JuicyTalk
Almost 50 years later, the original Star Wars trilogy are some of the most beloved movies of all time. Telling a timelessly epic story of good and evil and a desperate rebellion against galaxy-wide tyranny, the original trilogy is just as popular and beloved as it was nearly five decades ago. As a result, all three films have some of the very best movie quotes of all time.
Whether it’s 1977’s A New Hope, 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, or 1983’s Return of the Jedi, the original Star Wars trilogy is full of incredible characters and even greater lines of dialogue. Over time, many of these lines have become incredibly memorable, so much so that even those who haven’t watched the movies in years or aren’t even huge fans can still likely finish several of the OT’s best quotes with little effort.
While ranking the best quotes from the original Star Wars trilogy is admittedly difficult (and will likely generate some opposing views), here’s our best attempt at ranking them all the same, from the wisdom of Jedi Master Yoda to the dark revelations of Darth Vader himself.
“I Suggest A New Strategy, R2: Let The Wookiee Win.” (C-3PO)
C-3PO’s advice to R2-D2 during their holo-chess/dejarik game with Chewbacca aboard the Millennium Falcon is definitely one of the most humorous moments in A New Hope. After hearing from Han Solo that upset Wookiees are capable of pulling off people’s limbs, Threepio’s recommendation to Artoo couldn’t be funnier.
“Luminous Beings Are We, Not This Crude Matter.” (Yoda)
It’s pretty easy to argue that most of Yoda’s teachings and words of wisdom on Dagobah to Luke Skywalker are all iconic and some of Star Wars’ best dialogue. However, his line about “luminous beings” definitely sticks out as particularly notable, speaking to the greater connections all beings in the Star Wars galaxy have to the supernatural energy field that is the Force. Likewise, it also adds to Yoda’s most important lesson to Luke, showing him that physical limitations are nothing to those who are strong and confident enough in the Force and its power.
“This Deal Is Getting Worse All The Time.” (Lando Calrissian)
In 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, Lando attempts to avoid conflict by working with Darth Vader and the Empire when they come to Cloud City. Hoping to protect the people under his care as the city’s baron administrator, Lando ends up having to contend with additions to the deal he made with Vader, like Han Solo being frozen in carbonite and given to the bounty hunter Boba Fett. In the years since, the line has become a solid Star Wars meme.
“When 900 Years Old You Reach, Look As Good You Will Not” (Yoda)
Confirming his impressive age, Yoda’s line to Luke in Return of the Jedi is easily one of his best lines and one of the original trilogy’s funniest quotes. At the same time, the line is also a testament to just how long Yoda lived in the Star Wars galaxy, training Jedi and shaping the Jedi Order ahead of its demise in Revenge of the Sith.
“Everything That Has Transpired Has Done So According To My Design.” (Emperor Palpatine)
Palpatine’s revelation in Return of the Jedi demonstrates just how much he believes himself to be in control during the events of the original trilogy.
With Vader in his service and a brand-new Death Star ready to annihilate the Rebel Alliance, Palpatine believes he holds all the cards, having shaped events and the balance of power in the galaxy (even before the events of the prequel trilogy which saw him transforming the Galactic Republic into his very own Empire). However, it’s also proof of his own overconfidence as pointed out by Luke, as he was unable to foresee Vader’s surprise redemption and turn back to the light for the sake of his son.
“Why, You Stuck-Up, Half-Witted, Scruffy-Looking Nerf Herder!” (Leia Organa)
Princess Leia Organa’s insult toward Han Solo has to be one of the funniest exchanges in The Empire Strikes Back. Although the second movie in the original trilogy might begin with Leia and Han clashing and arguing, it all precedes Leia eventually professing her true feelings for Han before he’s frozen in carbonite by the movie’s end. Keeping that in mind, Han telling Luke that Leia expressed her true feelings for him (when she hadn’t yet), is the perfect catalyst to motivate her string of hilarious insults to the charismatic smuggler.
“Size Matters Not. Look At Me. Judge Me By My Size, Do You? (Yoda)
Much like the iconic “luminous beings” line, one of Yoda’s best and most memorable lines defies Luke’s assumptions about physical limits like size and strength when it comes to using the Force. Likewise, the line is even better due to the fact that it precedes Yoda lifting Luke’s entire X-Wing out of the Dagobah swamps, proving the truth of his wisdom with one of the very best scenes in The Empire Strike Back.
“There Is Another Skywalker…” (Yoda)
While it may not be the most iconic revelation made in The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda’s final line in the second Star Wars movie is still memorable, confirming to Obi-Wan’s Force ghost that Luke is not their last hope, as well as the fact that he’s not the last Skywalker either. Naturally, the tease is fulfilled in Return of the Jedi with the reveal that Leia is Luke’s twin sister, who has just as much potential in the Force as her brother.
“It’s A Trap!” (Admiral Ackbar)
Few lines from the OT have become bigger memes than Admiral Ackbar’s famous warning during Return of the Jedi’s Battle of Endor. Said following the surprise reveal that the second Death Star is in fact fully armed and operational, everything goes sideways for the Rebel Alliance fleet as they start losing ships one by one.
“I Have A Bad Feeling About This” (Various)
The original trilogy established one of Star Wars’ most frequent running lines, which has since been heard across countless different projects in the overall franchise. Characters repeatedly sense that something is wrong shortly before things almost always become so much worse/more dangerous.
