Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Parents' Guide to

Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

By Charles Cassady Jr., Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

The best of the original series, but the most intense, too.

Movie PG 1980 124 minutes
Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 8+

Based on 46 parent reviews

Dunger
Dunger Parent of 9-year-old
January 20, 2023
age 8+

Well made for the 80s

It is an increadible movie with amazing scenes. There is some violence but it does not look too realistic. I warn you if you have not watched this movie there is a scene where Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader battle ( though I will not spoil to you all what happens ). It might just be a little bit creepy for sensitive people ( not including adults). Nevetheless the film is incredibly done.

This title has:

Great messages
3 people found this helpful.
doctora
doctora Parent of 6-year-old
May 26, 2023
age 7+

Complex characters in a big budget movie!

This film has grown on me over the years and it is now my favorite of the original trilogy (like for so many others). It is a joy to see the arc of Lando Calrissian and see how the plot, the chasing, the fights, and the twists and turns envelop each character which feels like they are all on their own trajectory that keeps them all in pieces, like C-3PO. Why must it be so difficult to have complex characters in a big budget movie...when you have it done so well in this 1980 extravaganza.
See all 46 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The focus of EMPIRE STRIKES BACK is on the pursuit of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and the other rebel heroes by the cyborg villain Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones). The story gets moving with an outburst of violence, as Luke is mauled by a Yeti-like monster on the ice planet where the rebels are hiding. Luke, looking to sharpen his powers of the Force, seeks out a long-lost master named Yoda for some serious training in the Eastern-religion style mysticism required to be a fabled Jedi knight. Meanwhile, Vader and his fleet of marauding starships hunt Luke's friends, all fleeing aboard the ramshackle ship of galactic fortune-hunter Han Solo (Harrison Ford), who maintains a bickering romance in this one with Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher). Of course the real payoff of this plot is when Luke confronts Darth Vader in single combat, and learns the dreadful secret of his family tree.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (46 ):
Kids say (179 ):

By many opinions, this is the very best in the Star Wars series. To 1980 audiences (who did not have the benefit of The Phantom Menace and its follow-ups) it was a breathtaking surprise, a hugely entertaining mix of sci-fi spectacle, fantasy, and funny robots.

George Lucas did not direct, but handed the reins to a time-proven but relatively unsung director named Irvin Kershner, who delivered a space spectacle that is true to the Joseph Campbell mythology and fairy-tale wonder of the first Star Wars Episode IV. But The Empire Strikes Back stands apart from the rest in terms of mature, straight-ahead storytelling. It's significant as the only Star Wars feature that doesn't have a big "cantina" scene in which the filmmakers overindulge in cramming the frame with all the wacky aliens they can.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how they've been impacted by the heavy merchandising for Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and the others in the series. Do you think movies are over-merchandised? Are there too many products on sale to promote movies? Can you think of some movies that seem created primarily to sell toys and other products?

  • How is the tone of this movie different from the first one? Do you think this is a better film than the first? Why are sequels usually worse than the original?

  • Why is this movie considered a classic?

  • How do the characters in Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back demonstrate self-control, perseverance, and courage? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate