Lucasfilm is preparing an enormous celebration for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, with new comics, collectible figures, LEGO sets, concerts, exhibitions, and even a documentary about the making of the original movie. The celebrations will stretch throughout 2027, bringing fans new ways to revisit the franchise’s history.
But one announcement stands out above the rest: the original Star Wars movie, which stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), and Harrison Ford (Han Solo), is returning to theaters under the title it had when audiences first saw it in 1977.
Before the saga expanded into a sprawling collection of movies and television shows, George Lucas’ first film was simply called Star Wars. It was later given the subtitle Episode IV: A New Hope, but Lucasfilm is now putting the original name back in the spotlight for the celebrations.
Related: Disney Announces Major Star Wars Plans for 2027, Raising Questions About Disney World
Lucasfilm Brings Original Star Wars Movie Back to Theaters
On February 19, 2027, Lucasfilm will release a restored version of Star Wars (1977) in theaters across thousands of screens worldwide.
The newly revealed poster by Matt Ferguson is particularly significant. Paying homage to the original artwork from 1977, it displays the movie’s original title, Star Wars, rather than Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. It’s a clear nod to the film’s earliest theatrical release and the name under which audiences first discovered the galaxy far, far away.
The theatrical presentation will also include a special celebratory logo ahead of the movie, accompanied by a newly orchestrated score from John Williams.
Star Wars 50th Anniversary Brings New Stories and Experiences
There’s plenty for fans to look forward to before the big theatrical event.
Hasbro is expanding its Star Wars Retro Collection with figures inspired by the original Kenner toys, while LEGO is releasing seven new anniversary sets beginning January 1, 2027.
The publishing lineup is equally busy. Star Wars: A New Hope – Triple Take revisits the events of the original movie through the perspectives of Luke, Leia, and Han. Meanwhile, Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles brings Marvel characters into the Star Wars universe, and Star Wars: A New Hope – The Complete Manga collects Hisao Tamaki’s four-volume adaptation.
The franchise will also get an official Welsh-language dub, Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, featuring Matthew Rhys (Han Solo), Rhys Ifans (Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Princess Leia). The release is scheduled for Christmas Day 2026.
Elsewhere, Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy opens at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute on February 13, 2027, before a five-year tour of North America. Star Wars Celebration returns to Los Angeles from April 1–4, with Disney Concerts bringing Star Wars in Concert: The Skywalker Saga to the Hollywood Bowl. UK events include Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert in March and Star Wars Weekender at London’s Royal Albert Hall from April 29 to May 2.
The anniversary celebrations will continue into May, when Lucasfilm releases The Hero Awakens, a new documentary from filmmaker R.J. Cutler, exclusively on Disney+ on May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day, per Celebrate 50 Years of Star Wars | StarWars.com. Featuring archival footage and audio captured during and around the making of the original film in 1977, the documentary will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the production.
The franchise is also set to expand with new films and Disney+ shows, including Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, which arrives in theaters on May 28, 2027, while both Ahsoka and Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord will return for their second seasons.
Will you be watching Star Wars when it returns to theaters? Let us know in the comments!
