Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was released in 1980. It premiered theatrically on May 17, 1980, before its wider United States release on May 21, and became the second film released in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Although George Lucas created the story and served as executive producer, Irvin Kershner directed the film. The screenplay was developed by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan. Set three years after the first Star Wars, the story follows the Rebel Alliance as Darth Vader and the Empire launch an aggressive campaign against it.
The film expanded the series with major characters and settings, including Yoda, the icy Rebel base on Hoth, and Cloud City. Its famous revelation about Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker became one of cinema’s most recognizable twists.
A common mix-up comes from the film’s episode number. The Empire Strikes Back is Episode V, but it was the second Star Wars movie released. The later prequel trilogy explains why the release order and story chronology do not match.