In theStar Warsuniverse, there’s a whole host of powerful Jedi across the movies to keep the peace in a galaxy far, far, away. Using the mysterious Force, they (mostly) maintained order against theknown Sith Lordsand their armies. Inspired by knights and samurai, the Jedi are easily the most iconic element of Star Wars and the subject of numerous theories since 1977.
While the original trilogy only had a handful of Jedi Knights, the prequels and the sequel trilogy expanded the scope of the franchise. There’s a wide range of Jedi with varying backgrounds, which is what makes the Jedi an interesting group of people, especially when they break tradition and train an unconventional apprentice. Some are exceptionally powerful and are usually at the heart of the stories. What defines a Jedi as powerful often varies, but it is a combination of their knowledge of The Force and skill with a lightsaber, as well as how they choose to use their abilities.
Updated on August 9th, 2023 by Timothy Lindsey:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15Ezra Bridger
Ezra Bridger first comes along as a street kid inStar Wars: Rebels.Alone for a big part of his life after his parents' imprisonment, he joined the rebel crew of the Ghost and was trained by fellow Jedi-in-hiding Kanan Jarrus. Bridger helped Jarrus and Co. fight the Empire by carrying out missions that involved them inflicting their will on Imperial bases and depots.
Bridger became an increasingly powerful Jedi. He helped free his people on his home planet of Lothal from the clutches of the Empire. His strength as a Jedi helped push the Empire closer to its demise. Much like Luke Skywalker, Ezra Bridger’s Jedi abilities were game-changing and helped create many problems for the Empire. Once it fell, he and Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn were taken into hyperspace by Purrgil (space whales). Ashoka Tano, who Ezra saved, is hot on their trails. Her journey to find them both could very well be addressed inAhsoka.
14Ki-Adi-Mundi
Ki-Adi-Mundi was one of the elite members of the Jedi Order and Council. Movie viewers get a chance to see him sit alongside Master Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and many other respected warriors in the prequel trilogy. He was one of its most experienced members in the last days of the Galactic Republic.
He was named one of the Jedi Generals of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was sadly what led to his death as he was betrayed by clones on the planet of Mygeeto when Order 66 started. Fans see that happen inRevenge of the Sith(2005). However, he was trained by Master Yoda, which helped give him the knowledge and experience to become one of the most respected Jedi in the galaxy.
13Plo Koon
Like Mundi, Plo Koon is also one of the most respected members of the Jedi Council and has unique facial features. He was also named a General of the Grand Army of the Republic. What sets him apart from Mundi is his ability to be a fantastic pilot. However, he was shot down and killed by clones during Order 66 on Cato Niemoidia.
It is definitely fair to say that he was one of the bravest Jedi. He went on extremely dangerous missions, including tracking down Separatist warships and arresting a young Boba Fett. Koon also helped discover a young Ahsoka Tano, whom he shares a very strong bond with. His combat skills were extremely noteworthy, as were his Force capabilities. Saying that he isn’t one of the best members of the Jedi Order is absurd.
12Count Dooku
A former Jedi turned Sith,Count Dookuis one of the most respected and powerful force users in the galaxy. Even before his turn to the dark side, he was a well-respected member of the Jedi council and was the master of Qui-Gon Jinn.
Dooku was incredibly well-trained with a lightsaber and a powerful force user, and his first true mark towards the dark side was when he killed Jedi master Yaddle as shown recently inStar Wars: Tales of the Jedi. Once turned to the dark side, Dooku is strong enough to not only take on both Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in combat but also hold his own against Yoda. However, he was not wise enough to resist the Dark Side.
11Leia Organa
Yes, Leia Organa was a Jedi. In fact, she was quietly one of the strongest Jedi. Fans get a glimpse of that in the old trilogy withEmpire Strikes Back(1980) andReturn of the Jedi(1983), as she can sense Luke’s feelings. She senses Luke when he is in trouble after his duel with Darth Vader on Bespin, and then she knows Luke is safe after the explosion of the Darth Star.
InThe Rise of Skywalker(2019),an older Luke tells Rey that on the last night of her training, she could sense the death of her son (Ben Solo/Kylo Ren). She chose to end her time as a Jedi knowing that her lightsaber would be picked up by someone else to continue her path. That person ended up being Rey. Leia’s ability to use The Force and her senses helped turn Ben Solo back to the good side. Her Jedi abilities were absolutely game-changing in the fight against the Galactic Empire and the First Order.
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Despite his adorable appearance and not yet havingappeared in aStar Warsfilm, Grogudeserves a spot on this list. He uses his powers to save Din Djarin throughout Disney+ favoriteThe Mandalorian.After a short amount of training with Luke Skywalker, Grogu’s true powers were shown, and he could potentially even rival Master Yoda as one of the most powerful Jedi
Grogu began his Jedi training and did well, despite his heart not truly being in it. His power is still extremely impressive and is likely to develop even further without the proper training. Unfortunately, he chose to return to his life alongside Din Djarin instead of finishing his Force training with Luke Skywalker. His access to the Force is unlocked and his potential is high, but his skills are basic.
9Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka Tano is one of the strongest Jedi in theStar Warssaga because, like Leia, she knew when it was time to step away from being a Jedi for a time. That happened towards the end ofThe Clone Warsbecause she realized that the Jedi Order was somewhat flawed. She also needed a break from that way of life. Tano later comes back as more of a rebel fighter in an effort to fight the Sith and the Galactic Empire.
InThe MandalorianandThe Book of Boba Fett,fans see her back to her old Jedi ways as she helps train Grogu, a former youngling who escaped Order 66. Yes, she wields her lightsabers better than most. But, what makes her an elite Jedi is her ability to follow the path that she thinks is best for her. Her ability to trust The Force is what makes her so powerful. Fans will see that inAhsoka, which releases later this month on Disney+.
8Qui-Gon Jinn
Apprentice to Count Dooku, master to Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the Jedi master that discovered Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn is one of the most important Jedi in theStar Warsuniverse. While he did die at the hands of Darth Maul inThe Phantom Menace, the power of a Jedi is not only in lightsaber combat but in the knowledge of the force.
Qui-Gon is able to come back to the land of the living after having died. He appears to be the first Force Ghost and the one who teaches Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi this power. Qui-Gon Jinn is the best example of Obi-Wan’s famous line “Strike me down and I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”
7Mace Windu
An instant fan-favorite with help from his flashy purple lightsaber,Samuel L. Jackson’s Mace Winduwas Master of the Jedi Order until the time of the Battle of Geonosis, at which point he gave the title to Yoda. Mace Windu lead hundreds of Jedi to the Battle of Geonosis and even killed the infamous bounty hunter Jango Fett.
On that fateful night depicted inthe underratedRevenge of the Sith, Windu joined Kit Fisto and went to arrest Senator Palpatine. Remember that epic, tragic duel? Mace Windu was about to win — when Anakin Skywalker betrayed him. Windu will always be remembered and cherished as a quintessential “good guy” by fans of the galaxy far, far away…
6Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
Despite spending most of his screen time as the feared leader of the First Order,Kylo Ren, the Jedi behind him is truly a powerful one. His power went so far as to scare Luke Skywalker, which says enough about the power that was inside the whole time.
Unfortunately, like his grandfather Anakin, Ben turned to the Dark Side and used his powers to work against the Jedi. Despite all of this, he still deserves this spot because, at theend of his life, he showed he was still good deep down and just needed someone (that is, Rey) to believe that about him.
