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Movies like

The Empire Strikes Back

Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.

The Empire Strikes Back poster

Why people love it

People revisit The Empire Strikes Back for the same reason it broke through in 1980: clear stakes, memorable faces, and a action rhythm that doesn't stall in the middle. Irvin Kershner keeps the ensemble pointed in one direction. The adventure and action blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.

adventureactionscience-fictioncrowd-favorite

Runtime 2h 4m · ★ 8.4

Your 10 recommendations

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Showing 10 of 10 picks

  1. 96match

    1.Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

    ★ 7.9 · Action · Science Fiction · Adventure · 2h 1m

    Why you'll love it

    There's a reason The Empire Strikes Back fans keep landing on Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) — the adventure is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.

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  2. 94match

    2.Star Wars (1977)

    ★ 8.2 · Adventure · Action · Science Fiction · 2h 1m

    Why you'll love it

    Star Wars draws from the same adventure well as The Empire Strikes Back, channeling action in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 1977 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.

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  3. 92match

    3.Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

    ★ 7.3 · Adventure · Action · Science Fiction · 2h 16m

    Why you'll love it

    Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) captures the adventure appeal of The Empire Strikes Back without simply imitating it. The action streak running through both films is what puts Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.

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  4. 90match

    4.Return of the Jedi (1983)

    ★ 7.9 · Adventure · Action · Science Fiction · 2h 12m

    Why you'll love it

    The adventure appeal of The Empire Strikes Back — that tense edge, the action — translates cleanly into Return of the Jedi (1983). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.

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  5. 88match

    5.Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

    ★ 7.5 · Action · Adventure · Science Fiction · 2h 13m

    Why you'll love it

    The filmmakers behind Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) clearly understood what makes adventure work — the same quality that keeps The Empire Strikes Back rewatchable. Expect the same tense rhythm, executed with a fresh angle.

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  6. 86match

    6.Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

    ★ 6.8 · Adventure · Action · Science Fiction · 2h 32m

    Why you'll love it

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) is the kind of film The Empire Strikes Back fans discover and immediately send to their group chat. The adventure overlap is real, but it's the tense emotional pull that seals the recommendation.

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  7. 84match

    7.Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

    ★ 6.6 · Adventure · Action · Science Fiction · 2h 16m

    Why you'll love it

    Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace shares The Empire Strikes Back's gift for adventure — the 1999 film delivers action without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.

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  8. 82match

    8.Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

    ★ 7.5 · Adventure · Action · Science Fiction · 2h 20m

    Why you'll love it

    Much of what makes The Empire Strikes Back compelling — the adventure, the action — shows up in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) in a slightly different form. Both films understand that tense storytelling works best when it trusts the audience.

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    • Disney Plus
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  9. 80match

    9.Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

    ★ 6.6 · Adventure · Action · Science Fiction · 2h 22m

    Why you'll love it

    The adventure energy of The Empire Strikes Back is alive in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), filtered through a different story but the same emotional register. It earns its place on this list with a tense payoff that rivals the original pick.

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  10. 78match

    10.Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

    ★ 6.3 · Adventure · Action · Science Fiction · 2h 22m

    Why you'll love it

    Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) operates in the same adventure as The Empire Strikes Back, but with its own distinct voice and pacing. The tense payoff will feel satisfyingly familiar without retreading the same ground.

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    • Disney Plus
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FAQ

What should I watch after The Empire Strikes Back?
Try Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—each shares DNA with The Empire Strikes Back while changing the setting enough to feel fresh.
What genre is The Empire Strikes Back?
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) is best described as Adventure, Action, Science Fiction. Stores and algorithms use different labels, but that mix is what fans actually recognize on a rewatch.
Is The Empire Strikes Back part of a franchise?
Yes—it's part of the "Star Wars Collection" storyline. You can enjoy it standalone, but sequels and tie-ins build on characters and continuity established here.

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