Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford

Three years later Imperial forces continue to pursue the Rebels. After the Rebellion's defeat on the ice planet Hoth, Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived ...( read more  read more... )in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin.

Flixster Users

94% liked it

701,918 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

66 critics

PG, 2 hrs. 4 min.

Directed by: Irvin Kershner

Release Date: December 31, 1980

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: September 21, 2004

Stats: 50,733 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (50,733)


  • October 10, 2006
    Without this entry in the original trilogy, there would no such thing as a dark sequel.
  • August 28, 2009
    My favourite of the series, Irvin Kershner is a over looked director. Odd splashes of incest, deception and revenge, and of course the 'I am you father' bit - Easterners has been ripping it off for years!
  • May 7, 2009
    The best Star Wars film made, dark, brooding, the now famous plot twist and revelation which is pretty much folklore now haha its all near perfect with Empire, the outstanding Hoth battle sequence at the start to the breathtaking Bespin ending and all with the greatest character ...( read more)in villain history included :) Boba Fett :)
    The Yoda middle always kinda bored me I admit, slowed it down but I guess its needed hehe
    Shame Kershner couldnt do the same with Robocop 2.
  • February 24, 2009
    The best of the original trilogy forming the heart of the saga. My sentimental childhood favourite.
  • January 25, 2009
    This is by far the greatest of all the Star Wars movies. The Characters are alot better written, the acting better. And the darker tone of the film is very welcome. This time the Empire have a greater menace, and not just a bunch of bad guys in a flying ball. The film works on ev...( read more)ery level, and the ending leaves you craving more. But for me the iceing on the cake is the Added music score of the Emperial March, the sound of that music pounding out of my speakers is pure goosebump time ! This has to be composer John Williams greatest creation. If you have to buy one Star Wars movie, buy this. A masterclass in SCI-FI escapism !
  • November 7, 2009
    Technically the best of the original trilogy -- far better constructed, thrillingly dark, no cheap gimmicky stuff yet. The brutal crushing power of the Empire. The introduction of the mysterious and dangerous bounty hunters, from Boba Fett and IG-88 to Bossk and Zuckuss and Den...( read more)gar. Various strange worlds, from the ice planet Hoth, to swampy Dagobah, to the gas planet Bespin. The first really great lightsaber duel, between Luke and Vader in the carbon freezing chamber. The awesome scene with the space-worm. The shocking revelation. What's not to like? While Star Wars (pardon me, "A New Hope") has a bit more wonder and pure myth, Empire Strikes Back maintains most of that myth and wonder while coming out on top technically -- so I'd say that puts them about equal.
  • November 4, 2009
    By far, the best original trilogy I've ever seen! Loving everything about it.
  • November 3, 2009
    pretty goo d i liked it
  • November 2, 2009
    My favorite Star Wars Movie and the only one that I haven't lost faith in since the dreaded "Special Editions" of the 1990s and the series ruining Prequel Trilogy of the early 2000s. Even when they remastered, reedited, and added extras to the original films, The Empire Strikes B...( read more)ack was the least effected film when that happened due to the fact that George Lucas himself realized that as film "The Empire Strikes Back" speaks for itself. This film is just flat out good, it transcends the rest of the Star Wars Trilogy and even the Star Wars name itself. This is by far probably the greatest sequel ever made, it surpasses the original in almost every way but especially in the dramatic department. This is the movie that made me care about what happened to the characters a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
  • November 2, 2009
    Clasico de clasicos! La mejor segunda parte de la historia del cine!

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is a visual extravaganza from beginning to end, one of the most visionary and inventive of all films. full review

View more Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • R0L0D3X
    June 29, 2009
    This is the best Star Wars movie.
  • yona71
    November 19, 2008
    I've been a die hard Star Wars fan since the first one came out when I was six, and still am to this day. As I've gotten older, I appreciate Yoda more due to his Eastern like philosophy. As a writer who loves Joseph Campbell's work,it's so evident to me how his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" was used by Lucas to write the saga. I think The Empire Strikes Back shines as the best Star Wars film on many levels of brilliance.
    Cheers
  • Rossjm
    July 2, 2008
    I hate it when people claim it to be "Too geeky". It is nothing of the sort! Just because geeks started to like it, many taking it to far (eg Star Wars conventions), doesn't mean it is geeky.
  • seven21
    June 18, 2008
    Hey Many
  • seven21
    June 18, 2008
    Hey Many
  • seven21
    June 18, 2008
    Hey Many
  • link6969
    June 18, 2008
    Best movie ever made
  • starwarsgal14
    April 20, 2008
    This Star Wars and Star Wars episode 2 are my favorite Star Wars'
  • sithlordsmistress
    February 27, 2008
    this film is one of the best ones , i recall watching it growing up.. I still love it very much.
  • imapepper01
    January 3, 2008
    hmmm i liked the last one better. this is the one where luke becomes ugly because he gets attacked by a yeti. well, really the actor got in a car crash and his face got all screwed up.
    i was so sad :[

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
    Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End (62%)
  • Return of the Ewok
    Return of the Ewok (63%)
  • Star Wars: Clone Wars - Volume 1
    Star Wars: Clone Wars - Volume 1 (64%)
  • Masters of the Universe
    Masters of the Universe (0%)

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Trivia

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire... Trivia


  • The only Star Wars where the ending is in space.  Answer »
  • Harrison Ford (Han Solo) ad libbed his line "I know" in the carbon freezing chamber in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.  Answer »
  • The only Star Wars movie not to have at least one scene on Tatooine.  Answer »
  • The Battle of Hoth took place in what Star Wars movie.  Answer »

Most Popular Skin