The Empire Strikes Back (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 8.4
Released in 1980, The Empire Strikes Back is an action, adventure and science fiction film directed by Irvin Kershner, running about 124 minutes. “The Star Wars saga continues.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. The Empire Strikes Back stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.4/10, The Empire Strikes Back sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue. It went on to earn $538.4M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Disney Plus and YouTube TV and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Empire Strikes Back page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Empire Strikes Back tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Empire Strikes Back (1980)?
- In US, The Empire Strikes Back is available to stream on Disney Plus and YouTube TV, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Empire Strikes Back worth watching?
- The Empire Strikes Back holds an audience score of 8.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action, adventure and science fiction. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Empire Strikes Back?
- The Empire Strikes Back stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels.
- When was The Empire Strikes Back released?
- The Empire Strikes Back was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 124 minutes.