10 Highest-Grossing '80s Movies Ranked Worst To Best

Year: 1983

Box Office: $309 million

When you look at the prequel trilogy - and even parts of the sequel trilogy, for that matter - it's ridiculous that Return Of The Jedi has traditionally picked up some flak for how poorly it has aged. Sure, it might be the least successful of the original trilogy, but it's still far better than most sci-fi movies released then or since and it works as a worthy end to the trilogy.

The film's central drive is the conflict between Luke and Vader, just as it should have been, with the spectre of the elder Skywalker looming large over Luke's direction and positively impacting his transformation into an edgier, darker and fundamentally cooler character. This was Mark Hamill's high-point (still is, in fact) and that main dynamic is deeply compelling.

On top of that, we get the high-points of the lightsaber duel and the "twist" end and a surprisingly caper-like feel at times for a film with such darkness behind it. Sadly, there's no getting around the fact that the Ewoks - ostensibly another of those merch-selling drivers for LucasFilm - spoiled the film entirely for lots of people. But more concerning should be the issues with directing finesse and the script, which mostly seem to get a pass in the shadow of how hilariously furious people get at those little furry aliens.