The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
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.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 20 May 1980 |
| Genre | Adventure, Action, Science Fiction |
| Director | Irvin Kershner |
| Starring | Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher |
| Runtime | 124 min |
| Rated | PG |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 9/10 · Metacritic 82/100 · Rotten Tomatoes 93% · IMDb 8.7/10 · TMDB users 8.4/10 |
| Budget | $18 million |
Where to watch The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back 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
The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 science fiction adventure that takes the Star Wars saga into darker, colder territory. It runs 124 minutes and swaps the bright heroics of the first film for genuine stakes. Luke Skywalker gets to learn from Yoda, which means he has to leave his comfort zone and his friends behind. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Princess Leia face capture, betrayal, and despair. The tone is less triumphant and more exhausted. It is the movie that makes the first one feel like a warm-up.
How it did with audiences
It cost $18 million and took in $548 million worldwide, a ratio that defies standard accounting logic. In the US, it earned $293 million. On TMDB, users rate it 8.4 out of 10. IMDb gives it an 8.7/10 as of March 2026. The studio limited the opening run to 126 theaters to make tickets hard to find, a move that turned scarcity into demand.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched The Empire Strikes Back.
Read more: Star Wars: The Force Awakens · Return of the Jedi · Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Sources
- The Empire Strikes Back on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q181795 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “The Empire Strikes Back” 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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