Cole Horton - Star Wars: Book of Lists

When creator and director George Lucas first envisioned the story of Star Wars, the space opera he wanted to make was too large for any one film. He imagined a story so big it would take an unheard-of nine films to tell. He would have to settle for just one, a film then known only as Star Wars (now, A New Hope). That film told the middle story of an epic battle between the forces of good and evil, and surprised almost everyone to become one of the most successful films of all time. Now more than forty years and 11 films later, Star Wars has grown even larger than anyone could have imagined.

The subsequent films, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), took us to new places, gave us more villains to root against, and showed us a hopeful vision of a galaxy far, far away. We saw the fall of an Empire, the redemption of Darth Vader and rise of Luke Skywalker as a Jedi Knight, cementing these characters into the hearts and minds of a generation.

In 1999, more than twenty years after the first Star Wars, audiences got to see first-hand galactic events only alluded to in earlier installments. These prequel filmsThe Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), and Revenge of the Sith (2005) showed us the fall of Anakin Skywalker, revealed the shocking rise of Darth Vader, took us to the battlefields of the Clone Wars, and portrayed what the Jedi Order had been.

The story of the Jedi came back to the big screen in a new trilogy, beginning with The Force Awakens (2015). There, a fresh generation of protagonists join the classic heroes in a renewed struggle against the dark side. In The Last Jedi (2017), we learn what happened to Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and in The Rise of Skywalker (2019), we see the epic conclusion of the Skywalker saga.

But the Skywalker story is just one part of a galaxy far, far way. Films like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) give us new insights into the events and characters wed come to know and love. Whether its the rebel mission to steal the Death Star plans or the story behind Han Solos scoundrel ways, they added even more epic scale to the Star Wars galaxy.

That epic scale is part of what makes Star Wars so great. Audiences are thrust into the middle of the action, diving head first into a galaxy of unending possibilities. Its a story that spills onto the pages of hundreds of books and comics, comes home in animated and live-action series, rests in our hands in dozens of games, and fills our imagination thanks to countless toys. That epic scale is on display in these 100 lists as well. They reveal many of the recurring themes, common elements, and familiar motifs from the films that make Star Wars an enduring story for generations of fans.

LUKE SKYWALKERS MOST HEROIC MOMENTS

A BACKWATER FARM BOY DOESNT BECOME THE MOST LEGENDARY HERO IN GALACTIC HISTORY WITHOUT HIS FAIR SHARE OF COURAGEOUS ACTS. WHEN LUKE SKYWALKER EMBARKS ON THE ULTIMATE HEROS JOURNEY, LITTLE DOES HE KNOW THAT SO MANY DARING MOMENTS LIE AHEAD OF HIM. BEFORE HES DONE, HELL TAKE DOWN A DEATH STAR, DEFEAT AN EMPEROR, AND BECOME LEGENDARY ACROSS THE GALAXY.

DEATH STAR ESCAPE

(A New Hope)

During the rescue of Princess Leia on the planet-destroying Death Star battle station, Luke and the princess face a perilous challenge. With stormtroopers not far behind and a broken bridge ahead of them, Luke uses a grappling hook to swing across a seemingly endless chasm below. With a skilled toss of the rope and a kiss for luck, Luke carries Leia safely across the abyss to their eventual escape. (Image A)

DEATH STAR TRENCH RUN

(A New Hope)

Just moments after becoming a rebel, Luke joins two squadrons of brave starfighter pilots in their last-ditch effort to destroy the Death Star. Their plan is to fly the tiny fighters through the stations defenses and target a weakness in the superweapons design. With the fate of the Rebellion resting on his aim and Darth Vader on his tail, Luke uses the Force to make a one-in-a-million shot that destroys the battle station and saves the galaxy. (Image B)

BATTLE OF HOTH

(The Empire Strikes Back)

Now the leader of Rogue Squadron, Commander Luke Skywalker leads a gallant defense of the rebel base on Hoth. As Imperial walkersunfazed by laser blastsbear down upon the fleeing rebels, Luke and his pilots employ cables to trip the mechanical monsters. When his own speeder goes down, Luke uses his lightsaber (and a few gadgets) to take down a walker single-handedly.

RESCUE ON TATOOINE

(Return of the Jedi)

When the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt finally captures Han Solo, Luke stages a heroic rescue attempt of his friend. Just when it looks like the whole gang will be executed, Luke puts his plan into motion. With some help from R2-D2, the Jedi saves his friends, destroys Jabbas sail barge. Its all in a days work for the growing Jedi. (Image C)

DUEL WITH VADER

(Return of the Jedi)

Luke faces his father, Darth Vader, and the evil Galactic Emperor in this climactic lightsaber duel aboard the second Death Star. Sensing good in him, Luke hopes to turn his father back to the light side but the Emperor has other plans. Courageously, the young Skywalker proclaims he will not fight anymore, tossing his lightsaber to the side. As the Emperor hands out a shocking punishment to the young man, Vader does indeed have a change of heart and sacrifices himself to defeat the Emperor. (Image D)

BATTLE OF CRAIT

(The Last Jedi)

Decades after defeating the Empire, Luke Skywalker goes into hiding on the distant planet of Ahch-To. The aging Jedi Masters self-exile comes after his failure to train the next generation of Jedi and his nephew Ben Solos turn to the dark side. A visit from Rey, R2-D2, and Chewbacca isnt enough to convince him to return to civilization, but the wisdom of his long-lost Master Yoda persuades Luke that he must step in to save the Resistance from the evil First Order. Using the Force, Luke projects himself to the planet Crait to confront Kylo Ren. While the effort tricks his former student and allows the Resistance to escape, it is also fatally exhausting to Skywalker. As a result of his heroic deed, Luke Skywalker becomes one with Force. (