

The Empire Strikes Back
The Star Wars saga continues.
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.
TMDB
8.4/10
19,003 votes
IMDb
Not rated yet
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- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $18M
- Box office
- $538.4M
- Language
- English
- rebellion
- android
- spacecraft
- asteroid
- rebel
- space battle
- snowstorm
- space colony
- swamp
- sequel
- space opera
- arctic
Top billed cast

















Behind the camera
Director
Music
Produced in
United States of America
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
Stream
Gallery












Videos
Release dates
United StatesUS
- PremierePGWashington, DC17 May 1980
- Theatrical (limited)PG21 May 1980
- TheatricalPG20 Jun 1980
- TVNBC22 Nov 1987
- PhysicalPGSpecial Edition4 Apr 1997
- PhysicalPGWidescreen Limited Edition DVD12 Sept 2006
- Theatrical (limited)PG40th anniversary25 Sept 2020
United KingdomGB
- PremierePGLondon20 May 1980
- TheatricalU21 May 1980
AustraliaAU
- TheatricalPG21 May 1980
CanadaCA
- TheatricalPG21 May 1980
AustriaAT
- Theatrical1211 Dec 1980
BrazilBR
- TheatricalL21 May 1980
BulgariaBG
- TheatricalB6 Dec 1985
CzechiaCZ
- Theatrical10 Apr 1997
DenmarkDK
- Theatrical1115 Aug 1980
FinlandFI
- TheatricalK-1214 Aug 1980
FranceFR
- TheatricalTP20 Aug 1980
GermanyDE
- Theatrical1210 Dec 1980
Frequently asked questions
The Empire Strikes Back was released on 20 May 1980.
Audience reviews
8- I4/10
Ian Beale
2/16/2017
**Overrated ** An enjoyable film - just not as engaging as parts IV and VI. The argument that Jedi was ruined by little furry creatures is laughable as this instalment features a _little green muppet_. I was expecting Kermit and Miss Piggy to show up. Once we get the impressive Hoth battle over with the film meanders and crawls along - padding out its running time with predictable romantic sparring and an exten…
- M10/10
mindfroth
1/1/2018
A masterpiece of cinema. The film transcends the franchise, seamlessly combining elements of myth, science fiction, fantasy, war film, romance, bildungsroman, epic and tragedy in a way that its sequels have been unable to replicate. It is a move without a moment of fluff. Cut anything and the film would suffer. Story, character, effects, cinematography, music, screenplay, acting, editing and action are all superb. On…
- J10/10
John Chard
7/21/2019
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 t…
- W7/10
Wuchak
7/26/2020
_**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 …
- R9/10
r96sk
2/1/2021
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 E…
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