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Star Wars is turning 50, and Lucasfilm is treating 2027 as one long birthday party. On November 12, exactly 50 days before the anniversary year begins, Disney and Lucasfilm announced a global, year-long celebration headlined by a restored theatrical release of the original 1977 Star Wars on February 19, 2027. The slate also locks in Ahsoka Season 2 for January 20 on Disney+, Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: Starfighter for May 28 in theaters, a new making-of documentary, a Hollywood Bowl concert, a museum exhibition and a wave of anniversary merchandise.
When does the original Star Wars return to theaters?
The restored film arrives on Friday, February 19, 2027, on thousands of screens worldwide. Lucasfilm has said it will play in premium formats including IMAX 70mm, Digital IMAX, standard 70mm and 35mm, 4DX and D-BOX. Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan described the plan as “returning the original version of Star Wars to theaters,” and reports describe it as the 1977 version. Lucasfilm has not spelled out exactly which cut fans will see, so that remains an open question for longtime viewers hoping to avoid later Special Edition changes. Ticket details have not been announced yet.
The celebration also gets its own 50th anniversary logo, set to a newly orchestrated piece by composer John Williams.
Star Wars 50th anniversary timeline: every confirmed date
- November 13, 2026: Hasbro preorders open for Black Series, Vintage Collection and Kenner-style Retro figures inspired by the 1977 film.
- January 1, 2027: A seven-set LEGO Star Wars 50th anniversary collection launches.
- January 20: Ahsoka Season 2 premieres on Disney+.
- February 13: Star Wars: The Experience opens at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (runs through September 6).
- February 19: The restored original Star Wars returns to theaters.
- April 1–4: Star Wars Celebration in Los Angeles (already sold out).
- April 2–3: Star Wars in Concert: The Skywalker Saga at the Hollywood Bowl, hosted by Anthony Daniels.
- May 4: The Hero Awakens, R.J. Cutler’s archival documentary on the making of the original film, debuts on Disney+.
- May 25: The actual 50th anniversary of the 1977 release.
- May 28: Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, opens in theaters.
What’s in the Star Wars 50th anniversary concert and documentary?
The Hollywood Bowl shows will pair John Williams’ scores with scenes from all nine Skywalker Saga films, with C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels as host. It is a neat bit of history: the venue staged the first official Star Wars concert back in 1977. On Disney+, The Hero Awakens is built from archival footage and audio recorded during production of the first film, and lands on May the 4th.
Star Wars 50th anniversary merchandise and partners
Collectors get the first taste immediately. Hasbro’s Retro wave of 3.75-inch figures, styled after the original Kenner line, is headed to Target in spring 2027. LEGO’s seven anniversary sets each include minifigures inspired by Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art. Aston Martin is partnering on exclusive products and activations, with adidas, Mars and Steinway among the other brands on board. Disney also teased “reimagined” Disney Parks and Cruise Line offerings but has not named any specifics yet.
What happens next
Disney says this is only the opening wave, with more brand collaborations and announcements due later this year and through 2027. The biggest open question is footage: fans were hoping for a first Starfighter trailer alongside the news, but none arrived. With Celebration in April and the film opening in May, expect that reveal to get its own spotlight. It is also the first major anniversary moment since a packed late-2026 movie calendar hands over to 2027, and Disney’s other big swing, Avengers: Doomsday, lands just weeks before the celebration begins.
This is a developing story.
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Sources: The Walt Disney Company, Rolling Stone, License Global, Fantasy Land News