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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

Full Review

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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Stephen C

A successful movie in rated and extended versions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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Matt O

A Legendary Beginning – 4/5 This is where it all started, and it still holds up incredibly well. A New Hope might not have the flashy effects or intense pacing of the later films, but there’s something timeless about it. The story is simple but iconic, the characters are instantly lovable, and John Williams’ score is unforgettable. Luke’s journey, Han and Leia’s banter, and the sheer presence of Darth Vader make this a classic. It’s not perfect, but as the foundation of the entire Star Wars universe, it’s a blast to revisit.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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Ryan U

a wonder it started at 4

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

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Alex C

It depends on which version you saw. To no one's surprise, I still hate CGI! Why am I not allowed to watch a version of this movie where practical effects are abundant? Some voice lines don't even sound like the actor saying the lines? New voice here, new voice there. New CGI here, new CGI there. You know, JAWS was a cool movie because you sat there in awe over an animatronic shark built in the 1970's. Somehow, a Star Wars movie from 1979 got destroyed over the years as CGI technology "advanced." If I had watched JAWS with an "updated" CGI shark, I would have rated that movie poorly as well. It felt like I was watching a bootleg version of the movie and it just didn't sit right with me. This is supposed to be a great piece of film history from the 1970's. I'm not expecting 2020's level of filmmaking, angles, editing, and perfection-maxing. Disney will allow r*cism in their old animated movies and tv shows from 100 years ago, but god forbid we allow a puppet to be shown on screen! LET ME SEE THE PUPPETS! LET ME SEE THE "UGLY" PROPS! LET ME SEE IT!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Daniel C. M

Until the moment the last sentient being on this planet succumbs to entropy, Star Wars, and specially A New Hope, will be discussed with great praise, and it only requires half-a-brain to see why: special effects that functionally never age; a great humor; some of the most iconic characters to ever be shown in the silver screen; very well written world-building; all in great and everlasting science-fantasy bundle that serves as a homage and reimagining to the other, also great and everlasting cinematic and literary stories of samurais, cowboys, and science. What more could you ask for?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

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

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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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