A long time ago, Luke Skywalker left Tatooine and joined an old desert hermit on an adventure. That journey changed the galaxy far, far away forever. It also changed pop culture forever. George Lucas’ iconic 1977 space epic launched what is now a global billion dollar franchise. It spans television, comics, books, games, and any other medium you can think of. But at its core is one family and the three trilogies that brought its story to life. And this spring Lucasfilm is celebrating those films by bringing all of them to the big screen on the same day. All nine films in the Skywalker Saga are coming to theaters on Star Wars Day for a massive movie marathon.
Lucasfilm has announced it will honor the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace by having it kick off an all-day movie marathon. Every installment in the Skywalker Saga will return to theaters on May the 4th. The films will screen in chronological order rather than release order, so it will begin with the first film in the prequel trilogy rather than A New Hope. The all-day Star Wars session will then end with The Rise of Skywalker, and that will complete all nine films returning to theaters.
And we do mean “all day.” Combined the nine films have a runtime of more than 20 hours. (Though Cinemark’s page for the marathon lists it as a 24-hour event.)
Those who attend will also get a special bonus. The Phantom Menace screening will offer a sneak peek at Lucasfilm’s upcoming Disney+ series set during the High Republic, The Acolyte. That show takes place a century before the Skywalker Saga begins. But it will still connect to Anakin’s story. It will feature the Sith who helped lay the foundation for Sheev Palpatine’s ascension a century later.
Tickets for the Skywalker Saga marathon go on sale at noon Eastern on Friday, March 22. If you plan on staying for all nine movie you might wear a Jedi robe. For something that spans this many hours you’ll want to be comfortable.