Star Wars continues to be one of the most popular and most successful franchises in the world. Created by George Lucas, Star Wars ushered in a new wave of space fantasy that changed the path of the creative field as a whole. The original trilogy is set in stone as one of the greatest stories ever told, and it sparked the expansion of an entire universe that has lasted almost half a century. Stories of the Force and the ancient feud between the Sith and the Jedi have captured the hearts and minds of millions around the globe.

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The battles between the Sith and the Jedi are legendary bouts that continuously replay themselves as the struggle for balance in the galaxy wages on. Countless duels have occurred, with some of the most powerful Force users from both sides wielding their lightsabers as the galaxy's fate hangs in the balance. Lightsaber duels are one of the most spectacular aspects of Star Wars, and every fan has a favorite.

Updated on March 2, 2024, By C.M. Edwards: Star Wars remains one of the most popular franchises in the world, and much of its popularity is owed to the lightsaber battles featured throughout. The never-ending battle between the light and dark side of the Force makes for a perfect fantasy story that has everything from interstellar worlds to laser sword-wielding space wizards. The characters that have come from this franchise have also stood the test of time and become iconic examples of brilliant storytelling. However, nothing makes fans' mouths water quite like the fights between the Sith and Jedi. Though many lightsaber duels have been fought throughout Star Wars history, some are arguably much more iconic than others.

14 Obi-Wan Kenobi Vs. Darth Maul (The Final Encounter)

An Epic & Symbolic Confrontation

• Star Wars Rebels: "Twin Suns" (Season 3, Episode 20)

The long, twisted rivalry between Darth Maul and Obi-Wan spans decades. From the time that Obi-Wan Kenobi was just a padawan, training under Qui-Gon Jinn, Maul became a thorn in his side by first taking his master's life and then coming back stronger with every defeat he was handed.

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After the fall of the Jedi during Order 66, Obi-Wan confined himself to watching over Luke Skywalker on Tatooine. Darth Maul, still fueled by his hatred for Kenobi, found his hiding place and again challenged the Jedi Master. Though the fight was quite brief, it offered viewers a satisfying conclusion to Kenobi and Maul's iconic rivalry.

13 Rey Vs. Kylo Ren

A Tense Battle With A Surprising End

• Star Wars: Episode 9 - The Rise of Skywalker

In the final entry of the sequel trilogy, Kylo Ren stalks Rey to the remnants of the second fallen Death Star. With nowhere to run, Rey must meet Ren in a duel among the sinking wreckage. Ren still hopes that Rey will join him, but Rey, consumed with anger, instead opts to fight.

The crashing waves, Death Star wreckage, and emotion of the duelists make for an epic confrontation. Kylo is, without a doubt, the more skillful duelist, but a call through the Force as his mother takes her final breath gives him pause. Rey takes advantage of this moment, leaving Ben Solo wounded from a lightsaber stab to the gut.

12 Anakin Skywalker Vs. Asajj Ventress

An Aggressive Battle In Which Anakin Embraces His Anger

• Star Wars: Clone Wars - "Chapter 18" & "Chapter 19" (Season 2, Episodes 8 & 9)

The original Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series had some of the best fights in the franchise as they explored the treacherous encounters the Jedi had to go through during the war.

Anakin met one of his greatest battles on the battlefield when he was ambushed by Count Duku's Sith assassin, Asajj Ventress. Strong with the force and a talented fighter, Asajj pushed Anakin further than most ever could in combat. This battle depicted both duelists as incredibly powerful, making for one of the most tense animated duels in Star Wars history.

11 Satele Shan & Kao Cen Vs. Lord Vindican & Darth Malgus

An Iconic Cinematic Clash

• Star Wars: The Old Republic

In Star Wars: The Old Republic, fans are treated to an epic duel for this MMO's introduction. Although non-canon, the Star Wars universe has expanded significantly thanks to some stories being set thousands of years before Anakin Skywalker's birth. In this age, the Sith are many and are vigorously trying to wipe the Jedi Order from existence in an all-out war.

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As the war begins, the relentless Sith Lord, Darth Vindican, and his apprentice meet Jedi master Kao Cen and his apprentice in combat. This fight was animated by Blur Studios and sparked the success of the game's long active history.

10 Count Dooku Vs. Anakin Skywalker

A Nail-Biting Battle With A Harrowing Climax

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

In the third entry of the prequel trilogy, Anakin and Count Dooku meet once again on the battlefield in the early moments of the movie. Dooku, having bested Anakin in battle by taking his arm in a previous fight, entered this duel seething with confidence. Anakin, remembering the loss of his arm, met Dooku head-on with a calm focus that would spell disaster for the Sith apprentice, especially since he boasted that his powers had doubled since they last met.

As Chancellor Palpatine watched the two cross lightsabers, Anakin proved his strength and brought Dooku to his knees. With a single order from Palpatine, Anakin slew his adversary without mercy, cutting off his head.

9 Master Yoda Vs. Darth Sidious

A Clash That Determined The Fate Of The Jedi

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

The sequel trilogy of Star Wars saw many first-time events that wowed fans in the theaters. Anakin's fall from grace and the fall of the Jedi Order still rings as one of the best turns in cinema.

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However, a moment that had many on the edge of their seats was when Jedi Master Yoda stepped into battle and met one-on-one with Darth Sidious. For the first time, the wisest and most powerful Jedi faced off against the wisest and most powerful Sith lord. The fight was an amazing display thanks to the help of the CGI of the times, and it holds its own to this day.

8 Toul Vs. Bichan

A Fast-Paced Showdown With A Shocking Final Blow

• Star Wars: Visions - "Journey to the Dark Head" (Season 2, Episode 5)

The Star Wars: Visions series on Disney+ is a unique opportunity to showcase non-canon stories within the Star Wars universe that are disjointed from the main story but still add unique lore to the universe as a whole. In the second volume of Star Wars: Visions, a young Jedi Knight named Toul comes face to face with a monster from his past in the form of the Sith Lord Bichan.

Toul embraces his crippling fear and faces off against Bichan in one of the most beautiful duels in Star Wars history. Well-animated and choreographed, Star Wars proves once again that it's great for the animated medium.

7 Maul & Savage Opress Vs. Darth Sidious

A Showcase Of Palpatine's Lightsaber Prowess

• Star Wars: The Clone Wars - "The Lawless" (Season 5, Episode 16)

When Darth Maul returned after Obi-Wan cut him in half, he was given new strength thanks to his collaboration with his brother, Savage Opress, and a new set of legs from the Night Sisters of Dathomir. With this new power, he conquered Mandalore and took hold of its throne and the Darksaber, much to the displeasure of his former master, Darth Sidious.

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Darth Sidious had moved on from Maul as an apprentice and had since been grooming Anakin Skywalker to take over the galaxy far, far away. As such, the rule of two must play out, and Sidious battled against Maul and Savage in a violent flurry of red blades for this 2v1 battle, in which Sidious was the victor.

6 Ahsoka Tano Vs. Darth Vader

A Master & Apprentice Lock Sabers

• Star Wars Rebels: "Twilight of the Apprentice" (Season 2, Episodes 21 & 22)

Star Wars Rebels is a beloved continuation of the Star Wars universe that has garnered a cult following. It explores the life of a small group of rebels, equipped with two Jedi, who battle against the scourge of the Empire's rise to power. One of the reasons fans love this series is due to the continuation of Anakin's apprentice's story.

In the finale of Season 2, Ahsoka is reunited with her old master. Ahsoka and Darth Vader have a highly emotionally charged duel, in which the fallen Jedi Knight, Anakin Skywalker, battles his apprentice with nothing but hatred in his heart.

5 Anakin Skywalker Vs. Ahsoka Tano

Ahsoka Confronts Her Past & Gets More Than She Bargained For

• Ahsoka - "Shadow Warrior" (Season 1, Episode 5)

In the highly acclaimed Ahsoka series, fans were delighted to see Hayden Christensen return as Anakin Skywalker, reunited with Ahsoka for the first time in live-action. After Ahsoka is beaten and thrown off a cliff, she finds herself in the World Between Worlds, confronted by her old master. Anakin then decides to teach Ahsoka one final lesson.

A reluctant Ahsoka is then forced to fight Anakin in both his Light side and his Dark side personas. This battle is a joy to watch unfold, both because of the characters involved and the significance it holds in the overarching story of Ahsoka and Star Wars.

4 Darth Maul Vs. Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi

The Original Duel Of The Fates

• Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace

In the rightfully dubbed Duel of the Fates, Darth Maul faces off against Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. As the Sith Apprentice ignites his iconic dual-bladed lightsaber, the Jedi Master and Jedi Apprentice ready themselves for the first fight with a Sith in almost 1,000 years.

The fight is of epic proportions, with adrenaline-fueled and rapid choreography throughout. John Williams' amazing score is simply the cherry on top. This battle also marked the beginning of a more fast-paced combat approach in Star Wars, one that the prequel trilogy embraced several times throughout each movie.

3 Luke Skywalker Vs. Darth Vader

An Unknowing Son Confronts A Manipulative Father

• Star Wars: Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back

This is very duel that captured audiences around the world and put them on the edge of their seats. The original trilogy is where it all began between the Empire and the Rebellion. Luke Skywalker, still full of revenge for the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, finally comes face-to-face with Darth Vader. Though he has trained well, the young Jedi is still no match for the Sith Lord.

Vader toys with Luke for the majority of the encounter until the duel concludes with Luke losing his hand. Darth Vader then delivers one of the most shocking revelations in all of cinema by informing Luke that he is his father.

2 Obi-Wan Vs. Darth Vader (Kenobi)

A Fallen Master Confronts His Former Student

• Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Part VI" (Season 1, Episode 6)

After almost 20 years, Obi-Wan Kenobi returned with the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+, which was a breath of fresh air for fans who truly enjoyed the prequel trilogy, providing more stories about Obi-Wan's life after the fall of the Jedi and the betrayal of Anakin Skywalker. In the final act of the series, Obi-Wan meets Darth Vader on equal ground in order to buy time for the rebellion to escape.

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Obi-Wan has faith in the Jedi again, and his powers in the Force are stronger than ever as he faces off against his former friend for what he believes is the last time. Obi-Wan is pushed to his limit at first but quickly regains his resolve and brings Darth Vader to his knees, revealing a scarred and broken Anakin Skywalker from within. This emotional moment between the two icons sees a tear shed, as Anakin proclaims that he is dead, killed by Vader, the one that remains. Obi-Wan, accepting that his friend is truly gone, chooses to walk away.

1 Anakin Skywalker Vs. Obi-Wan Kenobi

The Clash That Created Darth Vader

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

Anakin's tragic story leads him down the dark path of joining the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, and turning on the Jedi Council, including his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin's fear drives him to make terrible decisions that begin the end of the Jedi and lead him and Obi-Wan Kenobi to clash on Mustafar, where the fate of the galaxy hangs by a thread.

The fight is one of the longest and most epic battles in the entire Star Wars franchise. Brother vs. brother, the battle is chock-full of emotion and is backed up by stellar choreography that shows just how impressive a lightsaber duel can be. Though Obi-Wan eventually wins the battle, Darth Vader is born from his inability to finish the job.

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