Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace is enjoying some new popularity on streaming. After its recent re-release in theaters, The Phantom Menace has become the most-viewed Star Wars movie on Disney+.

News of The Phantom Menace becoming the most-viewed Star Wars movie comes from Variety. The film reaching its milestone 25th anniversary has brought some renewed attention to the movie, which marked the first chapter of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. It was also a success with its theatrical re-release, which saw The Phantom Menace debuting at No. 2 at the domestic box office. It earned more than $10 million with its return to surpass a lifetime domestic haul of over $484 million, and a worldwide gross of more than $1.03 billion.

The film was polarizing upon release in 1999, though it seems to have become more popular with fans in recent years. Prequel trilogy star Hayden Christensen, who would succeed Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker, recently spoke about the film's criticism upon its initial release. He said he was personally a huge fan of the movie right away and was rather surprised that many critics weren't very kind to The Phantom Menace 25 years ago.

"I watched the film, and I loved it," Christensen told Empire. "It was everything I wanted and more. And I didn’t understand the disconnect between the movie that I saw, and the negativity in some of the reviews.”

George Lucas wrote and directed Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. Its ensemble cast included Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala, Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker, Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine, Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Kenny Baker as R2-D2, Frank Oz as Yoda, Ray Park as Darth Maul, and Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu.

The Prequel Trilogy Begins With The Phantom Menace

The official synopsis for the film reads, "Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker, a young slave unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith."

Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace is streaming on Disney+.

Source: Variety