Return of the Jedi (1983) filming locations

Smith River, United States

Former Miller-Rellim timber property on Morrison Creek Road, near Smith River, in northern California — the privately owned site has been logged and cleared since filming.

The scene : The Endor forest and the bulk of the action scenes featuring the Ewoks among the giant sequoias.

Carlotta, United States

Coastal redwood grove of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, near Carlotta, in Humboldt County (California).

The scene : The famous speeder bike chase through the forest of Endor.

United States

Sector of dunes in Buttercup Valley, west of Yuma, in the Algodones Dunes of southeastern California.

The scene : The desert of Tatooine: the Great Pit of Carkoon (the Sarlacc), Jabba's sail barge and the battle above the abyss.

United States

Canyon with rolling hills in Death Valley, California, already a setting for Tatooine in the first Star Wars.

The scene : The droids R2-D2 and C-3PO crossing the desert to reach Jabba's palace.

San Rafael, United States

Former headquarters of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the special effects company founded by George Lucas, on Kerner Boulevard in San Rafael.

The scene : The Lucasfilm visual effects studio where the miniatures, blue screen shots, and effects of the film were created.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

One of the four large stages measuring 146 × 96 feet from the block built in 1948, demolished after the sale of half the site in 1989; its location is now part of the Tesco supermarket parking lot. Number 4 now designates one of the Platinum Stages, opened in 2022.

The scene : The throne room of Emperor Palpatine, aboard the Death Star.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

One of the four large stages measuring 146 × 96 feet of the block built in 1948 facing the road. Cut in half at the end of the 1950s to create a first Stage 6, then restored in one piece, it was demolished along with six other stages after the sale of half the site in 1989, where a Tesco supermarket now stands. Number 1 now refers to one of the two stages of the George Lucas Stage, opened in 1999.

The scene : A part of the Rancor pit, the interior of Yoda's hut, and the scenes on Dagobah, as well as the inside of the Endor bunker.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

One of the four large stages measuring 146 × 96 feet from the block built in 1948. Ravaged by a fire in 1979 at the end of the shooting of Shining, it was rebuilt with a higher flat roof, then demolished after the sale of half of the site in 1989. Number 3 now designates one of the Platinum Stages, opened in 2022 at the other end of the lot.

The scene : The interior of Jabba's barge, the Ewok village, and the lower bridge of the landing platform on Endor.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

A 140 × 115 feet soundstage added in the mid-1950s, built diagonally over an older, poorly soundproofed stage. It disappeared along with six other soundstages after half of the site was sold in 1989. Number 5 now designates a workshop in the John Maxwell Building converted into a soundstage in the late 1990s.

The scene : The briefing room of the rebels and the bridges of the rebel star cruisers and Mon Calamari.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

Platform measuring 77 × 64 feet built in 1966 with Stages 8 and 9, originally equipped with a telescopic lighting grid. Closed in 2022 following the discovery of asbestos and RAAC concrete, it reopened in September 2025.

The scene : The corridors, cells, and furnace room of Jabba's dungeon, part of the Rancor pit (and its blue screen shots), and the control room of the Death Star.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

A plateau measuring 97 × 77 feet built in 1966 with Stages 7 and 9, featuring a tank and a television control room that it shared with Stage 9. Closed in 2022 after the discovery of asbestos and RAAC concrete, it reopened in September 2025 and has been hosting the filming of EastEnders since.

The scene : The throne room of Jabba the Hutt.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

A plateau measuring 97 × 77 feet built in 1966 with Stages 7 and 8, featuring a basin. Closed in 2022 after the discovery of asbestos and RAAC concrete, it reopened in September 2025 and has since hosted the filming of EastEnders.

The scene : A part of the Rancor pit, the observation deck of Jabba's barge, and the cockpits of the Millennium Falcon and the X-Wing.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

One of the four large stages measuring 146 × 96 feet of the block built in 1948 facing the road, demolished with six other stages after the sale of half of the site in 1989, where today a Tesco supermarket is located. Number 2 now refers to the second stage of the George Lucas Stage, which opened in 1999.

The scene : The sandstorm of Tatooine (deleted scene), the bridge of the Super Destroyer Executor, Chief Chirpa's hut and the landing platform of Endor.

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

A giant plateau measuring 250 × 122 feet and 45 feet high, built in 1978-1979 for The Empire Strikes Back and nicknamed the 'Star Wars Stage'. Lost with the sale of half the site in 1989 and dismantled in 1991, it made way for the Tesco supermarket; its steel was used to build stages R and S at Shepperton. Number 6 now designates a workshop converted into a stage in the late 1990s.

The scene : The hangar of the Death Star, the door and entrance corridor of Jabba's palace, and the hangar of the rebel cruiser.