Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

PG

Released May 21, 1980

2h 4m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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List

95%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

97%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Only with the Jedi master's help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse).

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Critics Consensus

Dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels.

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Richard Combs

Sight & Sound

That story counts for less than gimmicks, and characters less than both, might be judged from the lack of resonance in the one narrative revelation, concerning Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.

Dec 16, 2019

Full Review

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

The Empire Strikes Back Displays the same soaring imagination that made Star Wars a filmmaking classic; most other space movies seem clunky and earthbound in comparison.

Jul 17, 2019

Full Review

Bruce McCabe

Boston Globe

This is a respectable sequel to Star Wars but not as good.

Apr 27, 2018

Full Review

Akhil Arora

AkhilArora.com

The second half is where the middle chapter of the original trilogy gets good.

May 31, 2024

Full Review

Christian Eulinberg

InSession Film

This is one of the best climaxes that movies can offer and receives all of the respect it deserves.

Sep 26, 2023

Full Review

Matt Neal

Movies Ate My Life

Whereas A New Hope's greatest triumphs are in its storytelling, its groundbreaking special FX, and its remarkable legacy, Empire has all that and one extra key ingredient - emotion.

Sep 23, 2023

Full Review

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Khris

watching it in a theater proves that a movie thats 40 years old is still better than the sequel trilogy

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/25/22

Full Review

Suzan L

Nice to be back at the movies with safety measures in place. Classic films being shown, so I got to see Empire Strikes Back in the theatre for the first in years.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/21

Full Review

Matthew R

How does one even rank these movies?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

Full Review

Razzbender B

Where to start. At the end ? If you love the OT then what do I need to say here ? If you haven't seen it ? Then watch it after you watch Star Wars ;)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

Full Review

Audience Member

It’s hard to make a sequel that lives up to the original. But George mastered the formula with this film. A lot of people pick this as there favorite Star Wars movie rightfully so and while it isn’t my number 1 it’s definitely pretty close!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Easily one of the most iconic pieces of media known to man.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

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Irvin Kershner

Director

Mark Hamill

Luke Skywalker

Harrison Ford

Han Solo

Carrie Fisher

Princess Leia

Billy Dee Williams

Lando Calrissian

Anthony Daniels

C-3PO

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back: Trailer 2

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back: Teaser Trailer 1

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Only with the Jedi master's help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse).

Director: Irvin Kershner
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Screenwriter: George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Leigh Brackett
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG (Sci-Fi Action Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 1980, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Nov 19, 1982
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $291.9M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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