Star Wars: 10 Best Space Battles

Highlights

• Star Wars
  is renowned for its adrenaline-fueled space battles, showcasing iconic scenes like the Battle of Hoth and the Battle of Yavin.
• Poe Dameron steals the show in
  The Last Jedi’s
  Battle of D’Qar with thrilling stunts, while introducing Rose Tico as well.
• The Battle of Exegol in
  The Rise of Skywalker
  delivers a thrilling end to the Skywalker Saga with stunning visuals and intense action.

Star Wars is known for many things – the Force, lightsabers, and droids with large personalities to name just a few. But another staple that makes Star Wars such a beloved franchise are the adrenaline-fueled space battles. Spaceships are featured throughout Star Wars and are central to some of its most exciting scenes. Whether it’s Obi-Wan chasing Jango Fett or Han making the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs, there are plenty of thrilling spaceship scenes to enjoy.

Spaceships play a major role in battles, such as the battles of Hoth and Takodana, but they’re absolutely essential when it comes to space battles. Space battles make up some of the most memorable moments in Star Wars with breathtaking stunts and high stakes that keep fans on the edge of their seats.

10 Battle Of D’Qar

Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi

• Director: Rian Johnson
• Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac
• Release Date: December 15, 2017

The second film in the sequel trilogy opens with the First Order retaliating after the destruction of Starkiller Base. As General Hux prepares to open fire, Poe Dameron flies up in an X-wing with BB-8, confident as ever, to stall for time. After toying with Hux and taking out the First Order’s canons, he leads an army of Resistance bombers on a full-scale attack to destroy a dreadnought.

Not all fans were pleased with Poe’s Marvel-style cocky humor, but although the fate of the galaxy doesn’t rest on this comparatively small battle, this is still a thrilling sequence to open The Last Jedi. Poe steals the show with his signature stunts, but there are also some great moments that introduce Kelly Marie Tran’s character, Rose Tico.

9 Battle Of Naboo

Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace

• Director: George Lucas
• Cast: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman
• Release Date: May 19, 1999

The Phantom Menace culminates in a large-scale battle that sees Padme lead a daring assault on the royal palace in Theed as Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi face off against Darth Maul. Meanwhile, the Gungans battle a droid army while Naboo pilots try to take out the control ship in space. Although Anakin hops into a Naboo starfighter to stay safe, he soon finds himself accidentally embroiled in a huge battle above the planet and inadvertently turns out to be the hero by blowing up the control ship’s main reactor.

Although the space battle can’t quite live up to the Darth Maul duel, it’s nevertheless a thrilling part of the film’s finale. As always, John Williams’ score is in top form as the Naboo starfighters soar over the control ship with Anakin gleefully performing various stunts. Star Wars fans who aren’t keen on the young version of Anakin might dislike his commentary, but for others, it lends this battle a certain charm that makes it unique.

8 Battle Of Starkiller Base

Star Wars: Episode 7 – The Force Awakens

• Director: J.J. Abrams
• Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac
• Release Date: December 18, 2015

After Finn and Han land on Ilum to rescue Rey and deactivate Starkiller Base’s shields, the Resistance sends Poe and his squadron in to attack. Despite several direct hits, Starkiller Base takes no damage until Han and Chewie detonate the explosives within the base and leave a small opening for Poe to fly through.

Although this battle might be too similar to the Battle of Yavin for some fans, it’s nevertheless an exhilarating sequence with stunning special effects, especially when the X-wings fly over the snow-capped mountains of Ilum and are intercepted by TIE fighters. Poe’s incredible stunts as he dodges lasers and navigates through a narrow trench before escaping with a tower of flames behind him make for a tremendous finale.

7 Escaping The Death Star

Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope

• Director: George Lucas
• Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford
• Release Date: May 25, 1997

Short and sweet, this is more of a skirmish than a full-on battle. However, considering Luke had only just ventured off Tatooine, this would seem like a huge battle to him. As the Millenium Falcon escapes the Death Star and prepares for the jump to hyperspace, Luke and Han defend themselves from a small squadron of TIE fighters as Leia, Chewie, and the droids pray for their survival.

This small-scale battle really shows George Lucas’ inspiration from World War 2 dogfights. It keeps up the tension throughout, and viewers feel a genuine sense of relief when it’s over. Of course, this is all underscored by John William’s incredible music, a track that has since gone down as one of the best in the franchise, playing over a scene with iconic moments as we see Han and Luke strengthen their relationship.

6 Battle Of Scarif

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

• Director: Gareth Edwards
• Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Mads Mikkelsen
• Release Date: December 16, 2016

While there’s a larger battle happening on the ground with stormtroopers and AT-ATs attacking Rebels, Admiral Raddus leads a fleet of Rebel ships as they amass outside Scarif. However, they have to survive a swarm of TIE fighters until Jyn Erso finds a way to deactivate the shield around the planet to transmit the Death Star plans.

Although not quite as thrilling as the battle taking place on Scarif itself, there are some amazing moments in space, not least when a Hammerhead Corvette pushes Imperial Star Destroyers into each other and sends them crashing into the planetary shield. However, the real joy of this battle lies in its callbacks to the original trilogy. No Star Wars fan can hide a grin when they hear references like “Red Leader standing by,” but the true gift for fans is seeing the esthetics of the classic films combined with modern CGI.

5 Battle Of Exegol

Star Wars: Episode 9 – The Rise Of Skywalker

• Director: J.J. Abrams
• Cast: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac
• Release Date: December 20, 2019

Although The Rise Of Skywalker received a mixed reception from fans, the Battle of Exegol is nevertheless a thrilling end to the legendary Skywalker Saga. With a massive fleet of Star Destroyers ready to deploy, it’s up to the Resistance to stop them and destroy the Final Order. Although it technically takes place in the sky of Exegol, the battle is so detached from the action on the ground and so high up that it can still count as a space battle.

Nevertheless, this setting gives viewers the chance to see something different, from Zorii Bliss using a bow and arrow to Finn leading an army riding a herd of orbaks. This battle’s visuals stand out from the crowd too, thanks to stunning shots of lightning flashing in the background and the Millenium Falcon heralding the arrival of an enormous citizens’ fleet. As the dogfights in the sky intercut with Finn leading an army on top of a ship and Rey facing off against Palpatine, this battle is an intense, crowd-pleasing climax to the sequel trilogy.

4 Battle Of Ryloth

The Clone Wars – Storm Over Ryloth (Season 1: Episode 19)

• Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell
• Cast: Ashley Eckstein, Matt Lanter, Dee Bradley Baker
• Release Date: February 27, 2009

While the best space battles are usually found in the films, there’s one from The Clone Wars that can stand proudly alongside them. With the Twi’lek resistance on the planet Ryloth held hostage by Wat Tambor, it’s up to Anakin and Ahsoka to break through the Separatist blockade and make way for a ground assault. Ahsoka Tano leads a squadron of fighters but runs into a trap in which many lives are lost.

Although it initially ends badly, there’s a real mix of excitement and nervousness as Ahsoka flies into a barrage of lasers, soaring through smoke and debris as she commands a squadron for the very first time. It leads to some great character development for her as she brushes off the defeat and strengthens her relationship with Anakin. Besides some great action, it also showcases some brilliant use of battle tactics, as Anakin drives a damaged starship into the blockade, only just managing to jettison the escape pod before impact.

3 Battle Of Coruscant

Star Wars: Episode 3 – Revenge Of The Sith

• Director: George Lucas
• Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman
• Release Date: May 19, 2005

The final film in the prequel trilogy opens with one of the greatest space battles in Star Wars. With the help of General Grievous, Count Dooku has apparently kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine, and Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are sent to rescue him. The film starts by following two ships dwarfed by the Republic Starship that they soar over before diving into a brutal battle. Lasers fly all over the place as they barrel roll and navigate the battlefield, outrunning homing missiles and dealing with buzz droids.

Although there’s little in the way of tactics, there’s a lot of incredible action and background detail to really show the scale of the Clone Wars. Even better, audiences are treated to the humorous contrast between Obi-Wan’s fear of flying and Anakin seemingly having the time of his life, giving us the chance to see their great relationship before its tragic end.

2 Battle Of Yavin

Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope

The Battle of Yavin is a cornerstone of Star Wars and the one that made space battles an obligatory staple in future films. As the Rebels famously set out to exploit the Death Star’s one weakness, audiences are treated to unforgettable moments with lines still quoted today, from “Red Five standing by” to “Use the Force, Luke.” Although the visuals may have aged, they were groundbreaking in their time and still hold up tremendously well to this day, only strengthened by John Williams’ iconic score. But it’s the storytelling that really makes this space battle so special.

Even when it cuts to scenes of Leia listening intently to updates, it’s just as tense and engaging because the stakes are so high, with the destruction of the Death Star and countless lives on the line. In fact, several characters are killed on screen, from Porkins to Biggs, Luke’s best friend from Tatooine, whose backstory was cut from the film. This tension makes it even more satisfying when Han comes swooping down to save the day and Luke turns off his targeting system to trust in the Force for the first time.

1 Battle Of Endor

Star Wars: Episode 6 – Return Of The Jedi

• Director: George Lucas
• Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford
• Release Date: May 25, 1983

The Battle of Endor isn’t just the finale of Return Of The Jedi – it’s the climax of the original trilogy. Han and Leia fight alongside Ewoks on the forest moon of Endor to deactivate the shield while Luke faces off against Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. But the biggest battle happens in space, as Lando pilots the Millenium Falcon, leading a fleet to destroy the new Death Star under the command of Admiral Ackbar. It might be most famous for Ackbar’s immortal line “It’s a trap!” but there’s so much more to love about this space battle.

In many ways, it’s similar to the Battle of Yavin, with Rebels trying to destroy yet another Death Star. But the stakes are even higher and victory doesn’t seem nearly so assured this time, as the Rebels realize they’re trapped between a fleet of Star Destroyers and a fully-operational Death Star. Even the destruction of the Death Star is more intense, with a tighter trench than last time and even more TIE fighters on their tail. With better effects and higher stakes, this is one of the greatest space battles in Star Wars and the perfect end to an iconic trilogy.