How many times has "May the Force be with you" been said in Star Wars?
It all starts of course with A New Hope.
The time it is said is by General Jan Dodonna to his brave Rebel troops just before the Battle of Yavin.
Han Solo then somewhat surprisingly says it to Luke shortly after before he flies off to tackle the Death Star.
Given Han had questioned the value of 'hokey religion', he used it as a sign of friendship and genuine goodwill to Luke.
![]()
There was a lengthy development of the concept before it became what we know it to be today.
Amusingly, Obi-Wan Kenobi is sometimes credited with using the phrase first but here are the quotes for when he uses it:
"The Force will be with you... always."
"Luke, the Force will be with you."
"Use the Force, Luke."
"Remember, the Force will be with you always."
There are plenty of other phrases when the force is used too.
But what is it based on?
The Force is mentioned several times in the Star Wars movies but there are three main ways that this phrase we are talking about you is said
"May the Force be with you" is used 16 times in the 7 movies.
"May the Force be with us" is spoken twice and "The Force will be with you" is also used twice.
Here's the use per movie breakdown:
A New Hope
General Dodonna say it to his troops and Han Solo says it to Luke just before the Battle of Yavin
Number of times = 2
The Empire Strikes Back
When Luke is speaking with Lando and Chewie, he says "Chewie, I'll be waiting for your signal. Take care, you two. May the force be with you."
Number of times = 1
Return of the Jedi
It is not said in Jedi. Admiral Ackbar says before the Battle of Endor, "May the Force be with us"
And we know how that all ended up...
In George Lucas's first draft of Star Wars, the concept of the Force was not fully formed, a character that never made it into the final version of the film called King Kayos, said the blessing "May the Force of Others be with you all".
In George Lucas's first draft of Star Wars, the concept of the Force was not fully formed, a character that never made it into the final version of the film called King Kayos, said the blessing "May the Force of Others be with you all".
That was some terrible puncuation but we're not changing it...
There was a lengthy development of the concept before it became what we know it to be today.
Amusingly, Obi-Wan Kenobi is sometimes credited with using the phrase first but here are the quotes for when he uses it:
"The Force will be with you... always."
"Luke, the Force will be with you."
"Use the Force, Luke."
"Remember, the Force will be with you always."
There are plenty of other phrases when the force is used too.
But what is it based on?
It's likely that George Lucas was inspired by the salutation or blessing that is often said in Catholic mass, "May the the Lord be with you'.
To which the reply is 'and also with you'.
For those wondering, George Lucas was raised Methodist.
The Force is mentioned several times in the Star Wars movies but there are three main ways that this phrase we are talking about you is said
"May the Force be with you" is used 16 times in the 7 movies.
"May the Force be with us" is spoken twice and "The Force will be with you" is also used twice.
The Clone Wars and the Mandolorian also borrow the phrase.
Here's the use per movie breakdown:
A New Hope
General Dodonna say it to his troops and Han Solo says it to Luke just before the Battle of Yavin
Number of times = 2
The Empire Strikes Back
When Luke is speaking with Lando and Chewie, he says "Chewie, I'll be waiting for your signal. Take care, you two. May the force be with you."
Number of times = 1
Return of the Jedi
It is not said in Jedi. Admiral Ackbar says before the Battle of Endor, "May the Force be with us"
Number of times = 0
The Phantom Menace
Qui-gon Jin says it to young Anakin just before the pod race starts.
Mace Windu and Yoda exchange this pleasantry between them. Yoda says it another time.
Number of times = 4
Attack of the Clones
Anakin and Obi-Wan each make the exchange before Anakin leaves the planet Coruscant with Padme.
Mace says it to Obi-Wan
Obi-Wan gets as far as "may the" before his transmission is cut off. We don't count this.
Number of times = 3
Revenge of the Sith
Yoda says the line to Obi-Wan just before he travels to the Wookie home planet.
Obi-Wan and Anakin say it to each other, the last time they speak as friends.
Yoda and Obi-Wan wish each other it as luck just before Yoda goes to take on Darth Sidious.
Number of times = 5
The Force Awakens
Finally, it is Commander Organa (Leia) who says the classic line to Rey at the end of the The Force Awakens. This makes 'May the Force be with you'the last line spoken in TFA. This line is not only one of 'good luck', it's Leia truly wishing that the Force be with Rey as she begins her journey to becoming a Jedi as she heads off to find Luke Skywalker.
Number of times = 1
So it looks like Obi-Wan says it the most with three times, Yoda and Mace both twice.
Rogue One
Jyno Erso says to her band of merry Rebels "May the Force be with us"
Special mention should go to Admiral Raddus who said "Rogue one, may the Force be with you".
K-2SO also tries to get the quote out but is told to shut up by Jyn and Cassian.
Number of times = 0
![jan dondonna may the force]()
General Jan Dodonna said in ANH "Then man your ships. And may the Force be with you." and was thus the first to say the famous line. Dodonna was played by Alex McCrindle. The character appeared again in the Rogue One prequel, played by different actor, Ian McElhinney.
The Phantom Menace
Qui-gon Jin says it to young Anakin just before the pod race starts.
Mace Windu and Yoda exchange this pleasantry between them. Yoda says it another time.
Number of times = 4
Attack of the Clones
Anakin and Obi-Wan each make the exchange before Anakin leaves the planet Coruscant with Padme.
Mace says it to Obi-Wan
Obi-Wan gets as far as "may the" before his transmission is cut off. We don't count this.
Number of times = 3
Revenge of the Sith
Yoda says the line to Obi-Wan just before he travels to the Wookie home planet.
Obi-Wan and Anakin say it to each other, the last time they speak as friends.
Yoda and Obi-Wan wish each other it as luck just before Yoda goes to take on Darth Sidious.
Number of times = 5
The Force Awakens
Finally, it is Commander Organa (Leia) who says the classic line to Rey at the end of the The Force Awakens. This makes 'May the Force be with you'the last line spoken in TFA. This line is not only one of 'good luck', it's Leia truly wishing that the Force be with Rey as she begins her journey to becoming a Jedi as she heads off to find Luke Skywalker.
Number of times = 1
So it looks like Obi-Wan says it the most with three times, Yoda and Mace both twice.
Rogue One
Jyno Erso says to her band of merry Rebels "May the Force be with us"
Special mention should go to Admiral Raddus who said "Rogue one, may the Force be with you".
K-2SO also tries to get the quote out but is told to shut up by Jyn and Cassian.
Number of times = 0
The Last Jedi.
Not spoken by any human characters but BB8 utters it in his robot 'manner' while flying with Poe Dameron against the Dreadnought.
Han Solo movie: It was not spoken.
The quote is all over the Clone Wars but it's also popped up a couple of times in the Mandalorian.
In Season Two: Episode 5, Chapter: The Jedi, Ashoka wishes the quote to both Mando and Baby Grogu as they depart to find the planet to send a signal to the Universe that Grogu needs some Jedi assistance.
In the final episode of the same season: 'The Rescue', having declared he will look after Grogu with his life, Luke Skywalker wishes the Force be with Mando and those on the Bridge of the Lite-Cruiser.
Who first said May the Force be with you in Star Wars?
General Jan Dodonna said in ANH "Then man your ships. And may the Force be with you." and was thus the first to say the famous line. Dodonna was played by Alex McCrindle. The character appeared again in the Rogue One prequel, played by different actor, Ian McElhinney.