Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

PG

Released May 25, 1977

2h 1m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

206 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.

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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.

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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

George Lucas' Star Wars is not a film that readily leads itself to comparisons, so it may as well begin with the superlatives. This captivating science fantasy is the finest pure entertainment to reach the screen in ages.

Apr 23, 2025

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Not a great movie in the sense that it describes the human condition. It simply is a fun picture that will appeal to those who enjoy Buck Rogers-style adventures. What places it a sizable cut above the routine is its spectacular visual effects.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 23, 2025

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Pete Hamill

New York Post

This Hamill's name is Mark and we are not related. He plays a kid named Luke Skywalker, who is the classic dumb hero, and he plays that dumbness with terrific conviction. A true family gift.

Apr 23, 2025

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The special effects pushed the boundaries of what anyone thought possible in 1977, yet audiences were so swept up in the imagery, the adventure, and the momentum of the journey that they never stopped to marvel at the technological achievement.

May 4, 2025

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Wayne Harada

Honolulu Advertiser

A cinematic toy, a blissful concoction of wit and imagination, the brainchild of George Lucas of American Graffiti fame. It quickly is becoming everybody's movie of the year -- and add me to the list. But rightfully so: It is an out of this world delight.

Apr 23, 2025

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David Denby

Boston Phoenix

It's both a loving parody of banality and an awesomely beautiful work of imagination -- a throwaway, comic-book epic. Lucas's joke is first-rate.

Apr 23, 2025

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Patti C

Best movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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David V.

The movie that changed film forever. Not many can say that. The revolutionary techniques used to create the never before seen practical effects on this film alone make it historical. ILM set the standard. The epic that is depicted tells a compelling and complex good vs evil story. We all long to be more, and we dream beyond the stars. Luke takes us there, away from our boring lives. Darth Vader is the greatest film villain of all time, and his introduction in the opening sequence is legendary.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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HameZz O

Dune is better. But this is still fun. Just so yk this actually copied things from the Dune novel. Look it up if you don't believe me. So stop saying Dune copied Star Wars. Star Wars would be here without it. Where do u think spice came from? Copied. Remember how Anakin became a bad guy. Paul Atreides did too. Lucas must be a fan. Just saying. The first three of these films are really something special tho.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

Mitch B

A fun space opera that also doubles as a great coming of age story due to the character of Luke Skywalker. The interactions between Luke, Han, Leia and Ben make this a standout for me. Heroic fantasy and escapism at its' finest.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

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Cooper J.

The one that started it all! Such a classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

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ron h

Original, Iconic, Classic masterpiece way ahead of its time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

Full Review

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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

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

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

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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

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