On May 3, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Returns to Theaters for Its 25th Anniversary

The 1990s were a rough time for Star Wars fans. The last time we’d gotten new visual Star Wars content in the 1980s, it had been on television—a couple of animated series, Droids and Ewoks, and a couple of forgettable live-action Ewok adventures. We had heard rumors, stories, and casting news about the prequels, which generated some excitement, but after a while that had quieted down. Star Wars was fading from memory.

Then, on Friday, November 20, 1998, the trailer came out.

And the Star Wars fandom went wild.

The trailer for The Phantom Menace was the first new visual Star Wars content released in years, and there was so much to take in. Double-bladed lightsabers! Super dynamic duels! Young Obi-Wan! Was that Artoo? People bought tickets to other films just to see the trailer—and many would leave after the trailer was over. Anticipation built up until the movie’s release on May 19, 1999. Although reception was mixed at the time, as a generation of fans grew up with the prequel trilogy as ‘their’ Star Wars, the reputation of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace became more and more positive.

Now, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of The Phantom Menace, Disney and Lucasfilm are re-releasing it in theaters. Tickets are on sale now at theaters across the Twin Cities—check your favorite theater’s website to see whether they have it. In addition to lightsaber battles, podracing, battle droids, Jar Jar, Darth Maul, and all the other Episode I goodness, fans will also be treated to a preview of The Acolyte, the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars series set in the time of the High Republic.

If seeing just The Phantom Menace on the big screen isn’t enough for you, on May 4, 13 theaters around the country are showing the Skywalker Saga in its entirety. This will be a nine-film, 20-plus-hour marathon experience, shown in chronological order, with additional experiences such as photo opportunities, costume contests, and more. The theater closest to the Twin Cities that will be showing the marathon is the Majestic Theater near Milwaukee, about a five-hour drive away—perfect for a Star Wars Day road trip.

However you choose to celebrate May the Fourth, whether it’s by watching The Phantom Menace in theaters or seeing all of the movies back-to-back, may the Force be with you!