Original ‘Star Wars’ Film Coming to IMAX for 50th Anniversary
by Best Classic Bands Staff
The original poster for 1977’s Star Wars.
The original Star Wars movie is coming to IMAX screens in 2027 in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. Disney and Lucasfilm announced on Sept. 8, 2026, that the 1977 title, written and directed by George Lucas, as well as the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, are set to debut on IMAX screens in 70mm. The original, later renamed Star Wars: A New Hope, will be screened in a newly restored version in a select amount of IMAX 70mm film locations beginning on Feb. 19. It will also play digitally in select theaters. Tickets for IMAX screenings will be available here.
The original title, made for an estimated $11 million, had its theatrical debut on May 25, 1977. With several previous re-releases, it has earned an estimated $775.4 million at the worldwide box-office. The original Star Wars introduced audiences to such iconic characters as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Darth Vader (David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), R2D2 (Kenny Baker), C3PO (Anthony Daniels), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), in a galaxy far, far away.
Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi with C3PO and R2D2 in the original movie (Photo: Lucasfilm)
Watch the original film’s teaser trailer, before John Williams’ magnificent score was added
The newest film in the franchise, Star Wars: Starfighter, is set to release on the 50th anniversary weekend of the original film’s premiere. It will arrive on May 28, as a filmed-for-IMAX release that was shot with IMAX-certified film cameras. The movie, directed by Shawn Levy, stars Ryan Gosling as the rogue Kade Auberon. As he’s “confronted by his mysterious past, he is hurled into a dangerous adventure across the galaxy that puts him on a crash course with destiny,” according to the movie’s official description. The feature film’s cast also includes Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Amy Adams.
Plenty of Star Wars stuff is available in the U.S. here, in Canada here and in the U.K. here.
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationDamn I saw this film in 1977 on a class trip during my 5th grade at Bungay school..
I clearly remember the bus trip up to Watertown Connecticut where my whole class watched in amazement with the special effects
I remember clearly being told by my best friend in high school that he and his brothers were going to see a new movie called Star Wars. I said I never heard of that movie or seen the commercials on tv. I remember clearly I was a bit turned of by the title. It sounded so corny. He told me that it was a good movie. I said ok I will go with him. We stood in line for about three hours which was not normal in those days. We got in line at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Unfortunately my parents had a restaurant and I was in charge of taking my older cousin to work at the our restaurant. I was in Hollywood and my older cousin was in LA. I thought “Should I leave the line and forget the movie after being in line for three to four hours??!!” I made my decision. I told my friends to save me a seat and I left! Picked up cousin and dropped her off at the restaurant and sped off to Hollywood! Didn’t get in line. I went straight to the ticket booth and told them my situation and they sold me a ticket. I ran inside and sat with my friends. I came in the part of the movie where C-3PO and R2D2 get caught and are sitting in a pile of junk with other robots. Now every time I see that scene it reminds of what I had to do to see that movie the first time! I was worth it!!!