The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas. The sequel to Star Wars (1977),[b] it is the second film in the Star Wars film series and the fifth chronological chapter of the "Skywalker Saga". Set three years after the events of Star Wars, the film recounts the battle between the malevolent Galactic Empire, led by the Emperor, and the Rebel Alliance, led by Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. As the Empire goes on the offensive, Luke trains to master the Force so he can confront the Emperor's powerful disciple, Darth Vader.
Rankings of all Star Wars films with Empire being Rated as the number 1film https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/star-wars-how-watch-best-worst-ranking-george-lucas-a4431266.html#:~:text=Empire%20Strikes%20Back%20is%20widely,the%20viewer%20far%2C%20far%20further.