Han Solo is one of the most beloved characters in the entire Star Wars franchise. Han Solo was originally brought to life by the wonderful Harrison Ford, who became one of his most iconic roles. Alden Ehrenreich would step up to the legendary role in the Han Solo centric movie, Solo: A Star Wars Story. The witty, badass character served as a great audience surrogate, being a mere human among the countless Jedi, Wookies and other space creatures featured in the films.
It's no secret that Han Solo has brought some of the franchise's greatest moments, period. Whether it be a hilarious comment or joke, or an epic moment that displays his incredible skill, he certainly deserves his spot among the best Star Wars characters there is. It's a testament to his character that among these super-powered beings and aliens, a mere human can be a top fan favorite, thanks to the many memorable moments he brings.
10 Han Solo Flies the Kessel Run
'Solo: A Star Wars Story' (2018)
Image via Lucasfilm
Since the Original trilogy, Solo has bragged about making the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. So, when Lucasfilm and Disney decided to jump backwards in time and tell the smuggler's origin story in Solo: A Star Wars Story, fans expected to hopefully see this feat pulled off themselves. Thankfully for them, they did get to witness this incredible moment.
The scene is a perfect example of just how good of a pilot Solo really is. In the original Star Wars trilogy, it's typically emphasized how great the young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is at the activity, but it's often forgotten just how skilled Han is. It's also a visually electrifying scene that wowed audiences who rushed to theaters to see this origin story in 2018.
In Solo: A Star Wars Story, young Han Solo embarks on a series of daring adventures within a perilous criminal underworld. He forges significant alliances, including with his future copilot Chewbacca and the enigmatic gambler Lando Calrissian, while navigating a landscape fraught with danger and betrayal.
Writers Jonathan Kasdan , Lawrence Kasdan , George Lucas
Budget $275–300 million
Studio(s) Disney
Distributor(s) Disney
Sequel(s) Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker
Franchise(s) Star Wars
Character(s) han solo , Chewbacca , Tobias Beckett , Qi'ra , Lando Calrissian , Val , L3-37 , Dryden Vos , Rio Durant , Enfys Nest , Lady Proxima , Rebolt , Korso , Imperial Emigration Officer , Imperial Recruitment Officer , Weazel , Imperial Mudtrooper
9 "Chewie... we're home."
'Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens' (2015)
Image via Lucasfilm
The announcement of another trilogy of Star Wars films so many years after the Original trilogy meant many were wondering whether the original cast would be returning in some way, shape or form. While it was spoiled in trailers, audiences still got chills from Han and Chewbacca's (Peter Mayhew) big debut in the Sequel trilogy. When they eventually board the Millennium Falcon and Han says, "Chewie... we're home," the audience couldn't help but crack a smile.
It's a wonderful call back to how important the Falcon was in the previous films and to the characters, as well. It's also just the perfect way to reintroduce the famous duo into the franchise again. Not to mention, the score that plays here, reminiscent of the suite from the first three movies, is perfect.
As a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.
Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Franchise(s) Star Wars
8 Han Solo Reunites With Leia Organa
'Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens' (2015)
Image via Lucasfilm
Reintroductions of old characters aren't the only great callbacks in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. One of the best moments featuring the original characters is seeing Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo, the classic couple, reuniting after many years. This scene provides a plethora of context to where the characters have been since the ending of the Original trilogy.
The reunion between Han and Leia is somehow heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.
This moment is so well done that audiences don't need to see the events of the past to understand their significance, as Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford provide performances that are pretty much perfect for the moment. The reunion between Han and Leia is somehow heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Seeing Han be less witty and snippy, and showing more emotion always provides a great moment.
7 Han Solo Rescues Luke Skywalker on Hoth
'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)
Image via Lucasfilm
Luke Skywalker may be the protagonist of the Original trilogy, but he isn't perfect and can't get himself out of every situation. When Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back opens, Luke is on a mission on the planet Hoth, but finds himself in a sticky situation. When all hope seems lost, it's up to Han to venture out and save the young hero from certain death.
Ever resourceful, Han uses Luke's lightsaber to cut a creature open and put Luke inside to keep him warm. If not for Han, the protagonist of the Star Wars franchise would have died quite prematurely. Plus, it's kind of awesome to see the fan favorite smuggler use a lightsaber.
After the Rebels are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
Release Date June 18, 1980
Runtime 124 minutes
Main Genre Sci-Fi
Writers Leigh Brackett , Lawrence Kasdan , George Lucas
Budget $30.5 Million
Studio(s) Lucasfilm
Distributor(s) 20th Century
Franchise(s) Star Wars
6 "Never tell me the odds."
'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)
Image via Lucasfilm
Han Solo has a plethora of great moments in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back and one of them happens to be one of his greatest quotes of all time. When the pilot decides the only way to escape his enemies is to fly through an asteroid field, his robot friend, C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), informs him of the slim odds they have of surviving.
No matter what challenge seems to be in his way, Han doesn't give up and always tries to find a way out.
However, Han doesn't care much about those odds and simply tells the bot, "Never tell me the odds." It's a great moment that displays his never-ending determination. No matter what challenge seems to be in his way, Han doesn't give up and always tries to find a way out. It's one of the best characteristics of the hero.
5 Han Solo Saves His Son
'Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker' (2019)
Image via Lucasfilm
It was pretty much written in the stars that, at some point, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) would turn back to the light side, but how he would was quite unknown. When Kylo is at his lowest, he sees his late father, Han Solo, as a vision. When he approaches his son after telling him he misses him, he simply says, "Kylo Ren is dead. My son is alive."
The old man isn't back as a force ghost (as that's not possible for him), but as a piece of Ben Solo that never died.This goes to show just how important Han actually was to his son, deep down, which is why he needed to kill him in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. It's a heartwarming moment that brings Ben back to the light the best way he could have.
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Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker
In the riveting conclusion of the landmark Skywalker saga, new legends will be born-and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
Yes, Han shot first. This moment goes down in history as one of the best character introductions in sci-fi. The way Solo is depicted here does a great job setting up exactly the kind of man he is and the character arc he'll need to go on, as well. The amount of discussion regarding who shot first that was spawned from this moment also did wonders in making the moment so memorable.
It also depicts why he is necessary for the team to partner with. The two more mild-mannered Jedi and the young man certainly need someone willing to kick things into high gear and get their hands dirty when need be. Especially due to the fact that they're now up against the seemingly unstoppable Empire.
A farm boy from a desert planet becomes an unlikely hero in the fight against the oppressive Galactic Empire. Guided by a former Jedi Knight and alongside a rebellious princess, a smuggler, and his co-pilot, he embarks on a mission to destroy the Death Star, a massive space station capable of annihilating entire planets. As he learns about the mystical Force, he discovers his destiny and the true strength within himself.
'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)
Image via Lucasfilm
If anything's for certain, Han Solo is a man of action. This is shown off perfectly when, while traversing through Cloud City, him and the others walk in on Darth Vader (James Earl Jones). While most would cower in fear or simply run away from the ever-powerful Sith Lord, the smuggler-turned-hero decided to immediately begin firing his blaster at him.
Han doesn't fear much and doesn't take flak from anyone, not even the biggest bad guy there is.
While he doesn't end up hitting Vader due to the blaster shots being blocked, this is a wonderful example of why Han is such a special character. Han doesn't fear much and doesn't take flak from anyone, not even the biggest bad guy there is. Darth Vader is no match for Han Solo's pure courage and determination.
2 Han Solo Comes Back to Destroy the Death Star
'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope' (1977)
Throughout most of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Han makes it very clear that he cares not about the Rebellion and simply wants to get paid for the job. But, when the going gets tough, and he decides to leave (after being paid) as they begin to launch an assault on the Death Star, it seems like he'll be gone for the rest of the film.
However, when he's needed most, he shows his true colors and comes back to help out of the goodness of his heart. It proves that Han isn't just the man that was set up in his introduction scene and that he also has a soft spot. It shows the plethora of growth he's gone through because of his adventure with Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and the others.
1 "I know."
'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)
Image via Lucasfilm
One of Han Solo's most selfless acts in the entire Star Wars franchise is sacrificing himself at the hands of Darth Vader, being frozen in carbonite, not to return until the third film in the trilogy after being betrayed by Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). This ended up serving as a huge moment in his character's journey, not just because he acted selflessly, but because it's the moment in which Leia finally confesses to him that she loves him.
However, Han Solo is not like an ordinary love-interest character. Rather than saying "I love you" back, he simply states, "I know," a response one would only receive from the fan favorite smuggler. It also serves as a great midpoint for their love story and Han's overall character arc in the Original Trilogy. It's also, frankly, his best quote.
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