Darth Maul is one of the most iconic Star Wars villains, and his history runs deep in the franchise. Initially seen in Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace, Maul was seemingly defeated by then Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, but his journey after is one of the most interesting and compelling in the franchise. Despite being an antagonist, Maul at his core was a survivor itching to carve out a spot for himself in the galaxy, especially during the Clone Wars. His story is one of heartache, perseverance, and failure, each trial endured adding another layer to the tortured soul.
Though the end of Maul’s story has already been told, there is still a large period where his unexplored, something that will undoubtedly be tackled in the future. While Maul's biggest moments have been covered, his early days as a Sith apprentice and his downfall as the leader of the Crimson Dawn remain mysteries. Light will be shed on those events in time, but Maul has already wreaked havoc in multiple titles, justifying an essential viewing list for the legendary Star Wars antagonist.
17 Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace
When The Phantom Menace released in 1999, Darth Maul was the center of attention. His menacing face was used for merchandise packaging, and the trailer melted minds when it was revealed that Maul wielded a double-bladed red lightsaber, something not seen on screen before. While Maul only had three lines in the film, he did change the course of the galaxy by killing Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn on Naboo. Jinn's Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi would use his master’s lightsaber to cut Maul in half, seemingly killing him. Despite what was believed to be a probable end for Darth Maul, his presumed death was in fact just the beginning for the character.
16 The Clone Wars: Season 3, Episode 14 – “Witches of the Mist”
While “Witches of the Mist” focuses more on Asajj Ventress’ quest for revenge against her former master, Count Dooku, the episode ends with Savage Opress returning to Mother Talzin on Dathomir, having been hunted by both the Jedi and Dooku’s forces. Mother Talzin promises that his brother will teach him, stating that first, he must find him. The final moments of the episode reveal that Savage’s brother is none other than Darth Maul. This was the first confirmation in Star Wars that Darth Maul was still alive after his defeat in The Phantom Menace.
15 The Clone Wars: Season 4, Episode 21 – “Brothers”
"Brothers" finds Savage Opress traveling to the garbage planet of Lotho Minor to find his lost brother, Darth Maul. When Maul is located, he is suffering from years of solitude, his thoughts unfocused and dipping into insanity. His legs were rebuilt with garbage to resemble a spider, and the overgrown horns and malnourished frame complete the disheveled look. While much of what Maul says makes little sense, his singular moment of clarity makes clear that a lust for revenge on Obi-Wan Kenobi has fueled him.
14 The Clone Wars: Season 4, Episode 22 – “Revenge”
In "Revenge," Mother Talzin restores Maul’s mind and legs on Dathomir. Recognizing the Clone War has started without him, Maul immediately plans his return to the galaxy. In his quest for revenge, Maul and Savage slaughter a village in the outer rim to lure Obi-Wan, where the Jedi Master is captured. In an odd bout of luck, Asajj Ventress comes to Kenobi’s rescue, and Obi-Wan even uses a red lightsaber temporarily to fight off the brothers. The episode concludes with Maul wanting the Jedi to hunt him, relishing the opportunity to slay his enemies.
13 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 1 – “Revival”
The Clone Wars season 5 premiere sees Maul and Savage try to recruit Hondo Ohnaka's army of pirates while being pursued by Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Adi Gallia, the latter of whom perishes at the blade of Savage. This rematch between the two foes causes Maul to rethink how he will go about getting his revenge, realizing it’s a long game he has to play if he wants to defeat Kenobi. Maul and Savage escape Florum, but their injures and damaged vessel leave them in a precarious state.
12 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 14 – “Eminence”
The Clone Wars season 5 highlights Maul’s rise to power on Mandalore, with "Eminence" documenting how he used Death Watch to further his own agenda and unite the different crime syndicates under his rule. Maul’s commanding presence was the reason why the different crime groups were willing to align with him in the Shadow Collective. Though he promises Death Watch leader Pre Vizsla that they will conquer Mandalore, Maul is planning to take control on his own.
11 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 15 – “Shades of Reason”
“Shades of Reason” sees Maul’s plan for taking Mandalore work, with Death Watch earning the favor of the Mandalorian people during a staged coup. Maul is promptly betrayed by Vizsla and incarcerated, though he and Savage and easily escape. As part of the final stage in his plan to assume control, Maul challenges Vizsla to single combat and beheads his foe in a vicious duel, making Maul the rightful ruler of Mandalore. His claim over the Darksaber is challenged by Bo-Katan Kryze, and she and other Mandalorian Loyalists flee to prepare for civil war.
10 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 16 – “The Lawless”
“The Lawless” sees Obi-Wan single-handedly trying to save Duchess Satine, but his efforts are thwarted by Maul during their escape. To take his ultimate revenge, Maul choked and killed Satine while Obi-Wan watched helplessly, sending the Jedi to rot in prison. Bo-Katan would save Obi-Wan to send a request for aid to the Republic in the midst of a violent conflict. There's a disturbance in the Force when Maul’s former master, Darth Sidious, arrives on Mandalore, declaring Maul an enemy and killing Savage in a stunning lightsaber duel. Sidious defeats and captures Maul, who begs for mercy; however, his escape would happen off-screen in an unaired storyline for The Clone Wars season 6.
9 The Clone Wars: Season 7, Episode 8 – “Together Again”
The end of the Martez sisters' arc reveals that the Pykes were working for the crime lord Darth Maul. When ex-Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano finds out, she is approached by Bo-Katan Kryze, who seeks to free her homeworld of Maul's rule. This sets up the final arc of The Clone Wars series and leads directly into Order 66.
8 The Clone Wars: Season 7, Episode 10 – “The Phantom Apprentice”
In "The Phantom Apprentice," the latter part of the Siege of Mandalore is shown, culminating with the eventual capture of Darth Maul at the hands of Ahsoka Tano. Maul tells Ahsoka that the fall of the Republic is imminent, asserting that Anakin Skywalker has been groomed to become Darth Sidious' next apprentice. When defeated at the top of capital city's domed structure, Maul manically roars for Tano and the clones to let him die, fearing a worse fate is to come. The episode highlights Maul’s tactical genius, revealing that the siege was a last-ditch effort to kill Anakin and prevent Sidious from gaining his prized pupil.