Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

PG

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2h 4m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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95%

111 Reviews

Tomatometer

97%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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

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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

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“Empire” launched Star Wars to heights that neither George Lucas or the world could have expected. And for many kids in the early 80s (like me), “Empire” etched Star Wars so deeply into from our childhoods that it left a permanent mark.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 16, 2022

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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

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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

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Audience Member

It's just perfect. The second best star wars movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

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Sean D

Quality sequel to New Hope! Engages you right away in the plot. Acting lacks a little. Overall, quality sci fi movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

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smg A

One of the greatest movies of all time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

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Ash P

This is considered one of the better sequels of the entire Star Wars franchise along with the movies. Better than A New Hope when it comes to the Original Trilogy. Still got some of the outdated effects but everything else still holds up when it comes to the other effects, especially Yoda as a puppet property from Jim Henson, a legend. Drama and even the action has been made improved between the main trio and the rest of the cast. Great twists from a great sequel that it's considered one of the best out of every Star Wars movies out there while leading its way to the finale of the Original Trilogy. 9/10.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/24

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: George Lucas
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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