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MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by George Lucas. With Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman.
6.6/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
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.
Watch NowWatch trailer
6.6/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTAnakin 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 J…
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Does this belong in your night?
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
MoviHero lists May 19, 1999 as the release date for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. George Lucas is the listed director. The listed cast includes Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala, Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateMay 19, 1999
GenresAdventure · Science Fiction · Action
Runtime2h 16m
DirectorGeorge Lucas
CastLiam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala, Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace runs 2h 16m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 8/10: a faster-moving watch.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 4/10, suggesting a lighter emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 6.6/10 from 16,403 votes. Updated Nov 8, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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CHECK AVAILABILITY
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing8/10
Emotional Impact4/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary1/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“If it were the first "Star Wars" movie, "The Phantom Menace" would be hailed as a visionary breakthrough.”
Viewer reaction
“This is a terrible, terrible movie. I'm amazed that A) Lucas made a film like this, knowing how beloved the franchise was, and B) that…”
Viewer reaction
“Solid return of the franchise after 16 years, highlighted by Liam Neeson A Jedi Knight & his apprentice (Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor) escape a…”
More reactions (2)
Viewer reaction
“Frankly, this film is terrible, and the producers were obviously banking on the original Star Wars coming back all excited, and didn't bother come up…”
Viewer reaction
“A huge drop off the original trilogy. I still like it, mind. I do have split feelings about 'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom…”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“Hard to see, the dark side is.”
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherQui-Gon JinnQui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), played by Liam Neeson.Open character guide otherObi-Wan KenobiObi-Wan Kenobi appears across 3 MoviHero films from 1999-2005, portrayed by Ewan McGregor. Start with the first appearance, then follow the screen path in release order.Open character guide otherPadmé AmidalaPadmé Amidala appears across 3 MoviHero films from 1999-2005, portrayed by Natalie Portman. Start with the first appearance, then follow the screen path in release order.Open character guide otherAnakin SkywalkerAnakin Skywalker appears across 2 MoviHero films from 1999-2002, portrayed by Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen. Start with the first appearance, then follow the screen path in release order.Open character guide voiceYodaYoda appears across 5 MoviHero films from 1980-2005, portrayed by Frank Oz. Start with the first appearance, then follow the screen path in release order.Open character guide voiceC-3POC-3PO appears across 8 MoviHero films from 1977-2019, portrayed by Anthony Daniels. Start with the first appearance, then follow the screen path in release order.Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
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