Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Movie, 1999, Fall of the Jedi, Set in 32 BBY
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is #4 of 20 in release order and #1 of 20 in chronological order in the Star Wars.
The story
Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace recap
The Trade Federation blockades the planet Naboo, and the Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to negotiate. The talks are a trap set by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who orders an invasion. The Jedi rescue Queen Amidala and flee, but their damaged ship lands on Tatooine, where Qui-Gon meets Anakin Skywalker, a slave boy unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a podrace that pays for the ship's parts and his own freedom, though his mother Shmi stays behind. On Coruscant, the Jedi Council refuses to train Anakin, and Amidala, frustrated by the Senate, backs a vote of no confidence that makes Naboo's senator Palpatine the new Chancellor. Sidious's apprentice Darth Maul hunts the group throughout, and the Gungan Jar Jar Binks, exiled from his own people, tags along with the Jedi. Amidala resolves to go home and fight, even though the Republic will not help her.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace ending explained
Amidala allies with the Gungans and retakes Naboo, while young Anakin destroys the droid control ship and shuts down the droid army. Maul kills Qui-Gon in a duel, and Obi-Wan cuts Maul in half. With his dying breath Qui-Gon asks Obi-Wan to train Anakin, and the Council reluctantly agrees. Palpatine, secretly Darth Sidious, takes office as Chancellor and tells Anakin he will watch his career with interest.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 54%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, before Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
- Chronological order: first, before Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
What to watch before Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
In release order, the essentials before Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) are Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983).
Cast
- Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn
- Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala
- Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker
- Ian McDiarmid as Senator Palpatine
- Pernilla August as Shmi Skywalker
- Oliver Ford Davies as Governor Sio Bibble
- Hugh Quarshie as Captain Panaka
- Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO (voice)
- Kenny Baker as R2-D2
- Frank Oz as Yoda (voice)
Directed by George Lucas.