Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

PG

Now Playing

2h 16m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

TRAILER

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

List

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace: 25th Anniversary Re-Release Featurette - Screenvision

1:58

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

2:12

Preview: Rotten Tomatoes is Wrong About... Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

11:12

View more videos

53%

Tomatometer

240 Reviews

59%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

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.

Read More

Read Less

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

In Theaters

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Watch Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Eric Marchen

Untitled Movie Podcast

John Williams delivers one of his best scores.

Rated: 3/5

May 16, 2024

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

Read all reviews

Audience Member

Not like the original trilogy at all, but this film doesn't want to be. Excellent world building and stunning visuals for 1999. Liam Neeson as Qui Gon Jin steals the show!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

Marcus K

Granted I started watching Star wars as a child and have loved all of the original trilogy and the second trilogy this one is a nostalgic classic movie for me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

Bran D

So much better than the Disney sequel trilogy. Seeing Darth Maul when those doors open, Qui Gonn saying “we’ll handle this.” with Duel Of The Fates horns blasting is must see in a theaters!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/24

Full Review

Shane H

The 25th anniversary of this in theaters was awesome! Easily one of the best movie theater experiences for me!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/15/24

Full Review

Manuel Z

This movie is the essence of the magic of star wars: podracers darth maul, duel of the fates! It’s epic and family-friendly. Just watch it, you wont regret it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/15/24

Full Review

Sam B

I have more love for this movie now than I did back then. A bright, action packed romp, great stuff!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/14/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

95%

97%

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

83%

94%

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

93%

96%

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

65%

56%

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

TRAILER

for Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

19%

40%

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The 50 Highest-Grossing Movies of All Time: Your Top Box Office Earners Ever Worldwide

The Book of Boba Fett Chapter 1 Reveals the Bounty Hunter’s Untold Story and Raises New Questions

“Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong” About… Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace: 25th Anniversary Re-Release Featurette - Screenvision

1:58

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

2:12

Preview: Rotten Tomatoes is Wrong About... Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

11:12

View more videos

View more photos

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): $451.8M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby EX, Dolby SR, SDDS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1), Digital Projection

Most Popular at Home Now