The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Adventure, Action, Science Fiction • 2h 4m
Overview
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.
Director: Irvin Kershner
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz, Alec Guinness, Jeremy Bulloch, Jason Wingreen, John Hollis, Jack Purvis, Des Webb, Kathryn Mullen, Marjorie Eaton, Clive Revill, Kenneth Colley, Julian Glover, Michael Sheard, Michael Culver, John Dicks, Milton Johns, Mark Jones, Oliver Maguire, Robin Scobey, Bruce Boa, Christopher Malcolm, Denis Lawson, Richard Oldfield, John Morton, Ian Liston, John Ratzenberger, Jack McKenzie, Jerry Harte, Norman Chancer, Norwich Duff, Ray Hassett, Brigitte Kahn, Burnell Tucker, Bob Anderson, Lightning Bear, Richard Bonehill, John Cannon, Mark Capri, Martin Dew, Peter Diamond, Stuart Fell, Tony Smart, Alan Harris, James Earl Jones, Mac McDonald, Ralph McQuarrie, Ralph G. Morse, Terry Richards, Treat Williams, Shaun Curry, Alan Austen, Jim Dowdall, Tom Egeland, Alan Flyng, Trevor Butterfield, Mercedes Burleigh, Jane Busby, Maurice Bush, Tony Clarkin, Mike Edmonds, Walter Henry, Paul Jerricho, Joe Johnston, Steven Meek, Peter Roy, Stephanie English, Michael Leader, Egbert Sen, Elaine Alexander, Colin Hunt, Ian McDiarmid
High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut
High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut, Disney 4K Blu-ray is disappointing
High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut
High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut, Disney 4K Blu-ray is disappointing
Director: Ron Howard
Director: Ron Howard
Director: George Lucas
OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.
Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.
OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.
Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.
Director: George Lucas
OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.
Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.
OG: "4K77" or "D+77" on high seas.
Special Edition: "4K97" or "D+97_IV" on high seas.
4K83 for OG version on high seas
4K83 for OG version on high seas
4K83 has OG mix
4K83 for OG version on high seas
4K83 for OG version on high seas
4K83 has OG mix
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
High seas for recreated Theatrical Cut or HDTV rip, Disney 4K Blu-ray is a mediocre upscale.
Director: Orson Welles
MoC 4K Blu-ray and Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray are similar
Director: Orson Welles
MoC 4K Blu-ray and Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray are similar
Director: Robert Wise
Disney 4K Blu-ray, see caps https://slow.pics/c/hE3HUCdj
Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.
All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.
Director: Robert Wise
Disney 4K Blu-ray, see caps https://slow.pics/c/hE3HUCdj
Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.
All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.
Director: André de Toth
2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray
3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray
2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray
3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray
Director: André de Toth
2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray
3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray
2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray
3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray
Director: Sidney Lumet
2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray
2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio
Director: Sidney Lumet
2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray
2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio
Director: John McTiernan
Director: John McTiernan
Director: John Ford
Director: John Ford
1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)
1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release
1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)
1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release
Director: Alfred E. Green
Director: Alfred E. Green
Director: John Waters
Director: John Waters
Director: Irvin Kershner
Director: Irvin Kershner
Edit History
5/2/2026
Best English-Friendly Release
From
Disney 4K Blu-ray or high seas for the OG Theatrical Cut
To
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray
From
Disney 4K Blu-ray or high seas for the OG Theatrical Cut
To
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray
Best Video Release
From
For the Special Editions, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
Fan version available too for the OG Theatrical Cut
To
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
Special Editon: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
From
For the Special Editions, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
Fan version available too for the OG Theatrical Cut
To
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
Special Editon: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
4/29/2026
Best English-Friendly Release
From
Disney 4K or high seas for the OG Theatrical Cut
To
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray
From
Disney 4K or high seas for the OG Theatrical Cut
To
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray
Best Video Release
From
For the Special Editions, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
Fan version available too for the OG Theatrical Cut
To
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
Special Editon: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
From
For the Special Editions, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
Fan version available too for the OG Theatrical Cut
To
OG: "4K80" on the high seas
Special Editon: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
11/3/2025
Best English-Friendly Release
From
Disney 4K or high seas
To
Disney 4K or high seas for the OG Theatrical Cut
From
Disney 4K or high seas
To
Disney 4K or high seas for the OG Theatrical Cut
Best Video Release
From
For the Special Editions, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues). Fan version available too
To
For the Special Editions, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
Fan version available too for the OG Theatrical Cut
From
For the Special Editions, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues). Fan version available too
To
For the Special Editions, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).
Fan version available too for the OG Theatrical Cut
