MovieNight.app

Get the MovieNight app

Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen

The Empire Strikes Back
Lucasfilm Ltd. Lucasfilm Ltd.
Star Wars Collection Star Wars Collection

The Empire Strikes Back

The Star Wars saga continues.

1980 124 min ★ 8.4 (18,807) Released
Action Adventure Science Fiction

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.

Original title
The Empire Strikes Back
Language
EN
Country
US
Budget
$18,000,000
Revenue
$538,400,000
Reviews & Ratings 6
Joogle83

Joogle83

Jul 20, 2026 · via TMDB

★ 8.0

Watched one my favorite sequels, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back . The Cast Was Stellar With Mark Hamill(Corvette Summer) as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford(Indiana Jones and The Raiders Of The Lost Ark) as Han Solo ,The Lovely Carrie Fisher() as Leia Organa, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, Jeremy Bulloch(The Spy Who Loved Me) & Temura Morrison(Spartacus) as Boba Fett, Billy Dee Williams(Colt .45 ) as Lando Calrissian, Anthony Daniels (Bashki's Lord Of The Rings) as C-3PO, Kenny Baker(Willow) as R2- D2 ,Denis Lawson as Wedge Antilles,Bruce Boa(Superman:The Movie) as General Rieekan ,Michael Sheard(The Hiding Place) as Admiral Ozzel, Julian Glover(Anthony and Cleopatra) as General Veers , Kenneth Colley (Life Of Brian) as Admiral Piett ,Frank Oz(The Blues Brothers) as Yoda, , David Prowse(A Clockwork Orange) & James Earl Jones(Root) as Darth Vader ,Ian McDiarmid(Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) as Emporer Palpatine/Darth Sidious and Sir Alec Guinness(Lawrence Of Arabia) as Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi. Widely and rightfully regarded as the pinnacle of the franchise, The Empire Strikes Back is the brilliant center chapter of my favorite movie trilogy. It is the gold standard for how to construct a middle chapter, transforming the blockbuster sequel into a dark, essential bridge act. The film opens with the jaw-dropping snow warfare of the Battle of Hoth—a sequence that must have completely shocked 1980 audiences by putting the Rebels on a desperate, defensive back foot.This chapter also marks a historic milestone for representation in the galaxy by introducing Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian. His suave, morally grey performance laid the groundwork for future vital Black leads like Mace Windu, Saw Gerrera, and Greef Karga. Narratively, everything tracks beautifully toward Cloud City, delivering the saga's most atmospheric lightsaber duel and its most legendary **** modern standards, the film does suffer from a few narrative loose ends. The split-timeline conundrum almost requires a belief in sci-fi time dilation to make Luke’s training schedule align with the Millennium Falcon’s journey. Additionally, Lucas's clunky handling of the Luke/Leia/Han love triangle—symbolized by that deeply awkward kiss—shows a clear lack of forward planning. However, these minor structural flaws do nothing to diminish the pure, high-octane magic of this undefeated sci-fi classic. Fantastic Cinematography By Peter Suschitzky(Valentino) Production Design By Norman Reynolds(Superman II) ,Amazing Writing By Lawrence Kasdan(Body Heat) ,Direction Irvin Kershner(SPYS), Fantastic Costume design from John Mollo(Alien) and Amazing Score from John Williams(Close Encounters With The Third Kind)A Daring Chapter That Anchors My Favorite Trilogy 8/10

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Jun 7, 2023 · via TMDB

★ 9.0

I have reviewed this film before but I thought that it deserved an extra special mention. Yesterday, this was the first film I saw in a cinema since we were all confined to barracks - and boy what a cracker. Where to start with the superlatives? It's fantastic - right from the opening bars of John Williams' score; on through the three mini-adventures rolled into one, we are treated to a marvellous feast of well-written, snappily directed, entertaining action packed adventure. Picking up from the first film, our rebels are holed up on a frozen planet being relentlessly pursued by Darth Vader. When one of his probes discovers their icebound base, they've got to get the hell out of there. Now sure, the CGI suffers a bit after 40 years; and can someone please tell me what the point of these lumbering Imperial Walkers is? They are like metal polar bears that constantly trip over their own shoelaces, but aside from those most minor of criticisms we have a great story; characters that we care about (personally, I'm an huge Vader fan) and who develop plausible, credible personalities; the detailed animations of "Yoda" are superb to see again on the big screen and it builds excellently to a sword fight the like of which has not been seen since "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938). It is, I think, better then the first film and for my money is the best sci-fi film ever made. Made for the big screen - and brilliantly made at that!

GenerationofSwine

GenerationofSwine

Jan 14, 2023 · via TMDB

★ 10.0

So, I was almost 1 when this movie dropped and, well, it started the opening night tradition. OK, well, how to do this? I guess we will start with the hate. I like to address the hate in movies, especially ones that are well regarded and loved. Now, I'll excuse it for the people that just don't like Star Wars. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But then there are the people that really hate Empire because of...reasons. And those reasons are Revenge of the Sith. I'm sorry, panning Empire because of loyalty to the prequels--misplaced as it is--doesn't make I-III any better. It just makes you petty. Now, why its loved and, I'll admit, I am one of those fanboys that really do love this movie. For starters, Empire went dark. It was the really the episode that the good guys lost and, that made it unique among, well, among just about every movie not made in the 1970s. I guess that is what made the 70s such a wonderful time for movies. We could use a little more of that. We could use a lot more of that. We use a lot more gritty in cinema. And, we could use a lot more "lived in" Everything looks too clean. Empire had that. And then it had that big, legendary, reveal that made all those kisses between Luke and Leia utterly wrong once the second big reveal hit in 1983...which explained that look Han gave Leia when she told him in the next installment. Moving on... We have the Battle of Hoth, which, yeah, nerd awesomeness with kind of a WWI trench warfare v tanks feel and a WWII Evacuation of Dunkirk feel with the rebels on the run and the Empire forcing its way across the galaxy with brute strength. And that prolonged time on the Falcon, well, that was just brilliant for character development and, incest blocking. So, really, honestly, there was way too much to love not to put Empire on the throne.

r96sk

r96sk

Feb 1, 2021 · via TMDB

★ 9.0

Terrific, again. <em>'The Empire Strikes Back'</em> follows up on the greatness of <em>'Star Wars'</em> with a highly enjoyable sequel. This one feels like a big moment in the franchise, at least to someone who doesn't know what's upcoming, as we get sizeable moments alongside some cool character reveals. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher continue to impress in their respective roles, as does James Earl Jones. Elsewhere, Billy Dee Williams and Frank Oz make for strong additions. There are, once again, fun roles for Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker. I'd say its predecessor has aged better - though that's not to say this film looks even the slightest bit bad, as it still looks fantastic throughout. The plot is as great as before, as is everything else really - namely the music, for one. I think I prefer the 1977 film over this, but there's barely anything separating the two in my thoughts to be honest. Both are awesome!

Wuchak

Wuchak

Jul 26, 2020 · via TMDB

★ 7.0

_**Fun, imaginative, iconic space adventure with a kick-axx cast**_ "Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) was the anticipated follow-up to the initial mega-hit blockbuster from 1977. It’s an epic, but simplistic space fantasy about an evil empire and the noble souls who dare to fight it. The main cast features Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and the voice work of James Earl Jones (Darth Vader), Frank Oz (Yoda) and Clive Revill (Emperor). This is an amusing, inventive, iconic space adventure with a stellar cast. While I prefer the adult-oriented space science-fiction of Star Trek, I can’t deny that this space fantasy grants you an entertaining two hours with lots of sci-fi action, space ships, a snowy planet, asteroid caves and mysterious swamps. I also appreciate the mind-powers angle. It doesn’t hurt that Fisher is in her prime and easy on the eyes, not to mention Ford and Williams are at their charismatic best. Even the more obscure Hamill shines in his boyish youth. Then there’s RD-D2, C-3PO and Chewbacca. The film runs 2 hours, 7 minutes. GRADE: B

John Chard

John Chard

Jul 21, 2019 · via TMDB

★ 10.0

It's a dark time for the rebellion; and us the audience as well. Luke, Leia and Han are fighting with the rebels in the hope of defeating the Imperial forces. But Luke gets a calling to the planet Dagobah, where under the tutelage of Jedi Master, Yoda, he hopes to become a Jedi himself, but that also brings him closer to his, and Leia's, destiny. Lets tell it as it is, The Empire Strikes Back is a better film than Star Wars, not as impacting of course, but most definitely better. Technically, in story telling and in tone, it holds up well today and certainly warrants the amount of times it crops up in best sequels debates. That it's not actually a sequel is irrelevant, it is of course the filler in a wonderful sci-fi sandwich, because as second instalments go, Empire has few peers. With Empire Strikes Back we get all the whizz bang adventure strewn heart of Star Wars, but George Lucas (stepping aside for Irvin Kershner to direct) has also fleshed the story out with a serious dark tone that oddly becomes a bedfellow to the romantic fun on offer, where new and engaging characters (and creatures) add spice to this wonderful fantastical broth. Aided by the considerable writing talent of Leigh Brackett (The Long Goodbye, Rio Bravo, The Big Sleep), Lucas took the bold and ingenious step of giving the bad guys the upper hand, in fact it could be argued that he was taking a considerable risk with his ending. Forcing his viewers to wait for the final chapter (three years later), after tantalisingly setting us up with a corker of plot twist (one which is still to this day as potent as it was back on release), Lucas pulled perhaps one of the cheekiest carrot dangles in cinema history. Though more famed for its dark undertones, Empire is for sure still a very fun movie, C3PO goes into camp overdrive and Han Solo ups his quip quota by some margin. Then of course there is Yoda, in himself a comedic joy. The action sequences beg for repeat viewings, a battle on the ice laden planet Hoth is a marvel and the choreography for Skywalker's fight with Darth Vader is out of the top draw. But ultimately it's with the dark side that the picture excels. Complex and amazingly posing moral quandary's, The Empire Strikes Back is quite an experience, one that will forever hold up to repeat viewings for this particular viewer. 10/10

User reviews courtesy of TMDB.

Keywords 16
android arctic asteroid epic fantasy epic sci-fi incest rebel rebellion sequel snowstorm space battle space colony space opera spacecraft swamp tuwaderalit
Buy
Amazon Video Amazon Video
Apple TV Store Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies Google Play Movies
YouTube YouTube
Fandango At Home Fandango At Home
Streaming
Disney Plus Disney Plus
fuboTV fuboTV
YouTube TV YouTube TV
Rent
Amazon Video Amazon Video
Apple TV Store Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies Google Play Movies
YouTube YouTube
Fandango At Home Fandango At Home
Cast 56
Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill

Luke Skywalker

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford

Han Solo

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher

Princess Leia

Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams

Lando Calrissian

Anthony Daniels

Anthony Daniels

C-3PO

David Prowse

David Prowse

Darth Vader

Peter Mayhew

Peter Mayhew

Chewbacca

Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker

R2-D2

Frank Oz

Frank Oz

Yoda (Voice)

Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Jeremy Bulloch

Jeremy Bulloch

Boba Fett

Jason Wingreen

Jason Wingreen

Boba Fett (voice - uncredited)

John Hollis

John Hollis

Lando's Aide

Jack Purvis

Jack Purvis

Chief Ugnaught

Kathryn Mullen

Kathryn Mullen

Performing Assistant for Yoda

Marjorie Eaton

Marjorie Eaton

Emperor (uncredited)

Clive Revill

Clive Revill

Emperor (voice)

Kenneth Colley

Kenneth Colley

Admiral Piett

Julian Glover

Julian Glover

General Veers

Michael Sheard

Michael Sheard

Admiral Ozzel

Michael Culver

Michael Culver

Captain Needa

Milton Johns

Milton Johns

Bewil

Mark Jones

Mark Jones

Commander Nemet

Oliver Maguire

Oliver Maguire

Cabbel

Bruce Boa

Bruce Boa

General Carlist Rieekan

Christopher Malcolm

Christopher Malcolm

Zev Senesca

Denis Lawson

Denis Lawson

Wedge Antilles

Richard Oldfield

Richard Oldfield

Derek "Hobbie" Klivian

John Morton

John Morton

Dak Ralter

John Ratzenberger

John Ratzenberger

Major Derlin

Norman Chancer

Norman Chancer

Tamizander Rey

Norwich Duff

Norwich Duff

Jeroen Webb

Ray Hassett

Ray Hassett

Tigran Jamiro

Burnell Tucker

Burnell Tucker

Wyron Serper

Bob Anderson

Bob Anderson

Imperial Officer (uncredited)

Lightning Bear

Lightning Bear

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Richard Bonehill

Richard Bonehill

Stormtrooper / Snowtrooper / Rebel Soldier / ... (uncredited)

John Cannon

John Cannon

Holographic Imperial Officer (uncredited)

Mark Capri

Mark Capri

Officer M'kae (Captain Needa's Communications Officer) (uncredited)

Martin Dew

Martin Dew

Cloud City Guard (uncredited)

Peter Diamond

Peter Diamond

Snowtrooper Gunner (uncredited)

Doug Robinson

Doug Robinson

Snowtrooper (uncredited)

Alan Harris

Alan Harris

Bossk / Bespin Security Guard (uncredited)

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones

Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)

Mac McDonald

Mac McDonald

Rebel Pilot (uncredited)

Ralph McQuarrie

Ralph McQuarrie

General McQuarrie (uncredited)

Treat Williams

Treat Williams

Echo Base Trooper (uncredited)

Alan Austen

Alan Austen

Stormtrooper/Snowtrooper

Tom Egeland

Tom Egeland

Hoth Trooper (uncredited)

Maurice Bush

Maurice Bush

Dengar (uncredited)

Tony Clarkin

Tony Clarkin

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Mike Edmonds

Mike Edmonds

Ugnaught (uncredited)

Joe Johnston

Joe Johnston

Hoth Rebel (uncredited)

Steven Meek

Steven Meek

Stormtrooper / Chewbacca / Treva Horme / Solomahal (uncredited)

Stephanie English

Stephanie English

Hoth Rebel Technician (uncredited)

Michael Leader

Michael Leader

Imperial Crewman (uncredited)

Crew 34
Paul Huston

Paul Huston

Camera Operator

Peter Suschitzky

Peter Suschitzky

Director of Photography

Graham Churchyard

Graham Churchyard

Costume Assistant

Rick Baker

Rick Baker

Makeup Artist

Phil Tippett

Phil Tippett

Makeup Effects

Bill Hargreaves

Bill Hargreaves

Propmaker

Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson

Special Effects

Alan Harris

Alan Harris

Stand In

Deep Roy

Deep Roy

Stand In

Peter Diamond

Peter Diamond

Stunt Coordinator

Colin Skeaping

Colin Skeaping

Stunt Double

Bob Anderson

Bob Anderson

Stunts

Richard Bonehill

Richard Bonehill

Stunts

George Hull

George Hull

Visual Effects Art Director

Irvin Kershner

Irvin Kershner

Director

Roy Button

Roy Button

Second Assistant Director

Harley Cokeliss

Harley Cokeliss

Second Unit Director

Peter MacDonald

Peter MacDonald

Second Unit Director

Marcia Lucas

Marcia Lucas

Editor

Paul Hirsch

Paul Hirsch

Editor

Jim Bloom

Jim Bloom

Associate Producer

Robert Watts

Robert Watts

Associate Producer

George Lucas

George Lucas

Executive Producer

Gary Kurtz

Gary Kurtz

Producer

Howard G. Kazanjian

Howard G. Kazanjian

Producer

Svend Johansen

Svend Johansen

Production Manager

John Williams

John Williams

Original Music Composer

Ben Burtt

Ben Burtt

Sound Designer

Phil Tippett

Phil Tippett

Animation

Ralph McQuarrie

Ralph McQuarrie

Visual Effects

Richard Edlund

Richard Edlund

Visual Effects

Robert Elswit

Robert Elswit

Visual Effects Lineup

Lawrence Kasdan

Lawrence Kasdan

Screenplay

George Lucas

George Lucas

Story

Gallery 760
Videos 18
Similar Movies 516
US Release Dates 7

May 17, 1980

Washington, DC

PG Premiere

May 21, 1980

PG Theatrical (Limited)

Jun 20, 1980

PG Theatrical

Nov 22, 1987

NBC

TV

Apr 4, 1997

Special Edition

PG Physical

Sep 12, 2006

Widescreen Limited Edition DVD

PG Physical

Sep 25, 2020

40th anniversary

PG Theatrical (Limited)

© 2025-2026 MovieNight. All rights reserved.

Happy on the Ground: 8 Days at Grammy Camp

Happy on the Ground: 8 Days at Grammy Camp

2011

VS
Thursday

Thursday

2021

Sign in to vote

Battle your watched movies head-to-head

Community Top Movies

🥇 Evil Dead II

Evil Dead II

1987 · 14 wins

🥈 The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

2008 · 14 wins

🥉 Final Destination

Final Destination

2000 · 12 wins

#4 Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick

2022 · 11 wins

#5 Joker

Joker

2019 · 11 wins

Sign in to build your own ranking
0 Points
0/0 Correct
0 Streak

Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.

Movie Trivia

Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.

What movie experience do you prefer?

Movie theater — theater popcorn with Icee/soda & maybe nachos 100%
At home — relaxed on your favorite couch or chair with whatever drinks & snacks are in the kitchen 0%
2 votes

What is your favorite movie genre?

Action 0%
Adventure 0%
Animation 0%
Comedy 0%
Crime 0%
Documentary 0%
Drama 0%
Family 0%
Fantasy 0%
History 0%
Horror 100%
Music 0%
Mystery 0%
Romance 0%
Science Fiction 0%
Thriller 0%
War 0%
Western 0%
2 votes
Install MovieNight

Add MovieNight to your home screen for a fast, full-screen experience:

  1. Tap the Share button in Safari
  2. Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen
  3. Tap Add
MovieNight
Home Browse Trending Top 100s Keywords Streaming Weekly Picks Blog Watchlist Trivia Guess the Movie Face-Off Watch Tonight Double Feature Birthday Movies MovieNight 100 Community This Day in Movies Ever thought, what to watch? Tops In Theaters Coming Soon New Releases
Happy on the Ground: 8 Days at Grammy Camp

Happy on the Ground: 8 Days at Grammy Camp

2011

VS
Thursday

Thursday

2021

Sign in to vote

Battle your watched movies head-to-head

Community Top Movies

🥇 Evil Dead II

Evil Dead II

1987 · 14 wins

🥈 The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

2008 · 14 wins

🥉 Final Destination

Final Destination

2000 · 12 wins

#4 Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick

2022 · 11 wins

#5 Joker

Joker

2019 · 11 wins

Sign in to build your own ranking
0 Points
0/0 Correct
0 Streak

Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.

Movie Trivia

Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.

What movie experience do you prefer?

Movie theater — theater popcorn with Icee/soda & maybe nachos 100%
At home — relaxed on your favorite couch or chair with whatever drinks & snacks are in the kitchen 0%
2 votes

What is your favorite movie genre?

Action 0%
Adventure 0%
Animation 0%
Comedy 0%
Crime 0%
Documentary 0%
Drama 0%
Family 0%
Fantasy 0%
History 0%
Horror 100%
Music 0%
Mystery 0%
Romance 0%
Science Fiction 0%
Thriller 0%
War 0%
Western 0%
2 votes

We use essential cookies to run MovieNight, plus analytics (Google Analytics) and advertising (Google AdSense) cookies. By continuing to browse, you agree to this — or click No and we won't. See our Terms & Privacy Policy to learn more.