Star Wars Kisses Ranked Worst To Best
Star Wars is more acclaimed for its epic lightsaber battles than its love stories, but the franchise has its fair share of romance. Created by George Lucas, the original trilogy includes a romantic arc between Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford); their mutual distaste upon meeting in the first installment, 1977's A New Hope, turns into passionate love by 1980's The Empire Strikes Back.
Han and Leia's relationship adds emotional depth to the classic era of Star Wars, and many fans consider them to be the most iconic couple in the series, though they certainly have competition. The prequel and sequel trilogies introduced viewers to other lovebirds, such as Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman), Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren aka Ben Solo (Adam Driver), and Finn (John Boyega) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran).
Admittedly, Star Wars hasn't always gotten it right when it comes to romance. Some couples in the franchise have more chemistry than others, and many love scenes — particularly in the much-derided prequel trilogy — are hurt by bizarre dialogue choices and D-grade acting. The worst kisses in Star Wars are undercut by uncomfortable themes or retrospective retcons, but the best kisses in the Star Wars series restore balance to the Force, portraying believable and moving relationships. Read on for the definitive list of Star Wars kisses, ranked from worst to best.
Luke and Leia lock lips
To be fair to Luke (Mark Hamill) and Leia here, they didn't know they were brother and sister at the time, but that doesn't make their kiss any less uncomfortable. During The Empire Strikes Back, Princess Leia kisses Luke in a bid to make Han Solo jealous after Han rescues Luke from the snowy wilderness of Hoth. The tension between Han and Leia in Empire is palpable. Leia wants Han to stay and fight for the Rebel Alliance, but Han has his own ideas. Moments prior to the incestuous tongue-swapping, Leia and Han's bickering reaches a climax with Leia delivering one of Star Wars' most famous insults. To further provoke Han, Leia lays one on Luke before they depart from Hoth.
Watching this in theaters in 1980 probably wasn't a big deal. Before Return of the Jedi debuted in 1983, fans weren't aware that Luke and Leia were fraternal twins, and neither were the characters. Return of the Jedi's revelation about the Skywalker siblings retrospectively casts an uncomfortable light on this scene, however — especially when Leia tells Luke on Endor that "deep down" she's "always known" the truth about being his sister. Luke and Leia's sibling smooch is more suited to Game of Thrones than Star Wars, making it the worst kiss in the series.
Anakin kisses Padme on Naboo
Anakin Skywalker's romance with Padme Amidala is one of the weakest points of the much-criticized prequel trilogy. The 9-year-old Anakin meets the 14-year-old Padme in The Phantom Menace before reuniting with her a decade later in Attack of the Clones, when Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are tasked with protecting Padme following an assassination attempt on Coruscant. Obi-Wan eventually leaves the planet while a moody teenage Anakin escorts Padme to Naboo.
Anakin soon makes his romantic feelings towards Padme obvious. While looking out over a scenic lake, Padme reminisces about her fond childhood memories of playing the beach, prompting Anakin to remark of his home planet, Tatooine, "I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere. Not like here." (Hayden Christensen's stilted delivery doesn't make this unintentionally hilarious line any better). Anakin ups the creep factor by stroking Padme's bare back before leaning in for a kiss. Padme kisses him back momentarily, but pushes him away when she remembers that their love is forbidden. The total lack of anything even vaguely resembling chemistry in this scene makes Padme's corny line in Revenge of the Sith, "Hold me, like you did by the lake on Naboo," feel all the more forced.
Padme and Anakin reunite
Anakin and Padme become slightly more believable in the third film in the prequel trilogy, though their romance never reaches the epic heights of Han Solo and Princess Leia. Revenge of the Sith opens with a battle above Coruscant that results in Anakin killing the Sith Lord Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) at Palpatine's encouragement. Anakin returns to the planet below and reunites with his secret wife Padme, and the two share a kiss before the former Queen of Naboo reveals some news: she's pregnant.
Unfortunately, everything goes downhill for Padme and Anakin after that, as the Jedi is plagued by nightmares of his wife dying in childbirth. Padme does eventually die at the end of the film while giving birth to Luke and Leia. Meanwhile, Anakin turns to the Dark Side and becomes the feared Sith Lord known as Darth Vader.
Padme and Anakin's reunion kiss is less awkward than their first kiss on Naboo, but not by much. The moment is undercut by the absurdity of them kissing openly in public despite their forbidden love; Padme points this out, but Anakin brushes it aside. It's pretty obvious that their relationship exists only to advance the plot. At least this awkward embrace is brief.
Anakin and Padme get married
Attack of the Clones concludes with a final scene on Naboo of the secret wedding ceremony of Anakin and Padme, witnessed only by C-3PO and R2-D2 (we assume the latter was the ring bearer). The couple is wed in front of the sea and setting sun in one of their better romantic moments. Meanwhile, the galaxy prepares for the future ahead with the Clone Wars looming on the horizon, while the Jedi Council learns of Darth Sidious' control over the Senate from Count Dooku.
After the chaos of Attack of the Clones and the high-stakes, near-death experiences Padme and Anakin have shared by this point in the film, it's a little easier to see why they're drawn to each other. As Murray Bauman of Stranger Things would say, they have "shared trauma." Not only that, but Anakin and Padme have now also seen each other at their bravest, united by a common cause. It's not the most thrilling kiss in the Star Wars series by far, but Padme and Anakin's wedding kiss is at least somewhat emotionally plausible. Plus, the scene gets bonus points for stunning scenery and swelling music.
Rose kisses Finn
The Last Jedi could well be considered the most controversial installment in the Star Wars saga. Directed by Rian Johnson, the 2017 film received a mixed reaction from fans, with many criticizing the arcs of fan favorites like Luke Skywalker and General Leia Organa as well as cast newcomers Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren. Many critics focused on Finn's lack of character progression in the movie. His story diverges from Rey's, including a side quest to the casino planet of Canto Bight in search of DJ the hacker (Benicio Del Toro) and a romantic storyline with new character Rose Tico.
After the Resistance flees to Crait, new Supreme Leader Kylo Ren leads an assault on the base, forcing the Resistance pilots to fend them off with their speedsters. Finn almost sacrifices himself in a heroic, last-ditch effort to fly his speedster into the First Order's weapon, but Rose intervenes at the last second, flying directly into Finn and crashing them both to a halt. Finn quickly ensures Rose is OK, demanding to know why she stopped him. Her reply? "That's how we're gonna win. Not by fighting what we hate, but saving what we love." Rose then kisses a shocked Finn before falling unconscious.
The sentiment of the moment is nice, but many fans were left puzzled, unsure of the new direction for his character.
Han and Qi'ra's first kiss
The 2019 prequel Solo: A Star Wars Story reveals that Princess Leia isn't the only person to have stolen Han Solo's heart. Directed by Ron Howard, Solo takes place approximately 10 years before A New Hope during Han's youth, with the younger titular character played by Baby Driver actor Alden Ehrenreich. The film opens on Corellia, where Han and fellow orphan Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke) prepare to flee the planet after stealing a valuable fuel source called coaxium. Han returns to Lady Proxima's lair with the coaxium in the movie's opening scene. Relieved to see him, Qi'ra pulls him into a shadowy alcove for a quick reunion kiss.
Han's love for Qi'ra drives the events of Solo. When he's forced to leave Corellia without her, everything he does afterward is about finding her again, which includes joining the Imperial Navy in the hopes of becoming a pilot. Qi'ra is undoubtedly Han's first love, despite her apparent allegiance to the Dark side. Though their rapport doesn't rival Han's romance with Leia, it makes for a perfectly enjoyable love story in its own right, adding depth to Han's character and expanding the wider world of the Star Wars franchise.
Leia and Han kiss aboard the Millennium Falcon
Han and Leia share several iconic romantic moments throughout the original Star Wars trilogy, so it's a bit difficult to rank them, but we'll do our best.
Their relationship is the foundational epic love story of the series. Han first meets Leia in A New Hope, when he and Luke rescue the Princess of Alderaan from Darth Vader aboard the Death Star. Han and Leia's story continues throughout Empire, with barbed banter and plenty of sexual tension. Their different backgrounds — Leia is literally royalty, while Solo's a scrappy outlaw — hide the fact that they have quite a bit in common.
Return of the Jedi sees them together at last, as they help Luke Skywalker defeat Darth Vader, Palpatine, and the rest of the evil Empire. Their first kiss aboard the Millennium Falcon is one of Star Wars' most classic scenes. Heightened by the genuine chemistry of actors Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher (the two also had an off-screen affair), the kiss occurs after Han sarcastically calls Leia "your worship" and Leia calls him a "scoundrel."
Leia lets herself succumb to her feelings for Han — and so begins a romance that, ultimately, leads to doom, with the birth of Kylo Ren, Han's death in The Force Awakens, and the rise of the First Order. Despite the gloomy future ahead, Han and Leia's kiss aboard the Falcon remains an iconic Star Wars moment that makes it nearly impossible not to root for these characters.
Padme and Anakin share a kiss as they enter the arena
Anakin and Padme's love story might not be the best romance in the Star Wars series, but the two did set the events of the Skywalker saga in motion, leading to the rise of Darth Vader and the births of Luke and Leia. Towards the end of Attack of the Clones, Padme and Anakin find themselves in a precarious position when they are captured by Count Dooku and Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison). Before their planned execution in the arena, the couple shares a tender moment where Anakin tries to console Padme, who confesses her love for him. They kiss, before entering the arena aboard a chariot, ready to die side by side. The two, along with Obi-Wan, are ultimately rescued by the Jedi.
Perhaps it's because of the mortal peril staring the characters in the face, but this kiss feels like Anakin and Padme's most genuine moment of love. The brevity of the situation forces them to confess their feelings, fearing that, if they don't, they'll never get another chance. Admittedly, this moment is slightly undercut by the awkward adverbs in Padme's declaration — "I truly, deeply love you" — but it remains one of the better lip-locking scenes in the Star Wars universe.
Han and Qi'ra kiss on the Millennium Falcon
During Solo, Han reunites with Qi'ra after meeting Chewbacca and teaming up with space criminal Beckett (Woody Harrelson). Fans soon discover that Qi'ra has survived the harsh years by pledging her allegiance to Crimson Dawn and working as lieutenant to Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany). Shortly after meeting Han and Beckett, Vos sends them on a mission to retrieve more coaxium from the mines of Kessel with Qi'ra. The former lovers later share a reunion kiss aboard the Millennium Falcon, amongst the extensive cape collection of Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover).
Han's happiness at reuniting with Qi'ra is so earnest that it makes this moment one of the best kisses in the Star Wars series so far. Although it's clear that Qi'ra's holding something back, their passion is palpable and worthy of its own Star Wars theme music.
Fortunately for fans of Han and Leia, Han and Qi'ra drift apart throughout Solo. Qi'ra solidifies her ties to Crimson Dawn, kills Vos, and speaks with Darth Maul during the Star Wars villain's brief cameo. Qi'ra could appear in the upcoming Disney+ series Lando, while fans of Emilia Clarke can expect to see her in the new Marvel series Secret Invasion.
Ben Solo and Rey kiss before he sacrifices himself
Rey's romance with Ben Solo aka Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy is another controversial subject in the fandom. Fans of "Reylo" were thrilled to see Rey kiss Ben after the former Sith brought her back from the dead, while others (including John Boyega, who took to Twitter to share his feelings) criticized their romance as a portrayal of an unhealthy relationship. In fairness, Rey and Kylo Ren were depicted as enemies from The Force Awakens. They fight against each other during every installment in the sequel trilogy, with Kylo attempting to read her thoughts, killing her mentor Han Solo, and leading the First Order in an attack on Rey's friends in the Resistance.
Their kiss may have been divisive, but Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley make this scene one of the most heartfelt moments in the series. Upon finding Rey's dead body in The Rise of Skywalker, Ben appears distraught, looking more like a scared child than an evil Sith Lord. When Rey awakens, the emotion of the moment is overwhelming; the two share a kiss before Ben dies and becomes one with the Force. Sacrificing his life to resurrect Rey helps him atone for his mistakes, and stands out as one of the better romantic moments in the Skywalker saga.
Leia saves Han from Jabba the Hutt
Return of the Jedi features another iconic reunion kiss between Han Solo and Leia Organa, when Leia disguises herself as a bounty hunter to rescue Han from Jabba the Hutt. Leia releases Han from his carbonite imprisonment. Struck by hibernation sickness, Han is initially disoriented by his newfound freedom. Luckily for him, Leia is there to comfort him, answering his question: "Who are you?" with "Someone who loves you." Reunited after a year apart, the two share a kiss.
The long wait and the danger of the moment make this scene compelling. The moment is cut short by Jabba's interjection, but their reunion kiss is another highlight in their love story, as well as one of the most iconic scenes in the Star Wars franchise. The moment is famous enough that it's been parodied in shows such as Family Guy. Along with Luke and Chewbacca, Han and Leia go on to battle the Empire on the forest moon of Endor, confessing their feelings and locking lips once more.
I love you. I know.
The No. 1 kiss on this list probably won't surprise many Star Wars fans.
During the final moments of Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader orders Han to be frozen in carbonite, testing the process he intends to use on Luke. Before he is lowered into the machine, Han instructs Chewbacca to look after Leia in his absence. Leia and Han kiss before Stormtroopers pull the Captain of the Millennium Falcon away. As Han is dragged off, Leia confesses her feelings in the best exchange of Star Wars dialogue in the whole franchise: "I love you." "I know." Han's carbonite-encased body is delivered to Jabba by Boba Fett, and Leia and Chewie escape with the help of Lando (Billy Dee Williams).
Not only is this one of the film's most iconic lines, but their goodbye kiss in Empire is also the best kiss in the Star Wars series. The sexual tension between the characters culminates with a painful and moving farewell. Han's response is appropriate for his character (and was improvised by actor Harrison Ford). This classic Star Wars kiss symbolizes the series' best qualities.