The ten greatest Star Wars villains of all time, ranked

Who’re the most effective Star Wars villains? Whereas the Star Wars journey is stuffed with unimaginable heroes, we wouldn’t be half as engrossed within the intergalactic house battles if it weren’t for the formidable foes they face alongside the best way.
That’s as a result of, the reality is, Star Wars is a reasonably harmful place. Whether or not it’s evil Jedi-killing Sith lords, nefarious bounty hunters, impassive droids, or intimidating ISB officers of the Galactic Empire, there are threats lurking behind each nook, ready to ensnare the unsuspecting. These vary from the outright terrifying to the extra mundane, and it’s that selection that makes the evil villains a few of the greatest Star Wars characters round.
So, after rewatching all of Star Wars so as (with films and Star Wars collection included), we’ve put collectively an inventory of the crème de la crème relating to the highest Star Wars villains, energy, charisma, and total evilness.
The ten greatest Star Wars villains, ranked:
- Normal Grievous
- Darth Maul
- Grand Admiral Thrawn
- Moff Gideon
- Asajj Ventress
- Jabba the Hutt
- Dedra Meero
- Darth Vader
- Grand Moff Tarkin
- Emperor Palpatine
10. Normal Grievous
Say what you need concerning the Star Wars prequel trilogy, however nobody can deny that Normal Grievous is a downright terrifying foe who I’d hate to face in fight. The cyborg is cruel, and along with his 4 arms swinging about Lightsabers, your adrenaline can’t assist however spike whenever you watch him on display screen.
Making his live-action debut in 2005’s Star Wars film Revenge of the Sith, Grievous is among the most fashionable villains round, utilizing aptitude in fights and scuttling across the battlefield like a lethal scorpion. He might not have a ton of display screen time, however his iconic battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi is iconic and has led to his look in video games and Star Wars collection too. Generally model over substance simply works.
9. Darth Maul
We couldn’t write this listing with out mentioning the Star Wars edge lord and elegance icon, Darth Maul, now, might we? If anybody had an look that screamed evil Sith lord, it was Maul along with his demon-like options and horned purple face. When he first appeared on the large display screen within the ‘90s film The Phantom Menace, Darth Maul instantly captured consideration and gained a fanbase.
And since his debut, we’ve solely grown to like this villain extra as his backstory unfolded in spin-off films and collection. Maul was kidnapped as a baby, molded, and educated into the perfect villain. He’s fuelled by rage and revenge, making him a scary enemy since he doesn’t stop and makes use of any and all means to succeed in his targets.
8. Grand Admiral Thrawn
Grand Admiral Thrawn just isn’t one of the crucial well-known Star Wars villains, however that doesn’t make him any much less worthy of being on the listing. The story of Thrawn, one of many main Admirals within the Imperial Navy, is advised by way of Star Wars novels, and that is the place the character first picked up his military of followers.
Since then, Thrawn has been seen because the villain within the animated collection Star Wars Rebels. He’s identified for his chilly, calculating tackle villainy, and is among the much less aggressive and extra cerebral Star Wars villains. He in all probability gained’t be the individual to tug the set off himself, however you’ll be able to wager he’ll be planning and laying the traps. The character is ready to make his live-action debut within the upcoming Star Wars collection Ahsoka, which can comply with his story within the downfall of the Empire.
7. Moff Gideon
It’s by no means a shock to see Giancarlo Esposito on a greatest villains listing, and he’s earned his place right here, too. Moff Gideon has been the primary antagonist to this point within the hit sci-fi collection The Mandalorian. He made his identify by way of his daring plans to extract the blood of the highly-force delicate Grogu (higher generally known as Child Yoda) and was even the proprietor of the Darksaber till it was taken from him by Din Djarin.
Gideon has proved himself to be a canny and merciless opponent, however not like Thrawn, he’s more than pleased to get into the thick of the struggle, and he’s a powerful fighter too. Moff Gideon is a kind of all-around dangerous dudes who you merely don’t need to come throughout, which makes him an enthralling Mandalorian character.
6. Asajj Ventress
Because the disciple and apprentice of Depend Dooku, Asajj Ventress proved that she was one of the crucial fun-to-watch villains round. All through the Clone Wars TV collection, and in expanded lore, too, Asajj Ventress turned one of the crucial compelling and complicated characters in all the galaxy.
Her flirtations with Obi-Wan Kenobi sparked life into the commonest of interactions, and her transition from an all-out baddie to a extra morally unpredictable character marks her as among the finest of the most effective. Don’t let that idiot you, although. If she wished to kill you, don’t doubt that she might do it with ease.
5. Jabba the Hutt
The huge, slimy, squishy crime lord is the epitome of greed and evil. Not solely did this ugly Star Wars alien treasure Han Solo‘s frozen physique as a ornament, he additionally enslaved Princess Leia and gave Luke Skywalker a run for his cash when he dropped him down into the Rancor Pit. In actual fact, he ended up being certainly one of Luke’s most difficult foes within the Star Wars films, regardless of barely with the ability to transfer. That’s fairly a powerful feat.
When it comes right down to it, Jabba is simply gross. If we had to decide on whether or not to be in a room with him or Darth Vader, we’d relatively take our probabilities with the Sith.
4. Dedra Meero
The TV collection Andor season 1 launched audiences to the actually glorious Dedra Meero. Performed to absolute perfection by Denise Gough, Dedra Meero is an ISB officer whose total purpose is to search out a insurgent generally known as Axis.
On her quest to do that, the targets Cassian Andor, particularly believing he can lead her to Axis. Alongside the best way, we see how brutal she may be in pursuit of what she needs, and whereas it’s straightforward to initially root for her within the Star Wars collection, that melts away as we watch her commit unspeakably terrible acts within the identify of the Empire.
3. Darth Vader
What’s left to say about Darth Vader? Maybe essentially the most intimidating determine the galaxy has ever seen, Darth Vader wields his brutal may to terrifying impact, and his presence is felt throughout all the Skywalker saga. He’s a Sith lord of huge energy, regardless of the constraints of his mechanical shell, and he is aware of the right way to use a lightsaber, that’s for certain.
Evidently, it’s within the Unique Trilogy of science fiction films the place the Star Wars character actually shines. From the very first second, the viewers sees that here’s a film villain who is totally unwilling to compromise or endure fools. He makes use of the Drive to choke his personal officers once they disagree with him and slices by way of the Riot’s forces like a sizzling knife by way of blue butter. You do not need to get on the unsuitable facet of Darth Vader.
2. Grand Moff Tarkin
Pay attention, few figures can stand subsequent to Darth Vader with out being choked in mid-air, particularly these with none Drive-related powers themselves. Performed by Peter Cushing, Grand Moff Tarkin is among the most imposing villains in Star Wars and helped kickstart the development of participating baddies within the IP when he made his huge debut in 1977’s A New Hope.
He was Darth Vader’s right-hand man, accountable for the operations on the Demise Star. It was additionally his order that led to the destruction of the planet Alderaan, so yeah, he’s a cold-blooded killer. For the reason that ‘70s, Tarkin has change into a Star Wars villain legend, showing in animated collection and receiving his personal novel titled Tarkin in 2014. He’s a agency believer in utilizing concern as an oppression device and has the respect of Vader too. Principally, he’s an S-tier baddie.
1. Emperor Palpatine
The Galaxy’s favourite dictator and the person who stood because the central villain for the entire Skywalker Saga, Palpatine, is a particular type of evil. Also referred to as Darth Sidious, Palpatine managed to revive the Sith, took full management of the Galaxy, and manipulated highly effective souls equivalent to Vader to do his bidding.
He’s a power-hungry baddie who has change into an icon of evil in popular culture, not simply in Star Wars. Seldom will we see such an unapologetic psychopath whose lore and backstory simply reinforce that his true nature is shady as hell. This lightning wielder is so scary that in our minds, he can stand subsequent to a few of the greatest horror film villains of all time – like Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger.

To spend extra time along with your favourite Star Wars films, try our information to the Star Wars solid and the whole lot that we all know concerning the new Star Wars films.
Or, should you want a break from the Drive, listed below are our lists of the most effective science fiction films and the most effective films of all time. We even have a useful information breaking down all the brand new films heading our method this 12 months.