The original 1977 cut of Star Wars: A New Hope is heading back to theaters, fully restored, as the centerpiece of a year-long celebration of the franchise's 50th anniversary. Lucasfilm and Disney unveiled the plans on the official website of Star Wars, confirming that the version audiences first saw in 1977 — unseen on the big screen since the Special Editions arrived in the 1990s — will screen in premium formats around the world.
Watch the anniversary announcement video here:
The restored film will be released in digital and film formats, including IMAX 70mm, Digital IMAX, 4DX and D-BOX, on thousands of screens globally. Each presentation will open with an added celebratory logo set to a newly orchestrated score by John Williams, and the re-release arrives with new poster art by Matt Ferguson that pays homage to the film's original 1977 poster.
"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," said Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan. "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."
The anniversary slate extends well beyond the re-release. On May 4, Star Wars Day, Disney+ will premiere The Hero Awakens, a new documentary from filmmaker R.J. Cutler built from archival footage and audio captured during and around the making of the 1977 film. The documentary is produced by Lucasfilm with Cutler's This Machine and Kennedy Marshall.
Elsewhere in the anniversary year, Cosm will debut a Shared Reality rendition of the film in its immersive domes beginning in March, and Disney Concerts will stage Star Wars in Concert: The Skywalker Saga at the Hollywood Bowl during the first weekend of April, hosted by Anthony Daniels — the site of the first official Star Wars concert back in November 1977.
The celebration officially begins in January and runs all year, spanning new project announcements, publishing stories, archival releases and reimagined Disney Parks and Cruise Line offerings. Star Wars Celebration runs April 1–4 in Los Angeles, and Star Wars: The Experience, a major exhibition at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, opens in February with tickets already on sale.
The restored original cut of Star Wars: A New Hope opens in theaters on February 19, 2027, and The Hero Awakens streams on Disney+ starting May 4, 2027. The anniversary year also brings Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, to theaters on May 28, 2027.
Source: StarWars.com
