The 8 Best Star Wars Memes

Scumbag Anakin: Before he became Darth Vader, Ani was a brat
Luke's Lightsaber: The family heirloom with a bloody history
The Beauty of Chewbacca: Chewie's luscious locks
Sleepy Yoda: The Force awakens... the Force needs 5 more minutes.
R2-D2's Decline: The lovable droid side-by-side with a trash can
Anakin & Obi-Wan's Day Off: Photoshopping the duo into various situations
Game of Thrones Crossovers: Pointing out parallels between the two fantasy worlds
Stormtroopers Never Hit Anything: A long-running joke about the Empire's soldiers

Why Are There So Many Star Wars Memes?

Star Wars is an incredibly popular franchise. Decades after A New Hope came out, its new films still fill up movie theaters year after year, not to mention the success of other products, like video games and merchandise. This popularity means that a lot of people know about the main characters and basic premise of Star Wars, even if they're not intimately familiar with the expanded universe. Since the best memes can be understood and appreciated by a lot of people, subjects that have a built-in audience, like Star Wars, are a good starting point.

Why Can't Stormtroopers Hit Anything?

In Depth

Modern popular culture has been significantly impacted by Star Wars. When creator George Lucas debuted his film series in the 1970s, he had no idea it would turn into a worldwide phenomenon. The epic space opera franchise has spawned multiple film trilogies, video games, merchandise and a dedicated fan base. Naturally, many devotees revel in making hilarious Star Wars memes. Here are 8 of the best ones.

#1. Scumbag Anakin. Darth Vader is arguably one of the most important characters in Star Wars. He is a formidable villain with a complicated personality. His past showcases his light side as he struggles between right and wrong. After he loses the ones he holds dear, he finally succumbs to evil. Many consider him a tragic hero. Growing up, he was bratty, suspicious and imperious. This gave way to multiple "scumbag Anakin" memes. Making fun of one of the most villainous characters in history is inherently comical.

#2. The awkward truth behind Luke's lightsaber. Many families possess treasured heirlooms. Mothers and fathers hand down cherished items to their children to continue their legacy. In the case of the Skywalker family, this concept gets complicated. Luke is given a lightsaber by Obi-Wan Kenobi, who tells him his father wanted to pass it down to him. Unbeknownst to Luke, his dad is really Darth Vader. Cue memes that reveal the awkward truth behind this murderous weapon.

Cue memes that reveal the awkward truth behind this murderous weapon.

#3. The natural beauty of Chewbacca. Known as Chewie, the Wookiee warrior is a loyal friend of Hans Solo. As the first mate of the Millennium Falcon spaceship, the loyal sidekick gets plenty of screen time. Other than his trademark roar, Chewbacca's most defining feature is the long chestnut hair that covers his entire body. Apparently, some fans felt that such a glossy mane shouldn't go unnoticed.

#4. Let sleeping Yodas lie. A Star Wars legend, Yoda was the consummate mentor. As a highly renowned and powerful Jedi master, he lived to be 900 years old. His death in "Return of the Jedi" is extremely well known. Because of the gravity of the scene, there are a host of gags that make light of it. The most popular version uses a play on words from the title of the film "The Force Awakens." The meme combines the joke with the popular notion of ignoring your alarm clock to sleep for just five more minutes.

#5. The tragic decline of R2-D2. Robots are everywhere in the Star Wars universe. Designed by Ralph McQuarrie, Artoo is a likable droid who also serves as a friend. He is colored mainly in blue and white and is shaped like a cylinder with a domed head. His resemblance to a trashcan is uncanny, and people have been quick to notice. The comparison is much like the cautionary tale of illegal drug use, which uses before and after photos.

The comparison is much like the cautionary tale of illegal drug use, which uses before and after photos.

#6. Anakin and Obi-Wan's extracurricular activities. What does a Jedi do on his or her night off? Star Wars aficionados love to brainstorm ideas. What began as a still photo of Obi-Wan Kenobi training Anakin Skywalker turned into something much more. Whether it's dancing at the theater or making a pizza, the "Jedi Nights" memes are plentiful.

#7. The many parallels with Game of Thrones. Complicated relationships and family drama are key themes in Star Wars. The same can also be said for the HBO series Game of Thrones. Both franchises have contentious sibling relationships, evil fathers, and intense showdowns. Fans have put a comical spin on the way they stack up against each other. This friendly competition often results in a character mocking the pain of a comparable counterpart. With so many similarities between these two fantasy worlds, the options are endless. This has created a breeding ground for hilarious comparisons.

#8. Stormtroopers never seem to hit their targets. Drawing inspiration from the German soldiers of both World Wars, Stormtroopers are ruthless. Highly skilled troops that fight for the Empire, they often clash with rebel forces. According to Obi-Wan Kenobi, they are extremely precise shots. They are trained to always hit their target. Yet somehow when in combat, they always seem to miss. To fans, this is one of the biggest plot holes in the franchise. Their ironically poor aim is often mocked.

They are trained to always hit their target.

The Star Wars franchise shows no signs of stopping. This massive media sensation continues to enthrall generations of fans. When The Walt Disney Company purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, they revealed more plans for expansion. Such a rich universe is sure to be explored for years to come. Expect more toys, films, and of course, memes.

The 8 Best Star Wars Memes