Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

  • 94% of critics liked it
    (67 reviews)

  • 93% of users liked it
    (747,726 ratings)

In a distant galaxy, a long time ago, young Luke Skywalker assembles his motley crew of allies including space rogue Han Solo and two "droids" -- C3PO and R2D2 -- to rescue Princess Leia, the rebel leader of her planet from the clutches of the evil Empire as embodied by its enforcer Darth Vader.

Play Trailer

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By
George Lucas
Written By
George Lucas
Genres
Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
May 25, 1977 Wide
On DVD
Sep 21, 2004
20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

  • , TIME Magazine

    A grand and glorious film that may well be the smash hit of 1977, and certainly is the best movie of the year so far.

  • A.D. Murphy, Variety

    A magnificent film. George Lucas set out to make the biggest possible adventure fantasy out of his memories of serials and older action epics, and he succeeded brilliantly.

  • Charles Champlin, Los Angeles Times

    It is, all in all, hard to think of a place or an age group that would not respond to the enthusiastic inventiveness with which Lucas has enshrined his early loves.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    Lucas fills his screen with loving touches.

  • Sean Means, Film.com

    A dynamic entertainment, efficiently and exuberantly setting up its mythic tale of heroes and villains, rebels and rogues, princesses and monsters, good and evil.

Read all 22 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Directors C


    Star Wars is the orginal epic that matured science fiction. George Lucas has created an opera set in space, a drama taking place on different worlds since then nothing hollywood has brought us has ever been the same.

  • Alexander D


    There's a question I bet many are still pondering: why did STAR WARS lose to ANNIE HALL for Best Picture? This was the first time something so creative and inventive had been sparked, and even with AVATAR, THE TERMINATOR, HARRY POTTER, INCEPTION, E.T.--you name it!--science… More

  • xGary X


    There are three Star Wars films. Star Wars is a magical rollercoaster ride of fun and excitement, populated with charming characters you actually CARE about, who have believable relationships in a fairytale universe of good and evil. Star Wars is my first movie love, and no matter how… More

  • Justin Y


    George Lucas takes science fiction to a whole 'nother level in <i>Star Wars: A New Hope</i>.<p>Story goes a long way and this film has got a good one. The plot moves and there always seems to be something essential happening for the entire 2 hours of screen… More

  • Christopher H


    A timeless masterpiece. Filled to the brim with great characters, great dialogue, great action, and a memorable music score. My favorite characters are C3PO, R2D2, Obi Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, and Darth Vader. Star Wars offers something for everybody, both young and old. The Death… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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