Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) is the second film in the original Star Wars trilogy. It picks up where the first movie, A New Hope, left off. The Rebel Alliance is hiding on the icy planet Hoth from the Empire. After a battle, they are forced to flee, and Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO travel across the galaxy. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker journeys to the swampy planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda.

While Luke trains, Darth Vader and the Empire continue their pursuit. Han, Leia, and the others end up in Cloud City, where they are betrayed by Lando Calrissian. Luke faces off with Darth Vader, and in a shocking twist, Vader reveals that he is Luke's father. The film ends on a cliffhanger, with Han Solo captured and frozen in carbonite, while Luke and Leia regroup to fight another day.

It’s a darker, more complex chapter, setting up the final confrontation in Return of the Jedi.