Star Wars Turns 50: Documentary, Theater Return, and a Year of Merch Mark the Milestone

Fifty years after a galaxy far, far away first appeared on screen, Lucasfilm and Disney are marking the occasion with one of the franchise's most ambitious fan campaigns yet: a year-long global celebration running through 2027, anchored by a brand-new documentary, a worldwide theatrical re-release of the original film, and a wave of limited-edition merchandise from Hasbro and LEGO.

The centerpiece of the anniversary is The Hero Awakens, a new documentary directed by R.J. Cutler, premiering exclusively on Disney+ on May 4, 2027 — Star Wars Day. According to starwars.com, the film details the making of the original 1977 Star Wars using archival footage and audio captured during and around the original production. Jedi News reported the footage is described as never-before-seen. The documentary is produced by Lucasfilm, Cutler, This Machine — a part of Sony Pictures Television — and Kennedy Marshall.

Before the documentary lands, the celebration kicks off on February 19, 2027, when a restored version of the original Star Wars (1977) returns to theaters globally across thousands of screens. The release will be available in IMAX 70mm, 70mm, 35mm, Digital IMAX, 4DX, and D-BOX formats. The presentation will open with a celebratory logo featuring a newly orchestrated score by John Williams, and will debut alongside new poster art by Matt Ferguson, designed to pay homage to the original 1977 key visual.

It is incredibly special to mark the 50th anniversary by returning the original version of Star Wars to theaters so audiences can experience this part of film history on the big screen. We look forward to celebrating with our fans all year long — from the releases of Ahsoka and Star Wars: Starfighter to exclusive merchandise, new publishing stories, unforgettable experiences and interactive games. We are so thankful for our amazing community and hope these experiences bring joy to Star Wars fans everywhere.— Lynwen Brennan, Co-President, Lucasfilm

The theatrical calendar closes out on May 28, 2027, when Star Wars: Starfighter — directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling as Kade Auberon — opens in theaters and IMAX. According to starwars.com, the film was shot with IMAX-certified cameras and will be available in IMAX 70mm at select locations. It is set in an entirely new era of Star Wars storytelling with all-new characters and locations.

Between those two theatrical bookends, the anniversary fills the calendar. Starting in late March 2027, Cosm will launch a Shared Reality experience inside its 12K+ immersive LED Dome at select locations nationwide, featuring themed environments, custom food and beverage offerings, and an exclusive poster by Studio Number One. Then, during the first weekend of April, Disney Concerts will stage Star Wars in Concert: The Skywalker Saga at the Hollywood Bowl — the site of the very first official Star Wars concert in November 1977 — hosted by Anthony Daniels, the actor behind C-3PO, with music and scenes from all nine Skywalker Saga films.

Also running April 1–4, 2027 in Los Angeles, Star Wars Celebration returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center. The sold-out fan event will feature panels, hundreds of exhibitors, exclusive merchandise, and guest appearances. Separately, Star Wars: The Experience at The Franklin Institute is also part of the anniversary slate, with tickets reported on sale as of the announcement date, according to Jedi News.

On the merchandise front, Hasbro is releasing new figures across its Black Series, Vintage Collection, and Retro lines, with the Retro line sculpted to evoke the original Kenner action figures from the late 1970s. The Retro line will be exclusive to Target in Spring 2027; preorders for the Black Series and Vintage Collection open November 13. LEGO, meanwhile, is releasing sets inspired by Ralph McQuarrie concept art — including a buildable A New Hope movie poster priced at $299.99 — available in early 2027, according to Gizmodo.

The original Star Wars — later retitled A New Hope — was released on May 25, 1977. The 50th-anniversary campaign was announced on November 12, 2026, and first revealed on Good Morning America, according to Jedi News. Lucasfilm described the theme of the campaign as 'Because The Force Connects Us.'

Why it matters — For the first time in decades, the original unaltered Star Wars film is returning to theaters in premium formats alongside a new documentary and a new theatrical entry, making 2027 the most concentrated moment of Star Wars activity in the franchise's history.

Reported by starwars.com, thewaltdisneycompany.com, gizmodo.com, jedinews.com