Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Movie, 1983, Age of Rebellion, Set in 4 ABY
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is #3 of 20 in release order and #12 of 20 in chronological order in the Star Wars.
The story
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.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi recap
Luke, now a Jedi, leads his friends in rescuing Han from Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine; Leia strangles Jabba with the chain he used to hold her, and Boba Fett falls into the Sarlacc. Luke returns to Dagobah to finish his training. A dying Yoda confirms Vader is Luke's father, and Obi-Wan's ghost tells Luke that Leia is his twin sister. The Empire is building a second Death Star over the forest moon of Endor, and the Emperor himself is aboard. Han and Leia lead a strike team to the moon to bring down the shield generator, with the help of the Ewoks, while Lando leads the fleet. The Emperor arrives to oversee the battle himself. Luke surrenders to Vader, believing there is still good in him, and is brought before the Emperor.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi ending explained
The Emperor goads Luke into fighting Vader, and Luke cuts off his father's hand, then throws away his lightsaber. As the Emperor kills Luke with lightning, Vader throws him down a shaft, mortally wounded. Anakin dies unmasked in Luke's arms. Lando destroys the Death Star, and Luke burns his father's body. The rebels celebrate, and Luke sees the ghosts of Obi-Wan, Yoda and Anakin.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is streaming on Disney+ and fuboTV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 83%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, before Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
- Chronological order: after Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, before The Mandalorian.
What to watch before Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
In release order, the essentials before Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) are Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
Cast
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
- Harrison Ford as Han Solo
- Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia
- Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
- Sebastian Shaw as Anakin Skywalker
- Ian McDiarmid as The Emperor
- Frank Oz as Yoda (voice)
- James Earl Jones as Darth Vader (voice)
- David Prowse as Darth Vader
- Alec Guinness as Ben 'Obi-Wan' Kenobi
Directed by Richard Marquand.