Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Play trailer

2:01

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

PG

Released May 25, 1977

2h 1m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

144 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

The Imperial Forces -- under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) -- hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to rescue the beautiful princess, help the Rebel Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the Galaxy.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

A legendarily expansive and ambitious start to the sci-fi saga, George Lucas opened our eyes to the possibilities of blockbuster filmmaking and things have never been the same.

Read Critics Reviews

Tom Shales

NPR

The greatest kids' picture for adults since "The Wizard of Oz."

May 4, 2022

Full Review

Molly Haskell

Village Voice

I don't see how I can come out ahead panning Star Wars, George Lucas's science-fiction film that has been acclaimed by children of all ages as the Fun Movie of the year.

Feb 27, 2020

Full Review

Richard Combs

Sight & Sound

Without the simple spiritual convictions of his predecessors, or the philosophical speculations of his contemporaries, Lucas has rather left his audience out in the cold.

Dec 12, 2019

Full Review

Calum Cooper

Movies We Texted About

Star Wars is a thoroughly entertaining experience of awe-inspiring escapism, but it is also an ode to unity – how ordinary people from all walks of life can come together and face anything no matter the odds against them.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 14, 2024

Full Review

Carson Timar

ClapperCast

There truly is just a magic to this film that is undeniably fun and touching.

Jun 7, 2024

Full Review

Akhil Arora

AkhilArora.com

[There’s] a charm to the simplicity, be it the cantina, the low-IQ Stormtroopers, or the film’s structure itself.

May 31, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Jeremy C

This movie blew my 5 year old mind when it came out in 1977. Star Wars is my favorite movie of all time and nothing else comes close.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

Full Review

TYLER M

One of my favorite Star Wars movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

Full Review

Fantasia 2

The brutal theme of the movie is brilliant and an empire rules over the galaxy 's potray is great and it could be confusing if you're watching 3 to 4 so watch Rogue One to be simplified and Han Solo is my favourite character is the whole Saga .

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/12/25

Full Review

James R

A lot less drama compared to Rogue One, which was nice. For a movie made in 1977 it puts some movies today to shame with its cinematography.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/12/25

Full Review

Lucas T

This was the movie that started the whole Star Wars franchise. It was uniqe, and it certanily was entertaining. This movie, along with the rest of the original trilogy, is peak cinema. The original trilogy has the three best movies in sci-fi history. This is a classic that future generations should continue to watch. But you must watch the original version!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

Full Review

Kevin M

The movie that defines sci-fi for a generation and for generations to come. Made legends out of George Lucas and Harrison Ford among others. Was great to see this epic for the first time at the tender age of 13 - couldn't have been a better age to inspire wonder!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

George Lucas

Director

Mark Hamill

Luke Skywalker

Harrison Ford

Han Solo

Carrie Fisher

Princess Leia Organa

Alec Guinness

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Peter Cushing

Grand Moff Tarkin

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

95%

97%

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

82%

94%

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

53%

59%

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Superman: The Movie

93%

86%

Superman: The Movie

Watchlist

Superman II

83%

76%

Superman II

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

8 More LGBTQIA+ Outlets from Regional Archives in Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, and Beyond

87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us

Know Your Critic: Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fear

Best Star Wars Moments Ever

24:20

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope: Teaser Trailer 1

2:01

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope: Trailer 1

1:07

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

The Imperial Forces -- under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) -- hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to rescue the beautiful princess, help the Rebel Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the Galaxy.

Director: George Lucas
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 25, 1977, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 1982
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $345
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now