Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

PG

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2h 16m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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List

52%

239 Reviews

Tomatometer

59%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin, who is unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith. After the feature, fans will also get a special first look at Star Wars: The Acolyte series coming to Disney+ June 2024.

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Critics Consensus

Burdened by exposition and populated with stock characters, The Phantom Menace gets the Star Wars prequels off to a bumpy -- albeit visually dazzling -- start.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

The dialogue isn't the issue; the acting isn't really the issue; nor is it any single annoying character... There's no sense of wonder. No yearning. No spirit.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 20, 2019

Full Review

Evan Williams

The Australian

Everything in Phantom Menace exists in a bright noisy vacuum.

Dec 15, 2015

Full Review

Joe Holleman

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The movie is fun, for the most part, and several scenes are as good or better than anything Lucas created in the original films. The human characters, however, are not nearly as interesting as those in the earlier episodes.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 14, 2015

Full Review

Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

An erratic but entertaining prequel.

Rated: 3/5

May 4, 2024

Full Review

Preston Barta

Fresh Fiction

You may have to shovel through it a bit with 'The Phantom Menace,' but the highs are pretty high, and it’s a film very much worth seeing (or seeing again) for its 25th anniversary.

May 3, 2024

Full Review

Christian Eulinberg

InSession Film

We were introduced to Darth Maul and the double-sided lightsaber, the best pod-racing scene in the history of the franchise, and the Duel Of Fates score composed and conducted by John Williams. What’s not to love?

Sep 26, 2023

Full Review

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Beth B

All these years later, still middling.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Extremely underrated starwars movie that aged extremely well. Introduced characters that have lived on for 20+ years. Amazing music to go along with great action sequences. Jar jar was a solid comedy break.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Most underrated star wars movie. People just hate it whitout a reason.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Grew up watching this on repeat. Still go back to this 25 years later!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

Full Review

Ian T

25 years later, and this groundbreaking film has aged like a fine wine.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Just as amazing and awe inspiring as it was years ago.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

Full Review

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George Lucas

Director

Liam Neeson

Qui-Gon Jinn

Ewan McGregor

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Natalie Portman

Queen Amidala

Jake Lloyd

Anakin Skywalker

Pernilla August

Shmi Skywalker

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Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin, who is unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith. After the feature, fans will also get a special first look at Star Wars: The Acolyte series coming to Disney+ June 2024.

Director: George Lucas
Producer: George Lucas
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG (Sci-Fi Violence|Sci-Fi Action)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 19, 1999, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 3, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $439.8M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby EX, Dolby SR, SDDS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1), Digital Projection

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