Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Name: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Director: Irvin Kershner
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Released: 1980-06-18
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 8.7
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

After the Empire overpowers the Rebel Alliance, Luke Skywalker begins training with Jedi Master Yoda, while Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett pursue his friends across the galaxy.

Trailer

Director

Irvin Kershner

Studio

N/A

Release

18 Jun 1980

Runtime

124 min

Genres

Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Cast & Characters

Mark Hamill

Harrison Ford

Carrie Fisher

Did You Know?

Critical Assessment

IMDb

8.7/10

RT Critics

93%

Metacritic

82/100

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back holds 8.7/10 on IMDb (1,495,152 votes), 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82/100 on Metacritic.

Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.

Ratings as of 2026-07-30

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AI Verdict

AI-generated

Based on aggregated scores (8.7/10 on IMDb (1,495,152 votes), 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Fan & Critic Buzz

AI Summary

The film received positive reviews, with some critics finding it engaging despite its flaws, while others praised its epic scope and iconic characters. Reviews noted that the film was a worthy sequel, feeling like a significant moment in the franchise. Some reviewers also criticized the film for being overly simplistic, featuring little furry creatures as Jedi.

Reviews

**Overrated ** An enjoyable film - just not as engaging as parts IV and VI. The argument that Jedi was ruined by little furry creatures is laughable as this instalment features a _little green muppet_. I was expecting Kermit and Miss Piggy to show up. Once we get the impressive H…
Ian Beale · 4/10
A masterpiece of cinema. The film transcends the franchise, seamlessly combining elements of myth, science fiction, fantasy, war film, romance, bildungsroman, epic and tragedy in a way that its sequels have been unable to replicate. It is a move without a moment of fluff. Cut any…
mindfroth · 10/10
It's a dark time for the rebellion; and us the audience as well. Luke, Leia and Han are fighting with the rebels in the hope of defeating the Imperial forces. But Luke gets a calling to the planet Dagobah, where under the tutelage of Jedi Master, Yoda, he hopes to become a Jedi h…
John Chard · 10/10
_**Fun, imaginative, iconic space adventure with a kick-axx cast**_ "Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) was the anticipated follow-up to the initial mega-hit blockbuster from 1977. It’s an epic, but simplistic space fantasy about an evil empire and the noble souls who d…
Wuchak · 7/10
Terrific, again. <em>'The Empire Strikes Back'</em> follows up on the greatness of <em>'Star Wars'</em> with a highly enjoyable sequel. This one feels like a big moment in the franchise, at least to someone who doesn't know what's upcoming, as we get sizeable moments alongside so…
r96sk · 9/10
So, I was almost 1 when this movie dropped and, well, it started the opening night tradition. OK, well, how to do this? I guess we will start with the hate. I like to address the hate in movies, especially ones that are well regarded and loved. Now, I'll excuse it for the people…
GenerationofSwine · 10/10
I have reviewed this film before but I thought that it deserved an extra special mention. Yesterday, this was the first film I saw in a cinema since we were all confined to barracks - and boy what a cracker. Where to start with the superlatives? It's fantastic - right from the op…
CinemaSerf · 9/10
Watched one my favorite sequels, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back . The Cast Was Stellar With Mark Hamill(Corvette Summer) as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford(Indiana Jones and The Raiders Of The Lost Ark) as Han Solo ,The Lovely Carrie Fisher() as Leia Organa, Peter Mayhew as Che…
Joogle83 · 8/10

From the trailer's comments

I can almost see Harrison Ford rolling his eyes while reading the script for this trailer.
@Bluesmith166 · 2943 likes
"And Romance" *cuts to Brother Sister kiss*
@RogueEagle · 4872 likes
Could Harrison say it in a more sarcastic tone?
@AliTaylor777 · 1131 likes
"A galactic odyssey against oppression". Cuts to C3-PO tearing off a hazard sign on a door. 2 edgy 4 me.
@Fallenangelzelos · 975 likes
while the movie still felt modern, this trailer is sooooo 70's...
@RandomUserX99 · 3155 likes
When you learn Harrison Ford did the voiceover for this trailer 😳
@ZFFertig97 · 3214 likes
"Continuing the adventures of our band of heroes..." *Luke drops dead* "Luke Skywalker !"
@The94Venom · 1212 likes
"It's an epic of romance!" Cuts to Vader torturing Han.
@Cybermat47 · 361 likes