When Star Wars: Return of the Jedi hit theaters in 1983, it didn’t just cap off the original Star Wars trilogy—it dominated the box office, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year and cementing its place in cinematic history. Directed by Richard Marquand and built on the expansive universe created by George Lucas, the film delivered a powerful mix of action, emotion, and unforgettable moments, helping solidify its reputation as one of the greatest movies of all time.
The film starred Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, and Carrie Fisher as the iconic Princess Leia. According to Box Office Mojo, the film had a budget of $32.5 million and was a complete box office smash, grossing $252 million domestically.
Critics had mixed reviews on the film, despite its success. In fact, Return of the Jedi—though it’s widely considered one of the best movies of all time—received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 83%.
“It’s everything it should be. No, it’s more. It’s everything it could be,” wrote Stephen Hunter of The Baltimore Sun.
“Return of the Jedi, the final act of George Lucas’ first Star Wars trilogy, is the best one yet,” said the Boston Globe’s Michael Blowen.
The movie is still a topic of discussion on various message boards and social media platforms, such as Reddit, where fans continue to debate where it falls in the Star Wars ranking—and whether it truly deserves a spot among the very best in the saga.
Return of the Jedi will celebrate its 43rd anniversary on May 25. For many Warsies, this means its time for a full watch.
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.