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The 25 best science fiction movies of all time

What are the best movies about mysterious planets, visitors from other worlds, and the future on our very own Earth? Check out our picks!

5. 'Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi'

Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM/AP
'Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi' stars Carrie Fisher (l.) and Mark Hamill (r.).

The culmination of George Lucas's original "Star Wars" trilogy, "The Return of the Jedi" follows Jedi knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Following a series of bitter defeats in the trilogy's middle chapter, Luke struggles to come to terms with the knowledge that villain Darth Vader (David Prowse with voice by James Earl Jones) is his father. Meanwhile, the soldiers of the Rebel Alliance continue their war against the evil Galactic Empire and its new super-weapon, a second Death Star.

While some decry the presence of the cuddly Ewoks, the power of the father-son story between Luke and the man who was once Anakin Skywalker still resonates.

The actor who appears as Darth Vader when Luke takes Vader's helmet off (and who appears with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda at the end of the film) is neither Prowse nor Jones – actor Sebastian Shaw, who appears in the scenes, was cast only for "Jedi."

Don't worry, "Star Wars" fans – this won't be the last movie in the series to appear on this list. 

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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