makes sense that it also has the best duel. A compelling story that began in Episode I builds up to the ultimate mystery of how Anakin became encased in Darth Vader.
An intense, heated, emotional duel between Anakin and his former master and best friend is the best way it could have happened. This duel is the main thing that makes Episode III the most emotional Star Wars film, ending in sadness and despair as the Empire rises and the evil Palpatine's plan succeeds.
Vader's life-supporting armor made him feared by the galaxy for years to come, thanks to his awesome but sad duel against Obi-Wan.
This is the most intense lightsaber action in the trilogy, mostly because they were constantly fighting while a lot of Anakin vs. Obi-Wan was spent swinging on ropes, floating on platforms, etc.
But I can't say I like Darth Maul in any way. He ruined Obi-Wan's life! First, in The Phantom Menace, he killed Qui-Gon, forcing Obi-Wan to train Anakin while coping with his master's death and not being totally prepared for either. He also killed his close friend Duchess Satine in Clone Wars.
I have to admit, the first time I saw Obi-Wan behind the red shield, it was VERY intense.
The best duel by far. It was dark and ominous from the beginning. When I saw it as a kid, I thought Luke would win because the good guys always win, right? Wrong!
When Vader cut off his hand, I thought it couldn't get any more shocking. But Vader's words cut even deeper than his lightsaber. In real life, Luke would have needed therapy after this encounter. The greatest reveal in the history of cinema, in the greatest film of the Star Wars franchise.
The stakes are higher in this battle as Luke faces Darth Vader for the first time. The setting and the dark lighting are what make this battle great, especially with the most famous Star Wars line being said at the end.
The sword fighting seems more realistic and better choreographed. #1 on my list.
This is the best lightsaber duel in the Star Wars franchise due to how emotional and climactic it was. Unlike in The Empire Strikes Back, we see a battle between two equals here as Luke has finished his training and is now ready to confront his father.
Add in the ultimate puppet master, Emperor Palpatine, watching from his throne, goading Luke and Darth Vader into a fight to the death, and you have so much tension that you can cut it with a knife! This duel isn't just the best lightsaber duel, but its conclusion is also one of the most powerful moments in the Star Wars franchise.
This duel was between the leaders of the two greatest opposing and warring groups in history. Yoda, the greatest of all Jedi, versus Lord Sidious, the greatest Sith in the history of the dark side. When you say lightsaber duel, what should automatically pop into your head is this duel right here. Not only was it greatly executed, but it was fought right in the heart of Palpatine's newly created Empire.
True, Yoda got beat, but he went out with a literal bang! What was even more stupendous was all the senatorial hover platforms Palpatine hurled at Yoda. Just the greatest lightsaber duel in Star Wars history ever!
While not quite the most intense fight on the list, the reason it is so high is that it is the first time we see Palpatine use a lightsaber. In the theater, many people probably just blinked and, by the time they opened their eyes, two Jedi Council members were dead. It is a great fight and displays how powerful Palpatine truly is.
Windu may have won, but I personally think that Palpatine let Mace beat him once he sensed Anakin coming. Perhaps the greatest part about this fight is that it is like poetry, mirroring the events of Return of the Jedi, but with a different outcome.
The fourth best battle (behind Obi-Wan and Anakin and the two Luke vs. Vaders) is mind-blowing. Yoda jumping around while swinging his lightsaber like crazy is truly awesome.
I think I split a lung from laughing so hard. Yoda bounced around like a flea on a hound dog! It still took Anakin to cut Dooku's head off.
People hate this lightsaber scene for no apparent reason. I hated Episode II, but this scene was still awesome.
General Grievous was at a disadvantage considering his weak condition and not having the Force, but he put up a great fight nevertheless.
Definitely not the most badass, but it was pretty intense. People tend to forget about this one.
Far more emotional than Episode II's, but this one has a theme of revenge, hate, and brotherly love.
For all those who don't remember, this is the very first lightsaber duel. It is definitely old school, but it had every kid playing lightsaber with a stick and making the noise in the '70s.
I love this fight because of what Obi-Wan did to himself. Instead of trying to kill Vader, he let himself lose. But instead of being chopped in half, he disappeared as a Force Spirit.
He let himself get killed because he knew he could never defeat Darth Vader, and if he did, the stormtroopers would kill him anyway.
So, he let himself get killed so Luke, Han Solo, and Princess Leia could escape the Death Star before Darth Vader could catch and kill them.
The Newcomers
Oh, come on! You can't tell me you like these live-action fights compared to a CGI duel where they can do whatever they want without the restraints of physics!
God, I loved this one. The CGI was amazing. The most dynamic duo in Star Wars against the evillest man in the galaxy? Love it.
This duel was awesome. I was amazed that Darth Sidious was in The Clone Wars. It was like the best duel in the Star Wars saga.
This scene actually showed some realism to the fights, unlike the prequels. The duels wouldn't be super flashy and super choreographed. They would be more gritty and slow.
The fight also showed how Kylo was hurt and battling with his internal feelings. He was struggling between the dark and the light. It also showed how Kylo isn't fully trained and that because of all of that combined, someone such as Rey could take him. Rey also had used her staff before, so she'd at least be decent with a saber.
Overall, the fight was good.
It was awesome. This fight was a combination of the great fight choreography of the prequels and the raw emotion of the originals. It is probably my favorite Star Wars fight.
What else is there to say?
I'm not a huge fan of the new trilogy, but I have to give them credit where they earned it. This scene was amazing. I loved this fight.
For your money, you're not going to find a more surprising, emotional, and well-choreographed fight.
Awesome fight because Luke tricks ("distracts") Kylo into thinking he is actually there (but Luke isn't) so that the Resistance could escape.
Great way to end Luke because technically Kylo doesn't kill him, but rather Luke allows Rey to become the Last Jedi as he becomes one with the Force along with his father and all the other Jedi.
"Strike me down in anger and I'll always be with you. Just like your father" - Luke
Come on, are you guys crazy? Even though Rebels falls short of the Clone Wars, there's no duel in any Star Wars media that matches this one.
The emotion between the two, the part where (SPOILERS) Vader's mask is slashed and we hear Anakin's voice... it's all just stunning.
This is an epic battle! I loved when she leapt on him with two sabers! It's amazing!
Definitely top 10 for me. One of the most emotional duels in all of Star Wars.
Great duel. Anakin with two sabers vs. Dooku is the best part. One of the few duels where the bad guys prevail. Anakin gets his arm chopped off, leading to another great duel. Awesome overall.
Count Dooku takes down two of the most powerful Jedi/Sith, then Yoda comes in and schools that fool!
What about Yoda? He was in that fight! At least give him credit.
This episode has a lot of significance, which I love.
An intense, action-filled saber duel, but it lacked the style seen in Episode I.
Kit Fisto is my favorite Jedi, and General Grievous is awesome, so it was just an incredible fight.