Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

93%

Tomatometer

144 Reviews

96%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

The Imperial Forces -- under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) -- hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to rescue the beautiful princess, help the Rebel Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the Galaxy.

Read Less

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

Where to Watch

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

In Theaters

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Watch Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A legendarily expansive and ambitious start to the sci-fi saga, George Lucas opened our eyes to the possibilities of blockbuster filmmaking and things have never been the same.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (144) Critics Reviews

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Tom Shales

NPR

The greatest kids' picture for adults since "The Wizard of Oz."

May 4, 2022

Full Review

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

Molly Haskell

Village Voice

I don't see how I can come out ahead panning Star Wars, George Lucas's science-fiction film that has been acclaimed by children of all ages as the Fun Movie of the year.

Feb 27, 2020

Full Review

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Richard Combs

Sight & Sound

Without the simple spiritual convictions of his predecessors, or the philosophical speculations of his contemporaries, Lucas has rather left his audience out in the cold.

Dec 12, 2019

Full Review

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

Carson Timar

ClapperCast

There truly is just a magic to this film that is undeniably fun and touching.

Jun 7, 2024

Full Review

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Akhil Arora

AkhilArora.com

[There’s] a charm to the simplicity, be it the cantina, the low-IQ Stormtroopers, or the film’s structure itself.

May 31, 2024

Full Review

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...seeing the original Star Wars in 1978 was like getting hit by lightning…made your heart soar and your knees weak as you stumbled out of your local flea-pit, squinting in the bleak light of the real world…

Rated: 5/5

May 4, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews

carl J As a young boy I became an instant Diehard fan. A masterpiece in Sci-Fi movie history, only out done by the squeal Empire Strikes Back. This movie changed how movies are watched with people watching it over and over again during its 1977 release. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/24 Full Review Sören K Revolutionary for its time. An all-time classic of cinematography. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/24 Full Review Juan Ramón C Una auténtica obra maestra en la historia del Séptimo arte, una película atemporal. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/24 Full Review John M A classic. Changed cinema in so many ways and influenced generations of fans. Timeless. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/08/24 Full Review Jon S Classic. Storytelling and plot development done correctly. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/24 Full Review Dennis P Outstanding movie. Well made, great acting, solid plot, revolutionary special effects, outstanding film editing. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

George Lucas Director Mark Hamill Luke Skywalker Harrison Ford Han Solo Carrie Fisher Princess Leia Organa Alec Guinness Obi-Wan Kenobi Peter Cushing Grand Moff Tarkin

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Movies in Theaters

95% 97% Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back TRAILER for Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 82% 94% Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi TRAILER for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi 52% 59% Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace TRAILER for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 94% 86% Superman: The Movie 83% 76% Superman II Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All Related Movie News

8 More LGBTQIA+ Outlets from Regional Archives in Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, and Beyond 87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us Know Your Critic: Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fear

Videos

View All videos

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Best Star Wars Moments Ever

24:20

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope: Teaser Trailer 1

2:01

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope: Trailer 1

1:07

View more videos

Photos

View All Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope photos

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The Imperial Forces -- under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) -- hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to rescue the beautiful princess, help the Rebel Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the Galaxy.

Director: George Lucas
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 25, 1977, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 1982
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $345
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Surround