Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

PG

Released May 19, 1999

2h 16m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

52%

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242 Reviews

59%

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250,000+ Ratings

Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin, who is unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith. After the feature, fans will also get a special first look at Star Wars: The Acolyte series coming to Disney+ June 2024.

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Critics Consensus

Burdened by exposition and populated with stock characters, The Phantom Menace gets the Star Wars prequels off to a bumpy -- albeit visually dazzling -- start.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

The dialogue isn't the issue; the acting isn't really the issue; nor is it any single annoying character... There's no sense of wonder. No yearning. No spirit.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 20, 2019

Full Review

Evan Williams

The Australian

Everything in Phantom Menace exists in a bright noisy vacuum.

Dec 15, 2015

Full Review

Joe Holleman

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The movie is fun, for the most part, and several scenes are as good or better than anything Lucas created in the original films. The human characters, however, are not nearly as interesting as those in the earlier episodes.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 14, 2015

Full Review

Calum Cooper

Movies We Texted About

Calling The Phantom Menace rough around the edges is an understatement, yet the excitement generated by its ambitious filmmaking, creative setpieces, and deceptive thematic richness are all worthy of admiration.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 30, 2024

Full Review

Roger Salvans

Fotogramas

Without a sense of adventure, excitement, or danger, the only thing that remains is a feeling of boredom... [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 1/5

Jun 17, 2024

Full Review

Akhil Arora

AkhilArora.com

The Phantom Menace fails on virtually every front. It features curiosities like Anakin’s implied virgin birth, [Liam] Neeson running around calling him “the chosen one”, and spouting nonsense about midi-chlorians (unnecessary exposition about the Force).

May 31, 2024

Full Review

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Zach

LOVE this movie. I was born the year it came out and loved it ever since. I love it even more now that I got to see it in theatres! The final act is about the most action packed in any Star Wars movie. Duel of the Fates is one of the best Star Wars songs and fights ever! Pod racing is amazing! Jar Jar didnt annoy me when I was a kid. I remember really liking him when I was a kid and then hating him when I was a teenager but now that Im older I love Jar Jar again. Hes a silly comic relief character and you can tell Ahmed Best had a blast with the role! He did not deserve the hate he got at all! Same with Jake Loyd. He a skid playing a kid and he does a good job. Not the best child actor ever but definitely not the worst by far! Qui Gon is definitely my third favorite Jedi behind Luke and Yoda. Obi Wan is not far behind Qui Gon. Liam Neeson does amazing job portraying a Jedi as a Jedi should be. Not what the Jedi had become during the prequel era which will lead to their downfall. And Amazing Star Wars movie that kicked off the entire Prequel Era, the era I grew up with and love. I love this movie snd no one can ever convince me otherwise I even like the politics! You cant show a Republic fall to a Dictatorship without, you know, showing how that happened! It would be pretty cheap if we never saw the Senate and how corrupt and weak theyd become. Only for Palpatine to show up and take power. Theyre be no setting without the political setting and thats true for the Prequels and OT. Anyway, LOVE this movie and Ill never stop loving it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

Full Review

Crystal B

A classic that is worth watching every time it’s on! May the Force be with you while watching, and always.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/19/24

Full Review

Jake

Still one of the best Star Wars movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/24

Full Review

Davis

Jar Jar is just the best!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

Full Review

Xavier

A masterpiece to watch on the big screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

Nathan

This is the second time I’m watching the phantom menace in 12 years of 3D rerelease.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/12/24

Full Review

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George Lucas

Director

Liam Neeson

Qui-Gon Jinn

Ewan McGregor

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Natalie Portman

Queen Amidala

Jake Lloyd

Anakin Skywalker

Pernilla August

Shmi Skywalker

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Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace: Trailer 1

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Preview: Rotten Tomatoes is Wrong About... Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

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Synopsis

Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin, who is unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith. After the feature, fans will also get a special first look at Star Wars: The Acolyte series coming to Disney+ June 2024.

Director: George Lucas
Producer: Rick McCallum
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG (Sci-Fi Violence|Sci-Fi Action)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 19, 1999, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 3, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $452.0M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby EX, Dolby SR, SDDS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1), Digital Projection

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