Lucasfilm and Disney are putting a restored version of the original 1977 "Star Wars" back in theaters on Friday, Feb. 19, 2027, and for the first time it will play in IMAX. It is the centerpiece of a year of 50th anniversary events that runs from a museum show in Philadelphia to a new documentary on Disney+. Lucasfilm laid out the plans on Thursday, Nov. 12, and some of it is on sale already.
The earliest deadline is for toy collectors, since Hasbro opens preorders on Friday, Nov. 13, for new figures based on the 1977 film.
The original film returns Feb. 19
The film will play on thousands of screens worldwide, on film and in digital formats such as IMAX 70mm, 4DX and D-BOX. It is the restored original version, the one later renamed "Star Wars: A New Hope," and it will open with a new anniversary logo set to a newly orchestrated score by John Williams. Matt Ferguson drew the new poster as a tribute to the 1977 artwork.
IMAX 70mm prints will be limited to a small number of IMAX film locations, and the release plays in some theaters for a limited time, so fans who want the 70mm version should watch for local ticket dates.
Starting in March, Cosm will show the film inside its 12K LED domes, with the movie in its normal 16:9 frame in the center and the surrounding dome filled with scenes from the film's locations. Cosm runs venues in Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta and Detroit. Tickets are not on sale yet, but Cosm's page takes presale sign-ups.
The 2027 calendar
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1 | Seven LEGO 50th anniversary sets go on sale | LEGO.com and LEGO stores |
| Feb. 13 (Saturday) | Star Wars: The Experience exhibition opens | The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia |
| Feb. 19 | Original 1977 film returns, IMAX for the first time | Theaters worldwide |
| March | Shared Reality version of the film | Cosm domes |
| April 1 to 4 | Star Wars Celebration (sold out) | Los Angeles Convention Center |
| First weekend of April | Star Wars in Concert: The Skywalker Saga, hosted by Anthony Daniels | Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles |
| May 4 (Star Wars Day) | "The Hero Awakens" documentary | Disney+ |
| May 28 (Friday) | "Star Wars: Starfighter" with Ryan Gosling | Theaters, including IMAX 70mm |
The Hollywood Bowl concerts return to the place where the first official "Star Wars" concert took place in November 1977. Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, will host. Williams' scores will play under scenes from all nine Skywalker Saga films.
"The Hero Awakens," from director R.J. Cutler, is built entirely from archival material shot during the original production, including footage and interviews that have never been released.
The Philadelphia exhibition
The only official museum exhibition of the anniversary year opens Feb. 13 at The Franklin Institute, and tickets are on sale now for timed daytime and evening entry, plus a VIP option. The museum strongly recommends buying ahead.
The show fills 18,000 square feet. Many of the screen-used pieces from Lucasfilm will be on public display for the first time, including Darth Vader's costume and Darth Maul's lightsaber, along with R2-D2, C-3PO, Grogu, a speeder bike and props from "Andor." Visitors can also trigger lightsaber sounds at a station with RFID touchpoints.
What you can buy, and when
Hasbro's new 1977-inspired figures from its Black Series, Vintage Collection and Retro lines open for preorder Nov. 13 on hasbro.com and at some retailers. A separate Retro line of 3.75-inch figures, modeled on the original Kenner toys, will be sold only at Target in spring 2027. It includes Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan and Darth Vader.
The seven LEGO sets arrive Jan. 1, each with minifigures based on Ralph McQuarrie's original concept art. Aston Martin, Steinway, Mars and adidas are also on Lucasfilm's list of anniversary partners, though no prices or release dates have been announced for their products.
