Original 1977 Star Wars Returns to Cinemas in IMAX 70mm From February 19
The original 1977 Star Wars is coming back to cinemas, restored and shown in IMAX 70mm, with screenings starting February 19. Lucasfilm and Disney have restored the film for the franchise's 50th anniversary celebrations, Deadline reported on November 12, 2026.
The re-release will be shown in several formats. Besides IMAX 70mm, a film format that uses wide strips of film for a very sharp, large picture, it will play in Digital IMAX, standard Digital Cinema, 70mm, 35mm and 4DX. 4DX is a format with moving seats and added effects such as wind, water and scent. Cinemas can choose which formats they offer, so the range of screens will vary by location.
The anniversary push runs well beyond the cinema. Lucasfilm will release a new behind-the-scenes documentary, The Hero Awakens, on Disney+ on May 4, 2027. The film is directed by R.J. Cutler, who is also a filmmaker, and it looks at how the original Star Wars was made. It is produced by Lucasfilm, Cutler's company This Machine and the production company Kennedy/Marshall.
Other 2027 dates are also set. Season 2 of the live-action series Ahsoka will premiere on January 20, 2027. Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter will be released on May 28. Fans will gather at Star Wars Celebration, a fan convention, from April 1 to 4 in Los Angeles.
Put together, the calendar gives the franchise a busy first half of 2027. A restored film in theatres in February is followed by a series, a documentary, a convention and a new movie in the spring. For anyone who has never seen the first film on a big screen, the February dates are the place to start.
