The first time I saw a Porg in The Last Jedi, I swear it was like a tiny, feathered miracle that had crash-landed into the Star Wars universe. Honestly, what are they even? A species of puffin crossed with the world’s cutest stuffed animal? Whatever they are, they made a mark on the franchise that is impossible to ignore. From their little beady eyes to their confused expressions, they quickly became a fan favorite—faster than I can ruin a sourdough starter. (Rest in peace, Gary.) Let’s dive into how these adorable creatures made their debut, why they are so lovable, and why I can’t stop thinking about them, despite their relatively minimal screen time.

Porgs Land on Ahch-To

Okay, so picture this: Luke Skywalker, grumpy and introspective, living alone on the remote island of Ahch-To. This is the setting where we meet the Porgs. It’s a beautiful, isolated place, but it’s also crawling with these tiny, curious creatures that demand your attention. The filmmakers were originally working around a problem: puffins—real-life seabirds—had invaded the filming location. This wasn’t an issue until they realized, wait, those puffins are everywhere! So instead of digitally removing them, they thought, “What if we make them a species? What if we embrace this?” And bam, the Porg was born. A mix of practical effects and CGI, these little guys are so seamlessly woven into the island environment, it’s hard to imagine the place without them.

Fun fact: Skellig Michael, the island that doubled as Ahch-To, is actually home to real puffins. (Which—side note—are kind of the stars of the place if you ask the puffins themselves.) But there’s no mistaking the fact that the Porgs became the highlight in this corner of the galaxy.

Symbolism or Just Cute? Why We Care About Porgs

At first, you might think, “Okay, they’re just cute.” And yes, they are cute—like, ridiculously cute. But let’s talk about why they’ve stuck with us beyond their fluffy, adorable exterior. There’s something almost symbolic about these creatures. They’re living in harmony with their environment, sharing space with Rey, Chewie, and even Luke. And this tiny detail is a subtle reminder of something big—nature’s balance. The galaxy is a mess of conflict, war, and the struggle between the light and dark sides, but the Porgs show us that life goes on. There’s always beauty in the simple things, and the Porgs bring that right to the forefront.

Look, it’s not like they’re delivering Jedi wisdom or anything, but there’s something peaceful about their existence. Their little chirps, those giant eyes—those guys just are. They’re part of the galaxy, like everything else. This is a theme we see echoed in The Last Jedi: balance. Life is cyclical, interconnected. And these fluffy birds? They’re a reminder of that simplicity in the midst of all the crazy stuff happening.

Why I (and Everyone Else) Loves Them

Here’s the thing: I’m a sucker for anything cute. Anything. I mean, I could watch a cat knock over a plant for hours—so a creature like the Porg, with their clumsy hops and giant eyes, had me at “hello.” But it’s not just about being cute. It’s about how these creatures feel like they belong in the Star Wars universe. When I saw one of the Porgs nibbling at Chewie’s food, or watching Rey as if they were really interested in her training, I was hooked. And let’s not forget that time one of them got all up in Chewie’s grill and tried to eat his dinner. Classic.

Here’s a story: I was at a friend’s house after the movie came out. We’re talking about the film, and out of nowhere, my buddy Jack—who usually hates all things “cute”—suddenly goes, “Yo, Porgs are low-key the best part of that movie.” And I’m sitting there, like, “I KNEW IT!” Even the hardest critics of The Last Jedi couldn’t help but feel a little warmth toward these adorable creatures. And if you can make even Jack smile, you’ve achieved something great.

Anyway, here’s the kicker: The Porgs also tap into this deeper emotional well. It’s not just about having a cute face to look at—it’s about how they evoke the emotions we have about nature, survival, and the quiet moments of life. For a film as heavy as The Last Jedi, those little Porgs brought just the right amount of levity.

The Porgs in the Bigger Picture

Porgs are not just an excuse to sell plush toys (although, let’s be real, they did). They serve a bigger narrative purpose. Their role in The Last Jedi is mostly incidental—but that’s the beauty of them. They are part of the story without being the point of the story. For instance, in one scene, we see Chewie staring down a Porg that’s about to be roasted and devoured. There’s a moment of hesitation—Chewie’s conflicted, like, “Do I really want to eat this tiny, helpless creature?” He’s been through so much, and yet, here he is, reluctant to harm this little bird. It’s a subtle, human moment (yes, I’m calling a Wookiee human) that adds depth to a character we already know and love.

And, to be fair, the scene where Chewie and the Porgs are together? Hilarious. Like, full-on “awkward family dinner” vibes. Chewie can’t catch a break, no matter how much he tries to eat. The Porgs keep showing up at the wrong time, making his mealtime anything but peaceful. That’s pure comedy gold, and it gives us a glimpse of Chewie’s softer side.

The Porgs’ Legacy and Their Place in Star Wars Culture

So let’s fast-forward a little. Porgs were the unexpected hit of The Last Jedi, and by the time the movie hit home video, they were everywhere. Seriously. You couldn’t walk into a Walmart without seeing a Porg plushie staring at you from the toy aisle. And you know what? They deserved it. From lunchboxes to T-shirts, Porgs became symbols of joy in a universe often defined by chaos. A quick scroll through Instagram, and you’d see a flood of fan art, memes, and “I Love Porg” posts. It was clear: Porgs weren’t just a passing fad—they had a place in the Star Wars canon now.

But, honestly? The Porgs weren’t just about the toys. They were about the feelings we had while watching them. Every time one of those little guys did something goofy or curious, it made me feel like a kid again—like when I watched the original trilogy and thought, “Oh man, this is magic.” Porgs brought that kind of feeling back. Every scene with them just added that extra bit of heart to the movie.

Look, The Rise of Skywalker didn’t feature the Porgs as much as I hoped (yeah, I was a little salty about that), but I like to think they’re out there, somewhere, living their best Porg life. And honestly, I wouldn’t be mad if they popped up in future Star Wars shows or movies—maybe as part of the Mandalorian or Ahsoka storylines. Who knows? With the way Disney keeps expanding the galaxy, I wouldn’t be surprised if Porgs made a cameo. At this point, they’ve earned it.

Anyway, Let’s Wrap This Up

To sum it up: Porgs are the unsung heroes of The Last Jedi. They brought heart, humor, and a little bit of tenderness to a movie that was filled with complex emotions and heavy themes. And even if they didn’t have major roles in the plot, they helped make the film feel more connected to the universe we know and love. They’re symbolic of the simple, beautiful moments that sometimes get overlooked in the madness of life, and they remind us that there’s always room for a little bit of lightness—even in the darkest of times.