Movie · Sci-fi, Action · 1983 · PG

Return of the Jedi: parents' guide

Name: Return of the Jedi
Released: 1983

8+our pick

Best for ages 8 and up. Rated PG.

A rousing finish to the original trilogy that suits most kids who enjoyed the first two films. The opening at Jabba's palace is the roughest stretch: a dancer is dropped into a monster's pit and eaten, and Leia is held on a chain in a skimpy metal bikini while Jabba leers at her. Later battles have many bloodless deaths, the Emperor tortures Luke with lightning, and two beloved characters die, one of them a parent with his son at his side. Language is basically clean. We suggest 8 and up; younger kids may struggle with the rancor and the Emperor.

What's in it

Violence

Moderate

Blaster fights, a speeder-bike chase and a huge space battle with many mostly bloodless deaths. Jabba feeds a dancer to a rancor, Leia strangles Jabba with her chain, Luke cuts off Vader's mechanical hand, and the Emperor electrocutes Luke at length.

Language

None

No profanity reported. Insults stay at the level of "scum" and Han's colorful name-calling of Jabba.

Sex and nudity

Mild

Leia is forced into a revealing gold bikini while chained to Jabba, who leers and slurps at her, and dancers in skimpy outfits perform for him. Han and Leia kiss and declare their love. No nudity.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

Mild

Jabba's court drinks what are presumably intoxicating beverages, served by R2-D2, and a creature briefly smokes a pipe. No one is shown drunk.

Scary or intense scenes

Moderate

The rancor pit, the Sarlacc, droids tortured with hot irons, the Emperor's cruelty and a scarred face revealed under a mask are tense for young kids. Two major characters die, one of them a parent, and an Ewok mourns a fallen friend.

Sensitive topics

Death of a parent

Worth talking about

Luke refuses to give up on his father even when it puts him in danger. Is anyone beyond redemption, and what does it take to believe someone can change?

Where to stream →

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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Plugged In, bbfc.co.uk, movieguide.org. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.