The best Star Wars movie, widely recognized by critics and fans alike, is "The Empire Strikes Back" (Episode V). It is praised for being a darker, more urgent, and richer sequel that expands the Star Wars universe significantly. It introduced iconic characters like Yoda and Lando Calrissian, featured memorable story twists such as Darth Vader's reveal as Luke's father, and included epic scenes like the AT-AT Walker battle. Many consider it not only the best Star Wars film but also one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made. Other top contenders often ranked just behind "The Empire Strikes Back" are "A New Hope" (Episode IV), which started the franchise and is credited with incredible world-building and character introductions, and "Return of the Jedi" (Episode VI), which concludes the original trilogy on an epic and satisfying note. "The Last Jedi" (Episode VIII) also receives praise for its boldness and mature character development, although it has a more mixed reception among the fan community. Additionally, "Revenge of the Sith" (Episode III) is regarded highly for its emotional depth and connecting the prequel trilogy to the original saga.