Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace | Rotten Tomatoes

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

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2h 16m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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53%

Tomatometer

240 Reviews

59%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. 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, who is 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. After the feature, fans will also get a special first look at Star Wars: The Acolyte series coming to Disney+ June 2024.

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Critics Consensus

Burdened by exposition and populated with stock characters, The Phantom Menace gets the Star Wars prequels off to a bumpy -- albeit visually dazzling -- start.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

The dialogue isn't the issue; the acting isn't really the issue; nor is it any single annoying character... There's no sense of wonder. No yearning. No spirit.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 20, 2019

Full Review

Evan Williams

The Australian

Everything in Phantom Menace exists in a bright noisy vacuum.

Dec 15, 2015

Full Review

Joe Holleman

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The movie is fun, for the most part, and several scenes are as good or better than anything Lucas created in the original films. The human characters, however, are not nearly as interesting as those in the earlier episodes.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 14, 2015

Full Review

Eric Marchen

Untitled Movie Podcast

John Williams delivers one of his best scores.

Rated: 3/5

May 16, 2024

Full Review

Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

An erratic but entertaining prequel.

Rated: 3/5

May 4, 2024

Full Review

Preston Barta

Fresh Fiction

You may have to shovel through it a bit with 'The Phantom Menace,' but the highs are pretty high, and it’s a film very much worth seeing (or seeing again) for its 25th anniversary.

May 3, 2024

Full Review

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Honest D

Don't bother. Watch the first three, Rogue One, Andor or the Mandalorians first season instead.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/21/24

Full Review

Brian T

Jar jar ruined this movie. It’s ok for a global war movie to be serious. Also,,, well… mostly it’s the cute androids and misc useless creatures that subtract all vitality from an ominous plot.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/21/24

Full Review

Yuki O

スカイウォーカーサーガ(1-6)の始まりの物語。

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/24

Full Review

roger n

Went adn saw with my son who never saw it in the theater, just awesome except for jar jar the sith.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/20/24

Full Review

Donnie M

Star Wars nerd here. The most highly anticipated release ever and it just didn't pack the punch we all wanted. Oh to just be able to edit out about 10 very selective minutes. Such as nearly every Jar Jar Binks line as well as having modern day style sports announcers at the pod racing. UGH! Push those thoughts away and did enjoy getting some Anakin back story and loved the Darth Maul character. I would have loved some more story about him. Ultimately it is my least favorite Star Wars movie, but I think George Lucas learned his lesson after this one.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Not like the original trilogy at all, but this film doesn't want to be. Excellent world building and stunning visuals for 1999. Liam Neeson as Qui Gon Jin steals the show!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

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George Lucas

Director

Liam Neeson

Qui-Gon Jinn

Ewan McGregor

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Natalie Portman

Queen Amidala

Jake Lloyd

Anakin Skywalker

Pernilla August

Shmi Skywalker

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“Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong” About… Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace: 25th Anniversary Re-Release Featurette - Screenvision

1:58

Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace: Trailer 1

2:12

Preview: Rotten Tomatoes is Wrong About... Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

11:12

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. 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, who is 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. After the feature, fans will also get a special first look at Star Wars: The Acolyte series coming to Disney+ June 2024.

Director: George Lucas
Producer: Rick McCallum
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG (Sci-Fi Violence|Sci-Fi Action)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 19, 1999, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 3, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $452.0M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby EX, Dolby SR, SDDS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1), Digital Projection

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