Ranking the Jedi Who Survived Order 66

This month marks the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the epic conclusion to the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. Released on May 19, 2005, the film served as the final chapter in George Lucas’s vision for the saga before he passed the torch to Disney seven years later.

From the outset, fans knew Revenge of the Sith would deliver the tragic transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. But another pivotal moment loomed large: the fate of the Jedi Order. The answer came in the form of Order 66, a cunning and devastating maneuver orchestrated by Emperor Palpatine. With a single command, the Clone Troopers—long-standing allies of the Jedi during the Clone Wars—turned on their commanders, launching a galaxy-wide purge. While the fall of thousands of Jedi was inevitable, it was equally plausible that some would survive the onslaught. Beyond the known survivors essential to the Original Trilogy, numerous Jedi managed to escape the Emperor’s grasp.

Over the years, canon Star Wars storytelling has introduced dozens of these survivors, each with their own journey of resilience, redemption, or resistance. From those who perished shortly after to those who endured well into the Imperial era—and even beyond—we’ve compiled a definitive ranking of the top 10 Jedi who lived through Order 66 and left a lasting mark on the galaxy.

A few criteria shaped this list: To qualify, a character must have been formally affiliated with the Jedi Order prior to Order 66, regardless of rank—whether Jedi Initiate, Padawan, Jedi Knight, or Jedi Master. This excludes Force-sensitive individuals like Maul or Palpatine, as well as those such as Jod Na Nawood, who, despite limited training, were never officially part of the Jedi hierarchy or set foot in the Jedi Temple.

One character sparked particular debate: Asajj Ventress. Though she trained under Jedi Master Ky Narec on Rattatak and was named his Padawan, she never reached Coruscant, encountered the Jedi Council, or interacted with the broader Order before his death. Her subsequent turn to the dark side under Count Dooku further complicates her status. As a result, she earns an honorable mention—but her story remains a compelling footnote in this tragic chapter.

Now, let’s explore the Jedi who defied extinction.

Ranking the Jedi Who Survived Order 66

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