Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Movie, 1980, Age of Rebellion, Set in 3 ABY
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is #2 of 20 in release order and #11 of 20 in chronological order in the Star Wars.
The story
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.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back recap
Luke is attacked by a wampa and nearly freezes before Han finds him. Then the Empire finds the rebel base on the ice planet Hoth and attacks with walkers, scattering the rebels. Following a vision of Obi-Wan, Luke flies to Dagobah to train with the Jedi Master Yoda. Han, Leia, Chewbacca and C-3PO escape in the Falcon, hide in an asteroid field, and fall back on Cloud City, run by Han's old friend Lando Calrissian. Han and Leia fall in love. Lando has already made a deal with Vader, who uses Han and Leia as bait for Luke. Han is frozen in carbonite after Leia tells him she loves him, and handed to the bounty hunter Boba Fett. Sensing his friends in danger, Luke leaves his training unfinished to save them.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back ending explained
Luke duels Vader, who cuts off his hand and tells him he is his father. Luke lets himself fall rather than join him and is rescued by Leia, Lando and Chewbacca in the Falcon. Han is gone with Boba Fett. Luke gets a robotic hand, and Lando and Chewbacca set off in the Falcon to find Han, while Luke, Leia and the droids watch from the rebel fleet.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is streaming on Disney+, fuboTV, and YouTube TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes 93%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Star Wars: A New Hope, before Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.
- Chronological order: after Star Wars: A New Hope, before Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.
What to watch before Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), which Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) continues.
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
- David Prowse as Darth Vader
- Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
- Kenny Baker as R2-D2
- Frank Oz as Yoda (Voice)
- Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett
- Jason Wingreen as Boba Fett (voice - uncredited)
Directed by Irvin Kershner.