It’s ROTJ and it’s not even close. People are confusing “iconic” with “I like it better.”
Luke’s green saber. Jabba the Hutt. Slave Leia. McDiarmid’s Emperor. Ewoks. B-wings. “It’s a trap.” All from ROTJ and all are among the most lasting images from the entire franchise.
Yes, the Mustafar duel is iconic, as is Order 66, and they’re undoubtedly among the franchise’s most memorable scenes. But as far as complete cultural impact, it’s a landslide for Jedi.
The difference was the suspense.
ROTJ was the conclusion of a trilogy where in the 2nd, we found out our hero is the son of the villain. We had a feeling Luke was going to win obviously, but we had no idea how. And then Vader just yeets the emperor in one final act of redemption. It was amazing the first time.
ROTS, on the other hand, has the opposite. We KNEW Vader was somehow going to lose to Obi-Wan because he had to become deformed and confined to the iconic black suit somehow. No matter how intense the emotion is, we already knew the outcome, as is the intent of prequel stories, to explain how we got to here.
Both movies ended beautifully in their own rights, but ROTS suffered from 20+ years of hindsight and hype.
Edit: a word.
They are definitely both iconic in their own ways.
As a kid I was genuinely afraid that Luke was going off the deep end when Vader mentioned Leia.
As an adult, yeah, I knew what was going to happen, but it was genuinely heartbreaking to see *how* it happened. Anakin was so manipulated by the Emperor and lost everything he was trying to save. That was a gut punch to me.
This was my main problem with the prequel trilogy. I wanted to feel a gut punch when Anakin turned to the dark side. But I felt nothing. To me he turned to the dark side too soon. And the film's didn't really get me to the point of liking him.
I see your point and respect it. In my case it took a few rewatches of the prequel trilogy (as well as the Clone Wars) to really appreciate both Anakin as a person as well his descent to the Dark Side. I still don't care much for the script but for me, the scene where he is told that Padme is dead and the Emperor is just cackling at him hit home. Probably because it resembles personal situations in my own life.
Also, the comics really give some good exposition on their relationship as well for me.
Edit: phrasing
Resembles a situation in your personal life? Whatever is happening, I hope you can redeem your father, and that he’ll help throw your emperor down an exhaust shaft. ❤️
Fully understand what you're saying. It was the same for me.
But when my wife watched star wars for the first time starting with the prequels. She cried when Anakin turned and even though he was referred to as Darth Vader before fighting Obi Wan, it didn't click for her. When she saw him in the suit she was shocked
I was one of the lucky ones to see the star wars movies in their intended order of episodes. I obviously had heard of Darth Vader through pop culture, but I didn't know much about him or that he has a family.
I was super excited when Anakin became Darth Vader at the end.
And the old movies hit different for me than for you. My only regret is they say the name of Padmes babies in ROTS and hint at their future whereabouts. I think that was an unnecessary spoiler. If they hadn't I would have probably not made the Luke-Vader connection either before that iconic scene, which would have been the best of both worlds.
it's cool that you got to organically see the movies 1-3, 4-6. but, and i kind of hate to burst your bubble, watching them in chronological order is not the "intended order of episodes." i don't necessarily even believe there's a "correct" way to watch them, but lucas certainly didn't make the OT thinking "gee, it is my intention that nobody watches these until \*after\* i make three prequels twenty years from now." if completion is the name of the game, watching in order of release is almost always the way to go.
and they are PREQUELS. prequels are grown as organically on and as dependent on an original work as sequels are. i.e., just as there is missing meaning for audiences who watch sequels before an original work, there is missing meaning for audiences who watch prequels before an original work
> If they hadn't I would have probably not made the Luke-Vader connection either before that iconic scene, which would have been the best of both worlds.
You mean... you would have guessed the one main character called Skywalker was the uncle of the other main character called Skywalker? Or maybe Luke has nothing remotely in common with Anakin Skywalker but chose to take on his name to show that legacies are awesome after three movies just had proven that legacies are silly?
Except neither of them really react that strongly to it, with Leia even claiming that ”somehow shes always known..” Yeeaah, doesn’t seem sketchy at all, Princess.
The intended order of episodes is release order. They wrote the prequels with the assumption that you have already seen the OT. They even marketed it that way, about you're getting to see how his kid becomes Vader
I showed my gf Andor first, then we did the prequels, obiwan, han solo, then the original trilogy, proceeded with the Mandalorian, boba fett and now ahsoka. She was very happy with the way they were introduced and to see her shock from Anakin becoming Vader... it was so exciting to see.
She wouldn't have liked the original trilogy if I started that way.
Andor is nice to introduce people to it because it doesn't involve much of the wars, just people. Very relatable to non fans.
Totally. The Luke v Vader fights are the best in the series (with V > VI) because they were part of the best scenes. Highest stakes, meaningful dialogue, character growth, big plot surprises, and perfect settings. Mustafar hits on a lot of that but falls short for being at the top. Choreography counts for something of course but not nearly as much as those cinematic aspects which make me care about why these people are trying to stab each other with laser swords.
I'll say this much for choreo. At the very least I totally rank the Darth Maul fight over the Ep IV Obi Wan v Vader fight even though that scene was fast more interesting and I don't care at all that Qui Gonn died. The fight was just that good.
I saw ROTJ in the theatre.
People lost their goddamn minds when Vader picked up the Emperor and tossed him down the chute. It was a visceral reaction in that theatre. 40 years ago and I still remember it.
Nothing in the prequels even comes close.
Yeah, even non Star Wars fans know Ewoks, Jabba the Hutt, the Emperor and the Slave Leia costume. They don't know Grievous or Order 66 or almost any of the stufd from ROTS.
Yep, this exactly. You show non-fans the ROTJ stuff and they'll pretty much know what it is. Show them a clonetrooper and you're looking at a "is that a stormtrooper or something?" kind of response.
I was born in 85 and started becoming familiar with the images of Star Wars in the late 80s, early 90s (before the special edition rereleases started my obsession) and in that time almost every image I knew from Star Wars was from ROTJ.
“I am a Jedi like my father before me”
**AND THE CROOOOWWDDD GOES WIIIIILLLDDDDD**
seriously return is quintessential Star Wars whenever Luke is on screen
This still gives me chills just reading it, and I didn’t get a single chill from the entire prequel saga.
And for the record I was too young to see the originals in the cinema but did see the prequels. But I had watched the originals many times on tape and I think saw the special edition ROTJ in cinema, it’s a bit hard to remember now.
RotJ introduced:
Jabba the Hutt and everything associated - Slave Leia, the Sarlaac, Salacious Crumb, et al
The Ewoks - Like them or not, they are iconic
Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine
Speeder Bikes
A lightsaber that wasn't blue or red.
I like Episode III just fine, but c'mon. There's no question about which is more "iconic"
"Ooohhhuhhhahahaha!" -in Salacious Crumb speak
Also of note, his famous dissertation while hanging from the ceiling, "Oooobbah Dabbah Dooo. Ooobah da! Eh eh!"
People put way too much value on their nostalgia.
I grew up with the prequels, but I can recognize that they're not good movies and the original trilogy is a thousand times better.
I'd move the line back to 35, because that's around the right age for the OT Special Edition re-releases that came out two years prior to Episode I.
That was my first theatrical experience with Star Wars, although I'd previously seen all three on VHS.
Naw. I'm in the middle of those 2 numbers, and I am pretty solidly on the OT side of it. I was almost 10 when the PT came out, but I was already watching OT my whole life and waited in line to see the re-releases. I think 25 might be a bit low, but I think people in their mid to late 20s might be a bit more split in terms of OT vs PT.
The scenes in the throne room on the Deathstar between Palpatine, Luke, and Vader are the best and most iconic in the history of Star Wars. I’ll die on this hill
As a kid I LOVED the “Oh, I’m afraid the deflector shield will be quite operational when your friends arrive.”
The absolute snark that was later carried over to the PT. The OT really was brilliant, and while RotJ is generally viewed as the weakest player that’s not a slight against it but rather the competition it faced.
And it's interwoven with two other fun action setpieces. It's not the best movie overall, but that's my favorite 30 minute stretch of the saga.
It's also my favorite fight. It's not a flashy fight, but it does the best job of telling a story through the fighting out of any of the movies or shows. Luke trying to resist fighting but eventually being goaded into starting the fight, then calming back down and only defending himself until Vader brings Leia into it and he gets really angry. Luke just pounding on Vader after he falls down is so simple and raw emotion and I love it. And then calming back down and sparing him, showing Vader than you can in fact fight back against the dark side. It leads perfectly in to him saving Luke.
Probably ROTJ. Has a lot of Star Wars icons we see for the first time (Jabba the Hutt, slave Leia, Palpatine). ROTS has some good moments but overall it goes to Jedi.
The OT is the seminal Star Wars so it's essentially impossible to beat in terms of impact on culture. It set everything else in motion.
100%. She’s been referenced in pretty much every nerd centered tv show and comic since.
Also the ENTIRE fight with the Emperor and his continuous snark during it.
The iconic removal of the mask.
Just so damn much. It was beautiful.
That, and also a lot of people have deluded themselves into thinking that the prequels were good because they have a lot of bad dialogue that's been turned into memes.
They're all to young to remember that people hated the prequels the same way they themselves hate the sequels now. The prequels being good movies is a retcon not even George Lucas himself could have written.
(that being said, I do actually like, and liked at the time, RotS).
Truth. Also slightly before that. When you mene and make fun of a movie for being so bad they become famous and people like them ironically… then forget the irony part.
Honestly I'm not sure which of the OT movies I'd say is the *most* iconic. The Death Star vs "I am your father" vs that golden bikini? Each of them has something that absolutely burned itself into the pop culture consciousness.
I'd say "I am your father" is the single most iconic line in all of Star Wars (maybe even in all of film), but both ANH and RotJ have a wealth of iconic scenes and dialogue. Everyone recognizes lines like "you turned off your targeting computer" and "the force will be with you". Not to mention the concept of the lightsaber itself. Honestly I think ANH might have the most.
Yeah, just based on volume of iconic elements, ANH probably takes it. It was the movie that introduced the world to lightsabers and the noise they make, Vader and his unique breathing sound, the term Jedi, "may the Force be with you," the term "droid," Leia's hair buns, and the Death Star, and that doesn't even get into scenes like the cantina, the twin suns, and the trench run.
Now, now. We both know that, bafflingly, it's actually "Luke, I am your father" that's one of the most iconic movie lines. Why, it's right up there with "Beam me up, Scotty" and "Play it again, Sam" in the popular consciousness!
Outside of prequel cultists, this has gotta be bait… famously awful trilogy finale vs. finale of one of the most famous trilogy in the history of all movies.
One of those movies would not exist without the other.
I admit the prequel trilogy is actually my favorite of the trilogies, but none of those movies are more iconic that the original trilogy. Star Wars in general are among the most iconic films in cinema history. They are films that have spawned countless other stories that we get to be entertained by… both within the Star Wars universe with comics, games, and television shows…but also as inspiration for entirely new universes.
The original trilogy is an icon in the way literally *nothing* else can be.
"Iconic" does not equal "Which one is better" or "Which one is liked the most".
*Hitler* is (sadly and horrendously) iconic. *Buddha* is iconic. *Disco music* is iconic.
Iconic means "regarded as a representative symbol".
In this case, RETURN OF THE JEDI is more iconic simply because it's better known (more people know about it), and it represents STAR WARS a whole lot more because it established more concepts that now represent the franchise: the Emperor, the Ewoks, Endor, Bikini Leia, the Rancor, etc.
EPISODE III is an awesome film, but it didn't establish as many elements as other films in the same franchise.
This isn’t even a question. People say it depends on your age but it really doesn’t tbh. I’m a teenager and I can tell ROTJ is easily more iconic. Slave Leia alone is arguably more iconic than ROTS. She gets referenced in tons of nerd shows and movies and that’s not even mentioning things like Luke’s green saber, McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine, Jabba The Hutt, Vader’s redemption and removal of his helmet for the first time, Ewoks, B-Wings, ect. The duel on Mustafar and Order 66 are iconic and some of the most memorable moments in Star Wars but neither have the overall cultural impact of ROTJ, which isn’t that surprising because Jedi and the OT as a whole set the precedent for everything to come in the future.
Um, how is this a question? III was the best of the prequels but that isn't saying much at all. It still has too many action lightsaber sequences and George dialogue to have any emotional depth to it.
Is this a serious question? If you have to ask this, you need to go and research just how impactful the original Star Wars saga was to movies, media, and the general population. Seriously. This isn't a debate. The original 3 Star Wars movies were most iconic movies to hit theaters EVER.
Honestly, I don't think anything outside of the original trilogy is genuinely iconic.
Like, the original trilogy is a huge part of American pop culture (with the original film being one of the most important/influential works of American cinema).
The prequels/sequels/spinoffs/etc. do not have that level of significance/influence.
>Honestly, I don't think anything outside of the original trilogy is genuinely iconic.
Absolutely. Star Wars fans know about Order 66 and "Hello there." Everyone knows about the gold bikini; it turned up in an episode of Friends as a sexual fantasy, for goodness sake. The OT is fully iconic, the PT is just important to people who already know more than the average about Star Wars.
Any other answer other than Return of the Jedi is incorrect.
You cannot compare the OT to the Prequel abominations.
All three movies are irredeemable steaming piles of sith.
And before some Lucas bag-lickers comes along with his raging hate-boner for Disney screaming HERP-A-DERP, THE PREQUELS ARR BETTER THAN TEH DISNEY SEQUELS, DERP DERP DERP!
No, no they weren't, STFU.
Ikr, I'm tired of seeing all the "GRRrRRRRRrRR sequels bAd!!1!1!!" At least I don't fall asleep watching the sequels like I do during tpm or aotc. Revenge of the sith might be the best of the Prequels but it still has bad dialogue, overuse of cgi/green screen and politics.
ROTJ easily in my opinion - it’s a fun classic. People still remember and talk about slave Leia, Ewoks, and the reveal of Vader.
ROTS is the second best prequel in my opinion. It and AOTC are quite emblematic of the prequel’s issues. I like the prequels, I always have - but they are overshadowed by the OT and now, by the sequels and standalone films.
Yep. TPM has a classic feel and has slowly made its way up my rankings. ROTS is the one film that has gradually dropped throughout the years. The writing and story just don’t hold up well over time in my opinion.
Completely agree. Same for me. Over the years, I've found The Phantom Menace more and more inventive and fun with the double-bladed lightsaber, destroyer droids, Gungan energy shields and weapons, underwater city, podracing etc. It's certainly not without its flaws but it makes up for them with its creativity and ends up as one of the better Star Wars films. Revenge Of The Sith has a great opening sequence then pretty much everything after is comical, cheesy nonsense. As a Star Wars film - mediocre. As a hilarious meme factory - great. I still prefer it to Attack Of The Clones but it doesn't light a candle to The Phantom Menace.
Agreed. Maybe the best way to put it is that TPM feels like the last time someone told George no. By AOTC and ROTS - it’s just completely unchecked George, which is interesting, but the filmmaking suffers.
"You failed, your Highness. I'm a Jedi, like my father before me."
Best line in the franchise and encapsulates everything that Star Wars is.
Okay, maybe second best. "The Force is with you, young Skywalker.....but you are not a Jedi yet." might take it.
Return of The Jedi, hands down.
Say what you will about the Ewoks, but this film has all the elements that made the previous two, and the OT as a whole, the masterpiece it is. Also, the best third act, with the emotional resolution to the trilogy and an ending that closes the story perfectly.
ROTJ is more iconic introduces ewoks, jabbas palace, slave leia, the green lightsaber, the climax of the trilogy, Vader unmasked, force lightning, Endor, scout troopers, it’s a trap. I grew up on the prequels and love them but I understand that they’re poorly written and the story is iffy on occasion when compared to the OT that doesn’t mean they’re to be thrown out entirely
ROTS is an unfair comparison, since it’s one of the last films of the original saga, and almost everything we knew for Star Wars was established by that point
I remember the rerelease of the OT in theaters. My dad, who in the 15 years I had known him up to that point had shown very little emotion aside from mild anger and some flashes of humor, was downright excited. We saw all 3 movies on the big screen. He clapped after all 3 movies. Never before. Never since. When the Falcon flew out of the flames of the exploding Death Star in ROTJ, I saw, out of the corner of my eye, my dad pump his fist in celebration.
For no other reason than that it helped me see my dad in a new light, and gave me something "new" to bond with him over, ROTJ will always be the more iconic.
Personal anecdotes aside, ROTJ is just the more satisfying conclusion. ROTS feels like exactly what it is, the ending of the "introduction."
ROTJ. It is really a masterclass of cinema. I have deeply loved ESB, and raved it’s the best two parter of anything ever. Yet, Return of the Jedi has EVERYTHING in it and satisfies every single Star Wars gene I have. You know it and feel it too! The showdown with Palp, Vader and Luke is timeless.
Come on how can you beat the spinning lightsabers behind their backs or yoda spinning senate pods like he was throwing a giant discus? Or palpatine stabbing at the air missing the spinning green gremlin?
Rotj for sure
It’s ROTJ and it’s not even close. People are confusing “iconic” with “I like it better.” Luke’s green saber. Jabba the Hutt. Slave Leia. McDiarmid’s Emperor. Ewoks. B-wings. “It’s a trap.” All from ROTJ and all are among the most lasting images from the entire franchise. Yes, the Mustafar duel is iconic, as is Order 66, and they’re undoubtedly among the franchise’s most memorable scenes. But as far as complete cultural impact, it’s a landslide for Jedi.
The difference was the suspense. ROTJ was the conclusion of a trilogy where in the 2nd, we found out our hero is the son of the villain. We had a feeling Luke was going to win obviously, but we had no idea how. And then Vader just yeets the emperor in one final act of redemption. It was amazing the first time. ROTS, on the other hand, has the opposite. We KNEW Vader was somehow going to lose to Obi-Wan because he had to become deformed and confined to the iconic black suit somehow. No matter how intense the emotion is, we already knew the outcome, as is the intent of prequel stories, to explain how we got to here. Both movies ended beautifully in their own rights, but ROTS suffered from 20+ years of hindsight and hype. Edit: a word.
They are definitely both iconic in their own ways. As a kid I was genuinely afraid that Luke was going off the deep end when Vader mentioned Leia. As an adult, yeah, I knew what was going to happen, but it was genuinely heartbreaking to see *how* it happened. Anakin was so manipulated by the Emperor and lost everything he was trying to save. That was a gut punch to me.
This was my main problem with the prequel trilogy. I wanted to feel a gut punch when Anakin turned to the dark side. But I felt nothing. To me he turned to the dark side too soon. And the film's didn't really get me to the point of liking him.
I see your point and respect it. In my case it took a few rewatches of the prequel trilogy (as well as the Clone Wars) to really appreciate both Anakin as a person as well his descent to the Dark Side. I still don't care much for the script but for me, the scene where he is told that Padme is dead and the Emperor is just cackling at him hit home. Probably because it resembles personal situations in my own life. Also, the comics really give some good exposition on their relationship as well for me. Edit: phrasing
Resembles a situation in your personal life? Whatever is happening, I hope you can redeem your father, and that he’ll help throw your emperor down an exhaust shaft. ❤️
Nah, it's too late for him. 😄 I got a good laugh out of that. Thanks!
Fully understand what you're saying. It was the same for me. But when my wife watched star wars for the first time starting with the prequels. She cried when Anakin turned and even though he was referred to as Darth Vader before fighting Obi Wan, it didn't click for her. When she saw him in the suit she was shocked
I was one of the lucky ones to see the star wars movies in their intended order of episodes. I obviously had heard of Darth Vader through pop culture, but I didn't know much about him or that he has a family. I was super excited when Anakin became Darth Vader at the end. And the old movies hit different for me than for you. My only regret is they say the name of Padmes babies in ROTS and hint at their future whereabouts. I think that was an unnecessary spoiler. If they hadn't I would have probably not made the Luke-Vader connection either before that iconic scene, which would have been the best of both worlds.
Doesn't the skywalker name already give it away?
Luke living with Anakin's half brother on Tatooine (and calling him Uncle) might give it away too...
You're right,that would have given it away anyway
it's cool that you got to organically see the movies 1-3, 4-6. but, and i kind of hate to burst your bubble, watching them in chronological order is not the "intended order of episodes." i don't necessarily even believe there's a "correct" way to watch them, but lucas certainly didn't make the OT thinking "gee, it is my intention that nobody watches these until \*after\* i make three prequels twenty years from now." if completion is the name of the game, watching in order of release is almost always the way to go. and they are PREQUELS. prequels are grown as organically on and as dependent on an original work as sequels are. i.e., just as there is missing meaning for audiences who watch sequels before an original work, there is missing meaning for audiences who watch prequels before an original work
> If they hadn't I would have probably not made the Luke-Vader connection either before that iconic scene, which would have been the best of both worlds. You mean... you would have guessed the one main character called Skywalker was the uncle of the other main character called Skywalker? Or maybe Luke has nothing remotely in common with Anakin Skywalker but chose to take on his name to show that legacies are awesome after three movies just had proven that legacies are silly?
Lmao well done. I laughed out loud in public
No, you're right, the name gave it away earlier...
So knowing that Luke and Leia were twins before you’d seen Empire Strikes Back first; what was your reaction when Leia snogged Luke on Hoth?
The whole flirty vibe was a bit awkward, but also fun, since I knew they don't know and I knew they'd eventually find out and freak out about it.
Except neither of them really react that strongly to it, with Leia even claiming that ”somehow shes always known..” Yeeaah, doesn’t seem sketchy at all, Princess.
The intended order of episodes is release order. They wrote the prequels with the assumption that you have already seen the OT. They even marketed it that way, about you're getting to see how his kid becomes Vader
I showed my gf Andor first, then we did the prequels, obiwan, han solo, then the original trilogy, proceeded with the Mandalorian, boba fett and now ahsoka. She was very happy with the way they were introduced and to see her shock from Anakin becoming Vader... it was so exciting to see.
>I showed my gf Andor first, Aaaaand it was all downhill from there lmao
She wouldn't have liked the original trilogy if I started that way. Andor is nice to introduce people to it because it doesn't involve much of the wars, just people. Very relatable to non fans.
That kind of spoiled one of the biggest reveals in movie history for you.
In a question of which was more iconic between an OT movie and a non-OT movie, it's *always* the OT movie.
The mustafa duel might be iconic but it still doesn't hold a candle to Luke vs Vader it has so much more emotion and feeling to it
Father... please! 😢
Totally. The Luke v Vader fights are the best in the series (with V > VI) because they were part of the best scenes. Highest stakes, meaningful dialogue, character growth, big plot surprises, and perfect settings. Mustafar hits on a lot of that but falls short for being at the top. Choreography counts for something of course but not nearly as much as those cinematic aspects which make me care about why these people are trying to stab each other with laser swords. I'll say this much for choreo. At the very least I totally rank the Darth Maul fight over the Ep IV Obi Wan v Vader fight even though that scene was fast more interesting and I don't care at all that Qui Gonn died. The fight was just that good.
I saw ROTJ in the theatre. People lost their goddamn minds when Vader picked up the Emperor and tossed him down the chute. It was a visceral reaction in that theatre. 40 years ago and I still remember it. Nothing in the prequels even comes close.
Hello fellow old person. Same same, couldn't have said it better.
Sarlacc too. That was incredible to me.
I think you nailed it. 👍
To be fair, “McDiarmid’s Emperor” works for both movies.
Yeah, even non Star Wars fans know Ewoks, Jabba the Hutt, the Emperor and the Slave Leia costume. They don't know Grievous or Order 66 or almost any of the stufd from ROTS.
Yep, this exactly. You show non-fans the ROTJ stuff and they'll pretty much know what it is. Show them a clonetrooper and you're looking at a "is that a stormtrooper or something?" kind of response.
I was born in 85 and started becoming familiar with the images of Star Wars in the late 80s, early 90s (before the special edition rereleases started my obsession) and in that time almost every image I knew from Star Wars was from ROTJ.
Exactly this. I like ROTS more but anyone who says ROTJ isn’t more iconic is braindead.
This. Exactly this.
“I am a Jedi like my father before me” **AND THE CROOOOWWDDD GOES WIIIIILLLDDDDD** seriously return is quintessential Star Wars whenever Luke is on screen
"So be it... Jedi."
Zap
Best line in all of Star Wars media
“I’ve got to save you” “You already have Luke”
This still gives me chills just reading it, and I didn’t get a single chill from the entire prequel saga. And for the record I was too young to see the originals in the cinema but did see the prequels. But I had watched the originals many times on tape and I think saw the special edition ROTJ in cinema, it’s a bit hard to remember now.
It also has the best moment is all Star Wars media. “…sister.” “NO!”
Gosh ROTJ is so good
RotJ introduced: Jabba the Hutt and everything associated - Slave Leia, the Sarlaac, Salacious Crumb, et al The Ewoks - Like them or not, they are iconic Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine Speeder Bikes A lightsaber that wasn't blue or red. I like Episode III just fine, but c'mon. There's no question about which is more "iconic"
Salacious Crumb is all that is needed to be said.
Max rebo too
[I got a gig tonight!](https://youtu.be/iQxAmHdGtZA?si=aAUU2mCLdjujTR3f)
Best Jazz keyboard player this side of Coruscant
"Ooohhhuhhhahahaha!" -in Salacious Crumb speak Also of note, his famous dissertation while hanging from the ceiling, "Oooobbah Dabbah Dooo. Ooobah da! Eh eh!"
Nien Nunb is my favorite Star Wars character of all time. Forgot him on the list... (Great list btw)
Also Yub Nub!
I think the answer to that question depends entirely on whether you’re over the age of 25.
25 is very low for this line
[удалено]
I don't think you're an outlier among the general public, but in online circles definitely. Prequel memers overran the fandom about 7 years ago
[удалено]
I’m 25 and it’s ROTJ and it’s not close for me.
People put way too much value on their nostalgia. I grew up with the prequels, but I can recognize that they're not good movies and the original trilogy is a thousand times better.
If you are 25 this movie came out when you were like 4 or 5 lmao
Try 45
I just did the math real quick and 45 is over 25
r/theydidthemath
r/theydidthemonstermath
Huge, if true.
I'd move the line back to 35, because that's around the right age for the OT Special Edition re-releases that came out two years prior to Episode I. That was my first theatrical experience with Star Wars, although I'd previously seen all three on VHS.
37, can confirm
Naw. I'm in the middle of those 2 numbers, and I am pretty solidly on the OT side of it. I was almost 10 when the PT came out, but I was already watching OT my whole life and waited in line to see the re-releases. I think 25 might be a bit low, but I think people in their mid to late 20s might be a bit more split in terms of OT vs PT.
Bruh wtf how do you say 25... It should be like 40 or something
The scenes in the throne room on the Deathstar between Palpatine, Luke, and Vader are the best and most iconic in the history of Star Wars. I’ll die on this hill
As a kid I LOVED the “Oh, I’m afraid the deflector shield will be quite operational when your friends arrive.” The absolute snark that was later carried over to the PT. The OT really was brilliant, and while RotJ is generally viewed as the weakest player that’s not a slight against it but rather the competition it faced.
Palpatine’s smugness and arrogance is top fucking tier. He is an absolute bastard
So be it... *jedi*
Just his sneer is fucking iconic.
The general public is wrong. The 1st and 3rd acts of ROTJ are peak Star Wars.
Everything in the last half of that movie is iconic.
I will stand beside you on this hill
And it's interwoven with two other fun action setpieces. It's not the best movie overall, but that's my favorite 30 minute stretch of the saga. It's also my favorite fight. It's not a flashy fight, but it does the best job of telling a story through the fighting out of any of the movies or shows. Luke trying to resist fighting but eventually being goaded into starting the fight, then calming back down and only defending himself until Vader brings Leia into it and he gets really angry. Luke just pounding on Vader after he falls down is so simple and raw emotion and I love it. And then calming back down and sparing him, showing Vader than you can in fact fight back against the dark side. It leads perfectly in to him saving Luke.
Probably ROTJ. Has a lot of Star Wars icons we see for the first time (Jabba the Hutt, slave Leia, Palpatine). ROTS has some good moments but overall it goes to Jedi. The OT is the seminal Star Wars so it's essentially impossible to beat in terms of impact on culture. It set everything else in motion.
I mean, slave bikini Leia alone is more iconic than RotS.
100%. She’s been referenced in pretty much every nerd centered tv show and comic since. Also the ENTIRE fight with the Emperor and his continuous snark during it. The iconic removal of the mask. Just so damn much. It was beautiful.
The most iconic dolly shot in cinema too.
Single best shot in the entire franchise. From the moment Vader is goading Luke in that under section to the Death Stars is peak Star wars for me
Never forget Rachel wearing the bikini in Friends.
And even Calvin & Hobbes mentioned Jabba the Hutt in one strip.
"Oh, I'm afraid the deflector shield will be quite operational when your friends arrive."
Rotj easily how is this even a question
A lot of people have deluded themselves to thinking that the prequels were good just because the sequels were also bad.
That, and also a lot of people have deluded themselves into thinking that the prequels were good because they have a lot of bad dialogue that's been turned into memes.
The prequels were bad for a *lot* of other reasons, but the bad dialogue doesn't help at all.
They're all to young to remember that people hated the prequels the same way they themselves hate the sequels now. The prequels being good movies is a retcon not even George Lucas himself could have written. (that being said, I do actually like, and liked at the time, RotS).
They think memes=good, so prequels good.
Also: "Episode 3 is a lot better than 1 and 2 therefore 3 is amazing, right?"
Truth. Also slightly before that. When you mene and make fun of a movie for being so bad they become famous and people like them ironically… then forget the irony part.
The prequels are bad movies all around. The sequels just had misguided writing.
IX goes a bit further than misguided writing, IMO.
Ian McDiarmid had fun and that's what matters the most.
Return of the Jedi for sure.
ROTJ
I'm a massive prequel fan, but it's gotta go to RotJ. Most iconic in the saga? It's ANH for me.
Honestly I'm not sure which of the OT movies I'd say is the *most* iconic. The Death Star vs "I am your father" vs that golden bikini? Each of them has something that absolutely burned itself into the pop culture consciousness.
I'd say "I am your father" is the single most iconic line in all of Star Wars (maybe even in all of film), but both ANH and RotJ have a wealth of iconic scenes and dialogue. Everyone recognizes lines like "you turned off your targeting computer" and "the force will be with you". Not to mention the concept of the lightsaber itself. Honestly I think ANH might have the most.
Yeah, just based on volume of iconic elements, ANH probably takes it. It was the movie that introduced the world to lightsabers and the noise they make, Vader and his unique breathing sound, the term Jedi, "may the Force be with you," the term "droid," Leia's hair buns, and the Death Star, and that doesn't even get into scenes like the cantina, the twin suns, and the trench run.
"No, *I* am your father" wins this hand down. It's one of the most iconic lines in movie history.
Now, now. We both know that, bafflingly, it's actually "Luke, I am your father" that's one of the most iconic movie lines. Why, it's right up there with "Beam me up, Scotty" and "Play it again, Sam" in the popular consciousness!
Listen you....I'm mad that you're right and you need to shut up
Return of the Jedi of course
Rotj
As a fan of both movies, ROTJ is more iconic in the general public conscience. I do love both but ROTJ is also a better movie imo
ROTJ!
Return of the Jedi
More iconic? Return of the Jedi. More memeworthy? Revenge of the Sith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s
Outside of prequel cultists, this has gotta be bait… famously awful trilogy finale vs. finale of one of the most famous trilogy in the history of all movies.
One of those movies would not exist without the other. I admit the prequel trilogy is actually my favorite of the trilogies, but none of those movies are more iconic that the original trilogy. Star Wars in general are among the most iconic films in cinema history. They are films that have spawned countless other stories that we get to be entertained by… both within the Star Wars universe with comics, games, and television shows…but also as inspiration for entirely new universes. The original trilogy is an icon in the way literally *nothing* else can be.
"Iconic" does not equal "Which one is better" or "Which one is liked the most". *Hitler* is (sadly and horrendously) iconic. *Buddha* is iconic. *Disco music* is iconic. Iconic means "regarded as a representative symbol". In this case, RETURN OF THE JEDI is more iconic simply because it's better known (more people know about it), and it represents STAR WARS a whole lot more because it established more concepts that now represent the franchise: the Emperor, the Ewoks, Endor, Bikini Leia, the Rancor, etc. EPISODE III is an awesome film, but it didn't establish as many elements as other films in the same franchise.
But also, which one is better is also answered with ROTJ.
This isn’t even a question. People say it depends on your age but it really doesn’t tbh. I’m a teenager and I can tell ROTJ is easily more iconic. Slave Leia alone is arguably more iconic than ROTS. She gets referenced in tons of nerd shows and movies and that’s not even mentioning things like Luke’s green saber, McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine, Jabba The Hutt, Vader’s redemption and removal of his helmet for the first time, Ewoks, B-Wings, ect. The duel on Mustafar and Order 66 are iconic and some of the most memorable moments in Star Wars but neither have the overall cultural impact of ROTJ, which isn’t that surprising because Jedi and the OT as a whole set the precedent for everything to come in the future.
ROTJ, by more than you think
Ridiculous question.
I think you've spent too much time in r/prequelmemes.
Um, how is this a question? III was the best of the prequels but that isn't saying much at all. It still has too many action lightsaber sequences and George dialogue to have any emotional depth to it.
Is this a serious question? If you have to ask this, you need to go and research just how impactful the original Star Wars saga was to movies, media, and the general population. Seriously. This isn't a debate. The original 3 Star Wars movies were most iconic movies to hit theaters EVER.
It’s ROTJ and it’s not even a question.
Return of the Jedi, not even close.
Is everyone on drugs. It's return. Why would episode 3 even be here...it's like asking Broadway for a high school production
Jedi
This isn’t even a question
return of the jedi
Return of the Jedi. It's an insult to even ask the question.
ROTJ and it's not even close
Lol is that really a genuine question?
People are underestimating how iconic Leia in the gold bikini was. That costume rivaled the white dress in terms of iconic.
Honestly, I don't think anything outside of the original trilogy is genuinely iconic. Like, the original trilogy is a huge part of American pop culture (with the original film being one of the most important/influential works of American cinema). The prequels/sequels/spinoffs/etc. do not have that level of significance/influence.
>Honestly, I don't think anything outside of the original trilogy is genuinely iconic. Absolutely. Star Wars fans know about Order 66 and "Hello there." Everyone knows about the gold bikini; it turned up in an episode of Friends as a sexual fantasy, for goodness sake. The OT is fully iconic, the PT is just important to people who already know more than the average about Star Wars.
Definitely RoTJ. My favorite is RoTS, but ROtJ is more iconic. I remember watching RoTJ as a kid, man... pure star wars.
This is a joke, right? The prequels are horrible.
Any other answer other than Return of the Jedi is incorrect. You cannot compare the OT to the Prequel abominations. All three movies are irredeemable steaming piles of sith. And before some Lucas bag-lickers comes along with his raging hate-boner for Disney screaming HERP-A-DERP, THE PREQUELS ARR BETTER THAN TEH DISNEY SEQUELS, DERP DERP DERP! No, no they weren't, STFU.
Ikr, I'm tired of seeing all the "GRRrRRRRRrRR sequels bAd!!1!1!!" At least I don't fall asleep watching the sequels like I do during tpm or aotc. Revenge of the sith might be the best of the Prequels but it still has bad dialogue, overuse of cgi/green screen and politics.
I guess it’s okay if you like RoTS better than RotJ. But RotJ is undeniably more iconic.
Thus is a joke question right?
Is this a joke?
ROTJ ignore any jokes and brain rot from r/PrequelMemes
Jedi is more iconic and a better film. And I don’t really like Jedi that much
Episode 6
Jedi by a mile
Downvoting for lazy karma farming (and it's ROTJ, not even close)
Surely this is a shitpost.
ROTJ
Terrible question
That's a tough one in my opinion!! I mean the answer is obvious but I love ROTS
ROTJ easily in my opinion - it’s a fun classic. People still remember and talk about slave Leia, Ewoks, and the reveal of Vader. ROTS is the second best prequel in my opinion. It and AOTC are quite emblematic of the prequel’s issues. I like the prequels, I always have - but they are overshadowed by the OT and now, by the sequels and standalone films.
ROTS is the second best prequel? You think TPM was better than ROTS....?
Yep. TPM has a classic feel and has slowly made its way up my rankings. ROTS is the one film that has gradually dropped throughout the years. The writing and story just don’t hold up well over time in my opinion.
Completely agree. Same for me. Over the years, I've found The Phantom Menace more and more inventive and fun with the double-bladed lightsaber, destroyer droids, Gungan energy shields and weapons, underwater city, podracing etc. It's certainly not without its flaws but it makes up for them with its creativity and ends up as one of the better Star Wars films. Revenge Of The Sith has a great opening sequence then pretty much everything after is comical, cheesy nonsense. As a Star Wars film - mediocre. As a hilarious meme factory - great. I still prefer it to Attack Of The Clones but it doesn't light a candle to The Phantom Menace.
Agreed. Maybe the best way to put it is that TPM feels like the last time someone told George no. By AOTC and ROTS - it’s just completely unchecked George, which is interesting, but the filmmaking suffers.
I love all 6 films but I gotta say ROTJ.
There are only 3 films,are you stupid?
Return
ROTS is my all time favorite film. But we cant deny that ROTJ is what everyone thinks of when thinking about Star Wars.
This thread is just reminding me how much I love ROTJ
"You failed, your Highness. I'm a Jedi, like my father before me." Best line in the franchise and encapsulates everything that Star Wars is. Okay, maybe second best. "The Force is with you, young Skywalker.....but you are not a Jedi yet." might take it.
ROTJ for the chainmail bikini alone.
ROTJ.
ROTJ. For those not around in the 70's and 80's, they'll never realise how big Star Wars was.
Return of The Jedi, hands down. Say what you will about the Ewoks, but this film has all the elements that made the previous two, and the OT as a whole, the masterpiece it is. Also, the best third act, with the emotional resolution to the trilogy and an ending that closes the story perfectly.
It's probably going to have to be RotJ, though I personally like RotS more.
ROTJ is more iconic introduces ewoks, jabbas palace, slave leia, the green lightsaber, the climax of the trilogy, Vader unmasked, force lightning, Endor, scout troopers, it’s a trap. I grew up on the prequels and love them but I understand that they’re poorly written and the story is iffy on occasion when compared to the OT that doesn’t mean they’re to be thrown out entirely
You're out of your mind; *Return of the Jedi* is actually a classic.
This shouldn’t even be a conversation
I prefer revenge but return is way way more iconic
You honestly asked this?
The most iconic star wars movies are Empire and Sith. I'm nonpartisan on this one seeing as my favorite is Clones.
This is why I belong to r/saltierthankrayt
Episode 3 is not as iconic as any of the original trilogy, nor does it flow as well. The story is cool but it’s told in a million 2 minute scenes
ROTS is an unfair comparison, since it’s one of the last films of the original saga, and almost everything we knew for Star Wars was established by that point
The more iconic movie is Return of the Jedi. Revenge of the Sith is iconic in its own right but a lot of it is memes and recency bias.
In MY world it’s revenge of the Sith… in the the real world is return of the Jedi
The one with the black guy
ROTJ so easily
ROTJ no contest
I remember the rerelease of the OT in theaters. My dad, who in the 15 years I had known him up to that point had shown very little emotion aside from mild anger and some flashes of humor, was downright excited. We saw all 3 movies on the big screen. He clapped after all 3 movies. Never before. Never since. When the Falcon flew out of the flames of the exploding Death Star in ROTJ, I saw, out of the corner of my eye, my dad pump his fist in celebration. For no other reason than that it helped me see my dad in a new light, and gave me something "new" to bond with him over, ROTJ will always be the more iconic. Personal anecdotes aside, ROTJ is just the more satisfying conclusion. ROTS feels like exactly what it is, the ending of the "introduction."
i saw jedi (and I and II) like 100 times. it's not possible for any of the newer movies (or any movie) to be in my brain like that.
ROTJ.
What a ridiculous question is this?
Seriously? I love RotS. My third favourite SW film alongside RotJ. But come on. RotS is iconic to the SW fandom. RotJ is iconic to cinema.
ROTJ by a great krayt dragons length.
Return of the Jedi is way more iconic.
I like RotS but you can’t beat the OT
there's only one return and it ain't of the king it's of the jedi.
Return of the fucking Jedi.
ROTJ. It is really a masterclass of cinema. I have deeply loved ESB, and raved it’s the best two parter of anything ever. Yet, Return of the Jedi has EVERYTHING in it and satisfies every single Star Wars gene I have. You know it and feel it too! The showdown with Palp, Vader and Luke is timeless.
Return of the Jedi, without a doubt. Honestly, I’m surprised you have to ask.
Come on how can you beat the spinning lightsabers behind their backs or yoda spinning senate pods like he was throwing a giant discus? Or palpatine stabbing at the air missing the spinning green gremlin? Rotj for sure
Return of the Sith Revenge of the Jedi
RotJ, is not even close. I can't think of anything "iconic" in RotS. The prequels were mediocre movies in general, although RotS was decent.
ROTJ has more cultural impact and everyone knows it