The original Force is awakening once again, as Disney has just announced plans to re-releaseStar Warsin theatersfor the 50th anniversary ofEpisode IV: A New Hope. Now, part of us hopes this means that the original cut that was showcased a while back in London is beingremastered and released, without any of the… unnecessary additions to it. But regardless, any time we see the original films on the big screen is a cause to be celebrated. The film will hit theaters onApril 30, 2027.
The re-release arrives during a massive yearforStar Wars, which will also see the debut ofStar Wars: Starfighteron July 23, 2025. That film, directed byShawn Levyand starringRyan GoslingandMia Goth, is set to introduce a brand-new chapter in the galaxy far, far away. But before you get where you’re going, folks, you gotta look back to where you’ve been, right?
A New Hope, which was simply titledStar Warson its initial release, changed the course of film history when it hit theaters in 1977. It turnedMark Hamill,Carrie Fisher, andHarrison Fordinto icons, introduced the world to Jedi, Sith, and star destroyers. Sure,the re-release is good for fans, but it’s also a look back at Hollywood history for everyone to see where the industry has come from.
What Other Star Wars Projects Are Coming Up?
This won’t be the onlyStar Warsevent on Disney’s calendar. In addition toStarfighter, the studio will releaseThe Mandalorian and Groguin 2026, marking the firstStar Warsfilm in theaters since 2019’sThe Rise of Skywalker. That project, spun off from the hit Disney+ seriesThe Mandalorian, is expected to kick off a new wave of movies released in theaters.The anniversary re-releasehas long been rumored among fans and industry insiders, but this marks the first time Disney has formally locked in a date. It’s a reminder of the studio’s ongoing commitment to celebratingStar Warsnot just as a streaming and merchandising juggernaut, but as a true theatrical legacy.
Since acquiringLucasfilmfor $4 billion in 2012, Disney has pushed theStar Warsfranchise in multiple directions—with mixed results. The sequel trilogy began strong withThe Force Awakens, while standalone entries likeRogue Oneperformed well. Others, likeSolo: A Star Wars Story, failed to meet expectations at the box office, and the less said aboutThe RIse of Skywalker,the better.
Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hopewill open in theaters on June 07, 2025.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
