The Star Wars saga features the Jedi, who, through their connection to the Force, can return as spirits after death. These ‘Force Ghosts’ appear to guide and assist future Jedi. This concept first appeared in the original film, A New Hope, when Obi-Wan Kenobi became a Force Ghost to help Luke Skywalker. Since then, many of the key Jedi characters have returned in this form, and in Rise of Skywalker, Rey received encouragement from the voices of all the past Jedi spirits during her fight with Palpatine.
Leaving aside the voices Rey heard, here’s a list of every Force Ghost who physically appeared in the Star Wars movies.
6) Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi was the first Force Ghost viewers encountered in Star Wars. A veteran Jedi living on Tatooine, he secretly watched over young Luke Skywalker, aware that the Empire would target Luke if they discovered his location. Obi-Wan began training Luke, but his life was tragically cut short when he sacrificed himself to protect Luke from Darth Vader.
Even though Obi-Wan seemed to be gone, I was so relieved when his spirit lived on, guiding Luke during the attack on the Death Star! Seriously, Luke couldn’t have blown it up without Obi-Wan’s help. And then, as a Force ghost, Obi-Wan directed Luke to find Yoda on Dagobah, another Jedi hiding from the Empire. It was amazing to see that connection continue, even after his death.
5) Yoda
In The Empire Strikes Back, Obi-Wan Kenobi sent Luke Skywalker to Yoda for Jedi training, hoping Yoda could teach him to use the Force. Yoda was a demanding teacher, but he quickly helped Luke develop his abilities. Unfortunately, Luke left before completing his training after having a vision that his friends were in danger.
Yoda passed away soon after Luke departed. Before his death, he was able to communicate with Obi-Wan Kenobi’s spirit and revealed that Luke had a sister. While Yoda first appeared as a Force Ghost in Return of the Jedi, The Clone Wars series explained how he learned to become one. He later reappeared alongside Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
4) Anakin Skywalker
As many know, Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. Unlike Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, who were trained to become Force Ghosts, it’s unclear how Anakin achieved a similar form after death. However, his selfless act of saving Luke Skywalker by turning against the Emperor brought him redemption and allowed him to return to the light side, ultimately making his transformation possible.
At the end of Return of the Jedi, Anakin Skywalker appeared as a Force Ghost, joining Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Originally, actor Sebastian Shaw played Anakin in this form. However, George Lucas later updated the film for special editions, replacing Shaw with Hayden Christensen as the Force Ghost of Anakin.
3) Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker’s death in Star Wars: The Last Jedi sparked debate, largely because he was the hero of the original trilogy. However, his fate mirrored those of his Jedi mentors, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, who both sacrificed themselves to protect and guide Luke. He ultimately met the same end – a selfless act to ensure the survival of the next generation of Jedi.
In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Luke Skywalker appears as a Force Ghost to guide Rey, mirroring how Obi-Wan once aided him. Luke encourages Rey to continue fighting for the Resistance and makes a final appearance with his sister at the film’s conclusion.
2) Leia Organa
It’s somewhat surprising that Leia Organa appeared as a Force Ghost in Star Wars, but she did. Similar to her brother Luke, Leia returned in the sequel trilogy to guide the Resistance in their fight against the renewed Empire. However, her character’s death in the films mirrored the real-life passing of actress Carrie Fisher.
Leia, having received some of her father Anakin’s Force abilities, reappeared in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to help her brother conclude the trilogy. This felt illogical, as Luke and Leia never actively trained to become Force ghosts, yet they appeared as such anyway. Despite this, it was a touching way to bid farewell to their characters.
1) Qui-Gon Jinn
Interestingly, even though Qui-Gon Jinn wasn’t the last Force Ghost to appear in terms of the film order, he was the most recent to appear in a Star Wars movie or series. He showed up in the Disney+ show Obi-Wan Kenobi, which is set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. However, his appearance as a Force Ghost felt even more confusing than Luke and Leia’s.
The series Star Wars: The Clone Wars established Mortis as a central point where the Force itself originated. During that show, Qui-Gon Jinn sought training to become a Force Ghost after death, just like Yoda. Although he didn’t complete the training before dying, he still managed to return as a Force Ghost, making the unfinished training irrelevant.
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2026-02-03 02:11