Return of the Jedi (1983)
Return to a galaxy far far away.
Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, the Emperor prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, and the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 25 May 1983 |
| Genre | Adventure, Action, Science Fiction |
| Director | Richard Marquand |
| Starring | Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher |
| Runtime | 132 min |
| Rated | PG |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.3/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 83% · Metacritic 58/100 · IMDb 8.3/10 · TMDB users 7.9/10 |
| Budget | $33 million |
| Box office | $475 million worldwide |
Where to watch Return of the Jedi
Return of the Jedi is streaming on Disney+ ($15.99 a month) in the US. If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Disney+ is $15.99 at list price.
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What kind of watch this is
Return of the Jedi is a 1983 science fiction adventure. It runs 132 minutes. The tone shifts from the swampy, comedic misery of Jabba’s palace to the sterile, high-stakes tension of the Death Star. Richard Marquand directs a cast of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. It is the definitive end to the saga, and it knows it.
What the critics said
Rotten Tomatoes sits at 83% as of January 2026, while Metacritic lands on 58. Roger Ebert gave it four stars, calling it "a complete entertainment," and Gene Siskel shared the highest rating, describing a "childlike delight." Gary Arnold saw "a feat of mass enchantment." Not everyone agreed. Vincent Canby called it the "dimmest adventure" of the trilogy, and Pauline Kael found the imagery lackluster. The scores are high, but the opinions are not.
How it did with audiences
Against a $32 million budget, it took in $475 million worldwide, with $309 million of that coming from the United States. That is a ratio that makes accountants smile and producers nod. On TMDB, users rate it 7.9 out of 10. IMDb audiences give it an 8.3/10 as of March 2026.
Where it left its mark
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes praise the film as an entertaining sci-fi adventure that fits the trilogy’s end, even if it lacks the cinematic heights of its predecessors. Metacritic scores it a mixed 58/100. Audiences, however, gave it a rare A+. James Kendrick called it the weakest original film, relying on slick commercialism, yet still magnificent. James Berardinelli found it the least innovative but a must-see for fans. The Ewok battle scene drew questions about realism, though Lucas defended it as a distraction inspired by the Vietnam War.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Return of the Jedi.
Read more: The Empire Strikes Back · Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Sources
- Return of the Jedi on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q181803 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Return of the Jedi” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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