Return of the Jedi
A joyful space-opera finale sends Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance into a last stand against the Galactic Empire.
Overview
A climactic battle for freedom unfolds in a galaxy far, far away.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- exhilarating
- playful
- sincere
- family movie night
- nostalgic rewatch
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as imaginative, visually spectacular, emotionally satisfying blockbuster entertainment, while some found it less fresh and less exciting than its predecessors.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Luke's confrontation with Darth Vader and the emperor makes compassion and resistance to the Dark Side central to the climax.
Luke's confrontation with the emperor and Vader is paired with the Rebel Alliance's assault and the ground mission involving Han, Leia, and their allies.
The Rebel Alliance wages a large-scale campaign against the Galactic Empire across space and planetary environments.
The film's spacecraft, creatures, droids, environments, and space battles are presented through extensive practical and model-based effects work.
Films like Return of the Jedi, and why
Star Wars
shared space opera spectacle, rebellion against authoritarian power, ensemble adventure, and mythic heroism
The Empire Strikes Back
shared science fiction adventure, large-scale space battles, charismatic ensemble, and heightened visual world-building
Guardians of the Galaxy
shared epic science fiction adventure, heroic resistance, fantastical creatures, and effects-driven spectacle
The Last Starfighter
shared family-friendly space adventure, comic sidekicks, interstellar conflict, and uplifting heroic tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Marquand
- Release Date
- 1983-05-25
- Runtime
- 132 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (17358)
Cast
- Mark Hamill
- Harrison Ford
- Carrie Fisher
- Billy Dee Williams
- Anthony Daniels
- Peter Mayhew
- Sebastian Shaw
- Ian McDiarmid
- Frank Oz
- James Earl Jones
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Return of the Jedi about?
- A joyful space-opera finale sends Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance into a last stand against the Galactic Empire.
- What is Return of the Jedi like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Return of the Jedi as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Return of the Jedi violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Return of the Jedi as mild.
- What did critics think of Return of the Jedi?
- Critics broadly praised the film as imaginative, visually spectacular, emotionally satisfying blockbuster entertainment, while some found it less fresh and less exciting than its predecessors.
- Which films are like Return of the Jedi?
- Films with a similar feel include Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Last Starfighter.
- How long is Return of the Jedi?
- Return of the Jedi runs 132 minutes.
- Where can I watch Return of the Jedi?
- In United States, Return of the Jedi streams on Disney Plus.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones2002
- Star Wars1977
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial1982
- Avengers: Infinity War2018
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story2016
- Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy2004
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King2003
- The Mandalorian and Grogu2026
- Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest2007
- The Empire Strikes Back1980
