The Best Live-Action Star Wars Lightsaber Duels of All-Time

For nearly five decades, Star Wars has captivated audiences thanks to its epic lightsaber battles.

Now, as a result of such Disney+ shows as Ahsoka and Kenobi, fans no longer need twiddle their thumbs waiting for the next movie to satisfy their craving for intense lightsaber action. This list celebrates some of the most legendary battles in Star Wars history.

Lightsaber showdowns have significantly evolved from clunky and robotic to slick, elegant, beautifully choreographed lightning, fast-paced clashes of light versus dark. Here, relive some of the most noteworthy, spectacular, and heartbreaking lightsaber duels that will live forever in the hearts and minds of Star Wars fans across the galaxy.

The first of multiple epic duels between former master and apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker marks a pivotal moment, delivering an iconic conclusion to the prequel trilogy. Upon the realization that his friend and apprentice had been consumed by Darth Vader, Obi-Wan reluctantly draws his saber, saying, “I will do what I must,” fighting to preserve the Jedi Order and the Republic.

The battle brims with breathtaking choreography, complemented by an incredible musical score, culminating in a conclusion that bridges the gap between the prequel and original trilogy, interweaving the overarching narrative of the entire saga. Every strike, parry, and emotional beat reinforces the web that binds the characters and events across the saga with lasting consequences, leaving a permanent print on the hearts and minds of fans across the galaxy.

Luke and Vader's final showdown in Return of the Jedi boasts several aspects that cement its iconic status and the number two ranking. Its far-reaching implications reverberate throughout the galaxy, effectively tipping the scales of power back toward the light side after years of imperial Sith dominance.

This climactic duel serves as a display of lightsaber prowess yet, more importantly, as a pivotal moment that showcases the characters' internal struggles, their choices, and the enduring themes of redemption and the triumph of good over evil. It stands as a defining scene in the Star Wars canon.

The live-action Ahsoka series features the return of everyone's favorite galactic hero—turned genocidal youngling murderer Anakin Skywalker, marking his first return to live-action combat since Revenge of the Sith.

Anakin meets Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds to help her complete her training. This battle boasts beautiful choreography, allowing Ahsoka to unlock her full potential and forcing her to confront her fears and regrets as she “lives or dies' in a duel for the ages with her former master. As their lightsabers clash, the evil in Anakin's eyes glimmers with a sinister glow;  he delivers every strike, every parry with relentless Force, testing the limits of Ahsoka's abilities.

This duel marks a game-changing moment for Ahsoka's character. Ahsoka needed this closure/pep duel to propel her forward and allow her to reach her full potential. On top of all these crucial storytelling aspects, the CGI and choreography in this duel are off-the-charts stunning – harkening back to the golden age of lightsaber duels – with subtle callbacks to Anakin's duel with Obi-Wan on Mustafar—making it one of, if not the most visually remarkable duels in Star Wars history. 

Disney, if you're reading – more of this, please!

The second duel from the Ahsoka series on the list finds Ezra and Sabine facing off against Shin Hati and a group of bandits and stormtroopers. Watching Ezra perform Force karate is a genuine delight. The duel showcases Ezra's immense power as he deflects and dodges Shin Hati's lightsaber solely using the Force. Fans also witness Sabine coming into her own with her saber skills, able to hold her own against the same girl who impaled her with a lightsaber earlier in the season. Despite being vastly outnumbered, they defy the odds through teamwork.

This duel represents significant growth for Sabine's character, showing her gradual progression toward becoming a Jedi. The future holds much potential for her and Ezra. Fans eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for each of these fantastic additions to the live-action Star Wars Universe. 

Who could ever forget that moment in A New Hope when Obi-Wan Kenobi and Vader ignited their laser swords? This iconic Star Wars snapshot sets the stage for a rematch (or a rematch of the rematch?) and ignites the narrative for the rest of the original trilogy.

Looking back on this duel, it may display the elegance and grace of action figures being slammed together by a toddler, yet it presents fans with their first exposure to a saber duel, a feature that becomes a cornerstone of the franchise. This showdown spotlights some of the most groundbreaking strides in filmmaking history. It establishes a precedent for audiences to anticipate spectacular lightsaber showdowns, supplementing the rich storytelling.

Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul's fleeting clash on the sands of Tatooine represents a brief yet definitive duel, marking the first saber showdown of the prequel trilogy. This sun-drenched confrontation between Jedi Master and Sith apprentice stands as an underrated spectacle. It deserves recognition for offering a brief preview of the fresh lightsaber dueling style that fans would grow to anticipate in the golden age of lightsaber duels.

The skirmish alerts Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan of the looming Sith threat, offering a sneak peek at Darth Maul and his mesmerizing lightsaber prowess. This episode serves as another testament to The Phantom Menace's role in ushering Star Wars enthusiasts into the golden era of lightsaber dueling, introducing a host of new faces and featuring familiar names and electrifying combat.

Mace Windu takes three Jedi Masters—Agen Kolar, Saesee Tiin, and Kit Fisto—with him to arrest Palpatine. However, Sidious instantly kills the first two and then the third within a few heartbeats. This leaves Windu and Sidious alone to engage in a tense duel, beautifully choreographed with a fast-paced flurry of crimson and purple.

Adding to the tension, Anakin, with the best of intentions, intends to intervene. We all know how that turns out, and in terms of consequences for the larger saga, this duel serves as the catalyst for the tragic events that follow: the rise of the Sith and the Empire, the fall of the Jedi and the Republic, the fall of Anakin Skywalker, and the rise of Darth Vader.

The Force Awakens introduces Stormtrooper FN-2187, also known as Finn, who, when he first appears, provides signals to the audience that there is more to him than meets the eye.,  Despite spending most of the movie attempting to escape the First Order, Finn heroically confronts the conflicted, rage-filled Kylo Ren. Ren outmatches Finn in this heavily charged duel, fighting for his life against the galaxy's most disloyal son. The choreography steps away from the slick, elegant style of the prequels in favor of a more visceral, hack-and-slash style, fitting the tone of the duel.

Finn heaves and blocks, using every ounce of strength to resist Kylo Ren's onslaught. This brief clash creates a palpable sense of raw desperation. How remarkable – a stormtrooper ends up wielding a lightsaber—a revelation that hints at Finn's Force sensitivity, later teased in The Rise of Skywalker.

Anakin takes revenge against Count Dooku in their eagerly anticipated rematch. “An arm for a head…” – how does the old saying go? The choreography in this duel is golden-age prequel lightsaber choreography at its finest. With Palpatine all but ordering Anakin to execute Dooku and Anakin obliging, this duel marks a pivotal step for Anakin toward the dark side. The ease with which Anakin executes Dooku represents a dark turn for his character that foreshadows his transformation into Vader. This marks yet another battle in Revenge of the Sith that carries tremendous consequences for the galaxy in the years ahead.

Upon the ruins of the Death Star, Kylo Ren, and Rey engage in a frenzied dance of blue and red lightsabers, marking the second sequel trilogy duel to grace the list. Ren baits Rey with truths about her lineage, a temptation she can't resist, sparking a furious clash amidst a backdrop of crashing waves.

While the choreography looks beautiful, the fight lacks a certain thrill. The anticipation has lost its fizz, given this isn't the premiere (or even the encore) clash between them in the film. However, the duel's significance is immense, and the consequences presage the film's climax. The duel also provides redemption to a character mired in conflict throughout the trilogy, with Ben Solo discarding the Kylo Ren persona and renouncing the dark side.

Obi-Wan and Vader clash twice in the Kenobi series. Their initial meeting technically qualifies as a duel, albeit the most one-sided duel on this list. Vader tracks down Obi-Wan and engages in a game of cat and mouse as Obi-Wan attempts to evade him. Demonstrating his ruthlessness and calculation, Vader resorts to snapping a young boy’s neck, once again displaying his propensity toward youngling murder. All of this is done to lure out Obi-Wan. The scene is laden with emotion. The lopsided nature of the duel can be attributed to Obi-Wan's lack of practice and his struggle with a mix of guilt and fear over the transformation of his former Padawan and brother. Throughout the one-sided duel, Vader dominates and terrorizes Obi-Wan, taunting and torturing him.

This duel and the series as a whole masterfully capture Vader's ruthless and savage nature, as well as his intense thirst for revenge. Despite Obi-Wan's limited resistance, this scene remains impactful and sets him on a path to regain his strength in preparation for an epic showdown with Vader in the series finale.

This duel stands as one of the most significant subversions of expectation in Star Wars history. Following Kylo Ren's betrayal and killing of Snoke, it initially appears that he's shifted allegiance as he joins forces with Rey to confront Snoke's Praetorian Guards. The guards present a formidable challenge for the two Force-wielders, leading to a chaotic and unorthodox fight due to the diverse array of weapons employed by the guards, ranging from sabers to knives and whips.

Surviving through collaboration, Rey and Ren's teamwork prevails. With a slight change of pace from the typical saber-on-saber clash, this duel provides some of the most enjoyable moments of The Last Jedi, including an emotionally charged exchange and a death that nobody saw coming. 

The final entry on the list showcases Ahsoka Tano's duel with Morgan Elsbeth in the season finale of Ahsoka. Acting on General Thrawn's orders, Morgan is tasked with stalling Ahsoka to facilitate Thrawn's escape. Empowered by Nightsister Magick and armed with the Blade of Talzin, Morgan engages Ahsoka in a brilliantly choreographed clash atop the tower amid a relentless onslaught of blaster fire from stormtroopers. As all seems lost for Ahsoka, Sabine unexpectedly intervenes, pulling a Sabine ex machina to save Ahsoka, allowing Ahsoka to grasp the upper hand and deliver a killing blow.

Morgan's sacrifice thwarts Ahsoka's plan to stop Thrawn. The brilliant blue military tactician manages to escape, and the fate of Ahsoka and Sabine remains uncertain. The outcome of their return to the primary galaxy is poised to carry significant ramifications in future projects as we delve deeper into this unexplored realm of the Star Wars narrative.