Star Wars
Relive the original 'Star Wars' trilogy
May 1, 2026, 12:56 p.m. ET

Take a look back at the original "Star Wars" trilogy, starting with "Episode IV: A New Hope" (1977).
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The cast of "Star Wars" includes (from left) Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Harrison Ford as Han Solo.
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And Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness).
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Of course, there's also Darth Vader (David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones).
Fox VideoThis battle is pretty important.
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Luke and Leia make some impressive leaps.
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Jabba the Hutt was added in later versions of the movie.
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The original movie was award-worthy!
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In "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980), we were introduced to a bunch of new characters.
Sony MusicIncluding Master Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) ...
Lucasfilm... And Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams).
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We got to see Tauntauns on the cold planet of Hoth.
LucasfilmLuke would have frozen to death, were it not for Han's help.
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Luke got to show off his flying skills ...
Lucasfilm... and helped defend against AT-AT walkers.
LucasfilmAnd things between Leia and Han got intimate.
LucasfilmBest buds R2-D2 and C-3PO are usually on hand.
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Finally, "Return of the Jedi" came out in 1983.
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The whole gang was there: Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), Leia, Luke, Han and C-3PO.
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Leia was enslaved by Jabba the Hutt.
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But she escaped.
20th Century FoxThe Emperor (Ian McDiarmid)? Boo!
LucasfilmThe Millennium Falcon? Yay!
LucasfilmIt took some time for those cute Ewoks to come around and help out our crew, including a tied-up Han.
LucasfilmAnd everybody remembers this scene.
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