The best Star Wars film, without any caveat or question whatsoever. Working from a script by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, director Irvin Kershner injected a real sense of tension and darkness into George Lucas’ space fantasy.

Of course, the film is best known for its revelation concerning Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, one of the best plot twists in movie history. (If you need a little pick-me-up, just watch some reaction videos of people hearing Vader’s portentous announcement for the first time.) But The Empire Strikes Back also makes Luke’s quest to become a Jedi like his father a perilous one, introduces the mysterious Yoda, and features some of the best battles in all of sci-fi.

The Millennium Falcon’s asteroid chase is still as thrilling as ever and even shows us some of the Star Wars galaxy’s more interesting fauna. The AT-AT walkers on Hoth are as ridiculous as they are menacing. And finally, there’s Luke and Vader’s epic lightsaber duel throughout the otherworldly Cloud City, which culminates in that devastating and mind-blowing twist.