Top 10 Greatest Star Wars Monsters Ever
#10: Rathtar
“Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens” (2015) Hailing from the swampy planet Twon Ketee, these carnivorous cephalopods are best described by Han Solo: [broll: “big and dangerous and ugly.”] A grotesque, seething mass of tentacles and teeth, they’re actually distantly related to the Sarlacc. As seen when they stalk the corridors of the Eravana, they’re incredibly fast and dangerous - using their tentacles to whip forwards and to capture prey. In the comics, Darth Maul manages to take on several with just an axe, but we can’t say we’d recommend such a risky endeavour. They’re pack hunters, so when you find one, it likely won’t be alone!
#9: Brain Worm
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“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-20) Quite a few of the monsters in the Star Wars universe seem like they come straight out of a horror movie. One of the most disturbing is the brain worm, from the planet Geonosis. These parasites enter the bodies of potential hosts through the nose and take control of their minds. They’re even able to animate the dead. The Geonosian Queen Karina the Great tried to use them to take control of Anakin and Obi-Wan. While she failed, one worm DID later manage to possess Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee. Fortunately, they do have a weakness: the cold. No matter the temperature though, they’re bound to make you shiver.
#8: Acklay
“Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones” (2002) While they don’t look it, these ferocious crustaceans are actually amphibious, spending much of their time underwater. Using an organ under their chins, they can sense electrical energy, allowing them to locate and spear prey. A couple of them were taken from their native planet Vendaxa to Geonosis to be used as executioners in the Petranaki arena. They’re not the only terrifying monsters in the arena, where we also see the rhinoceros-like Reek and feline Nexu. Both make for formidable foes. But it’s the Acklay who really stands out - thanks to its six legs, grappling hands, and razor-sharp teeth.
#7: Ice Spiders
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“The Mandalorian” (2019-) Arachnophobes, we won’t blame you if you skip this one … As babies, these six-legged creepy crawlies are already terrifying enough, scuttling across the floor of their icy caverns on Maldo Kreis. But as adults, they’re in a new category entirely, aggressively territorial and with eight long legs to catch you with. Their heads actually dangle down from the middle of their bodies, ending in large round mouths full of teeth. They recall the Krykna on Atollon in “Star Wars Rebels”; both were based on the same Ralph McQuarrie concept art for a “knobby white spider”, originally intended for “The Empire Strikes Back”. However, it’s the Ice Spiders we’re still having nightmares about. You just can’t help yourself with the egg-eating, can you, Grogu?
#6: The Zillo Beast
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“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-20) We've seen some pretty giant monsters now, but this beast puts them to shame. From the forest planet Malastare, the semi-sentient, reptilian Zillo Beast is over 300 feet long and weighs 60,000 metric tons. Even so, in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, Palpatine somehow thought it was a good idea to bring one to Coruscant for study. The creature’s subsequent rampage is essentially Star Wars’ take on Godzilla and King Kong. While it was eventually killed, it left a trail of destruction in its wake. The Zillo Beast was so powerful it was revered as a god by the Benathy… up until Kylo Ren killed it.
#5: Gorog
“Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II” (2010) As we’re including Legends monsters here, there’s no way we could leave out this behemoth. Anything big enough to crush a Rancor in one hand is worthy enough to make this list. Players face off against this beast in the gladiatorial arena on Cato Neimoidia in “The Force Unleashed II” - and it’s no simple battle. The Gorog breaks free of its restraints and brings down the entire arena - which is suspended high up in the air. Again, giant monsters in precarious places - NOT a good idea! The whole arena crumbles and falls, as does the Gorog - but not before Starkiller drops right through it with lightsabers ignited.
#4: Wampa
“Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) If you ever find yourself upside down and facing a wampa on Hoth - hey, it could happen - it would be a good time to start panicking! Living in icy caves, wampa are carnivorous mammals who can weigh over 400 pounds! The white-furred bigfoot is a dangerous enemy even for a Force wielder. Granted, Luke wasn’t a fully trained Jedi at the time of his capture by the beast, but it’s still Luke Skywalker we’re talking about here. The Wampa is a hulking monster, somehow able to move quietly despite its stature. Its fur blends into the snowy backdrop, making it a dangerous hunter.
#3: Krayt Dragon
“The Mandalorian” (2019-) These reptiles from Tatooine will make any Tusken Raider run for their lives. They’re actually divided into two species, the Canyon Krayt Dragon and the even larger Greater Krayt Dragon. The former appeared in the video game Knights of the Old Republic. It was small potatoes though next to the Greater Krayt Dragon that reared its giant head in “The Mandalorian”. Not only can it swallow its prey whole, it can spew acidic venom and burrow into the sand. We’re not sure if the Dragon’s highly sought after pearl is worth all that trouble …
#2: Sarlacc
“Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi” (1983) The Sarlacc on Tatooine was once believed to have killed legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett. Thankfully, Boba Fett survived, but that perception helped solidify the Sarlacc’s status as one of Star Wars’ most terrifying monsters. Inhabiting the Great Pit of Carkoon in Tatooine’s Dune Sea, this creature was fed prisoners for Jabba the Hutt’s twisted amusement. Sarlaccs inject their victims with painful and paralyzing neurotoxins before slowly digesting them. Young Sarlaccs are actually relatively small and fast, but upon reaching maturity at 30,000 years old, they burrow down one hundred meters into the sand and become sedentary. Looking into the depths of its tentacled, beaked mouth is enough to give anyone goosebumps. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Sando Aqua Monster, “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (1999) Always a Bigger Fish Indeed! Nydak, “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” (2019) Dathomirian Predators That Make Fierce Foes Dianoga, “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope” (1977) These Cephalopods Will Make You Think Twice About Sliding Down a Garbage Chute Fyrnock, “Star Wars Rebels” (2014-18) They Only Live in Darkness Chirodactyl, “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” (2019) Because It’s Basically a Giant, Terrifying Bat #1: Porgs “Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi” (2017) Sure, these furry cuties might look adorable on the outside! But you know what? … Yeaah we’re just kidding. Let’s move on to the real #1!
#1: Rancor
“Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi” (1983) These semi-sentient reptilians are actually native to Dathomir. But they were first introduced to fans through the formidable specimen that Jabba kept in his pit on Tatooine. Fun fact: this rancor’s name is actually Pateesa. It was described by creature designer Phil Tippett as "a cross between a bear and a potato." Watching the scene in which Luke battles this monster is impressive by today's standards, so imagine what it was like seeing it in the 80s. We get that no one - mostly - actually chooses to live on Tatooine; but seriously, Krayt Dragons, Sarlaccs, and a Rancor? No wonder Luke wanted to leave!