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Movie · Sci-fi, Action · 1980 · PG

The Empire Strikes Back: parents' guide

9+our pick

Best for ages 9 and up. Rated PG for sci-fi action violence.

The darkest of the original trilogy and still a family favorite, best for kids who handled the first film well. The action is bigger and more personal: a snow monster hangs Luke upside down in a lair strewn with bones, a hero is tortured offscreen and then frozen in carbonite, and a lightsaber duel ends with a hand cut off. A huge revelation about family can upset sensitive viewers. Romance is a few kisses and bickering flirtation, and the language is very mild. We suggest 9 and up; the ending leaves the heroes in real trouble.

What's in it

Violence

Moderate

Space and ground battles with many deaths, giant walkers attacking soldiers, and Vader Force-choking officers. A monster's arm is cut off with some blood, a tauntaun is sliced open to show its insides, and Luke's hand is severed in a duel.

Language

Mild

Very mild: one "hell," "shut up" a few times, and insults like "nerf herder," "half-witted" and "fuzzball." A droid makes an untranslated rude remark.

Sex and nudity

Mild

Han and Leia flirt, bicker and share several passionate kisses, with a little innuendo. Leia kisses Luke on purpose to annoy Han. Luke is seen in his underwear in a healing tank.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

None

No drinking, smoking or drug use is shown, even in the scenes at Lando's city in the clouds.

Scary or intense scenes

Moderate

A monster's lair, a cave vision where Luke beheads Vader and finds his own face beneath the mask, Han's screams during offscreen torture and his freezing in carbonite. After a shocking family revelation, Luke lets himself fall down a deep shaft rather than join Vader.

Sensitive topics

  • Animal death

Worth talking about

Yoda tells Luke that size matters not and asks him to trust what he can't see. Talk about a time when patience or practice mattered more than strength.

Where to stream →

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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, bbfc.co.uk, Wikipedia, shmoop.com. 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.