May 4 is . It’s about as official as an unofficial holiday can be. Once just a silly little pun, the wordplay on the most famous phrase in the Star Wars universe has, in recent years, become recognized by city and state governments throughout the United States.
"Star Wars" itself has morphed and evolved in the 47 years since George Lucas first brought his vision for a space opera to the silver screen. Heavily influenced by "Flash Gordon," the films of Kurosawa and John Ford’s Westerns, modern filmmakers now use "Star Wars" as their reference material.
Not bad for a film that even its creator feared would be a flop. The first film, later retitled, "Star Wars: A New Hope"Â was a mere 121 minutes, two hours of intergalactic fun. This week, counting the series finale of "Star Wars: Bad Batch," Disney+ boasts 14-thousand minutes of Star Wars content. That adds up to nearly 10 full days of continuous viewing to get through the 234 hours of adventures, not counting the controversial "."
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Add to that nearly 400 books and story collections that expand the worlds of "Star Wars."
WHERE IT STARTED
"Star Wars" debuted in theaters on May 25, 1977. After the success of "Jaws" two years earlier, movies expected to do well were released wide, in between 5 and 700 theaters. "Star Wars" . In fact, most theaters took it as a package deal, the mediocre film they had to run to get the big hits from Twentieth Century Fox.
That led to the now famous images of people lined up around the block, waiting for hours to see the film. Some, including a truck driver named James Cameron, came out and immediately got in line to see it again. Despite the crowds, it still took a minute to catch on. The most famous theater at the time, Mann’s Chinese on Hollywood Boulevard, only had "Star Wars" because William Friedken’s "Sorcerer" was delayed.
Famously, George Lucas so expected the film to flop, especially after being dragged over the coals by his film school buddies at a private screening, he went on vacation in Hawaii with Stephen Spielberg, where the seeds were planted that would become "."
In the heat of summer, "Star Wars" was playing on more than 1000 screens – and stayed in theaters for more than a year. It was re-released with minor changes (like the title change) four times — 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1982. In 1997, Lucas released the much maligned Special Edition trilogy in theaters.
All told, the original film grossed $460-million. That sounds pretty tame by today’s box office standards, but adjusted for inflation, it’s . Taking into account its inflation-adjusted budget and box office gross. That adds up to about a 2,396% profit.
THE PREQUEL GENERATION
In 1999, "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" made the term prequel a household word. Going back to his notes from his original idea, "The Adventures of Luke Starkiller, as taken from the Journal of the Whills, Saga I: The Star Wars," Lucas decided to tell the origin story of his most famous villain – Darth Vader.
The movie grossed more than $474 million, but received a Rotten Tomatoes critical score of only 52%. Fans weren’t thrilled with the 9-year-old protagonist, the five-year age disparity between him and his future wife, and the mish-mash of politics and government machinations. While most liked the addition of Qui-Gon Jin, Darth Maul and various members of the Jedi council, they hated Jar Jar Binks and his Gungan compatriots. The highest praise was reserved for Ewan McGregor playing a pitch-perfect younger iteration of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The film’s success was largely attributed to nostalgia and a desire to return to “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,†even if it didn’t quite match up with the expectations of its now more mature audience.
Regardless, the success allowed Lucas to finish out the prequel trilogy. Maybe the movies didn’t connect as strongly with original fans, it definitely became the touchstone for their kids. "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith" brought a new generation to join forces with the old, and together drive Star Wars to even higher heights.
Part of the new, younger world was more detailed, and canon-ized animation. Fans got to dig deeper into the Clone Wars, thanks to a film and two animated series. The longer form "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated series would usher writer-director  formally into the Star Wars creator sphere — something that would pay off in spades in the decades to come.
THE DISNEY-FICATION OF IT ALL
In October 2012, George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company for just over $4 billion. The House of Mouse had been partnering with Lucasfilm all the way back in 1989 when  was launched as the newest theme park in the Disney World Orlando complex. But this was something new. Not just props, merchandise, and Star Tours rides. Disney was going to complete the vision Lucas had for a final trilogy — or so they said.
In 2015, self-proclaimed Star Wars fanboy J.J. Abrams, known for "Alias," "Super 8" and launching the "Star Trek" Kelvin timeline, brought us "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." The film was a huge success; the first "Star Wars" film to nearly crack $1 billion at the box office. For better or worse, it did not follow the outlines Lucas sold to Disney for the last third of his ennealogy.
While there were criticisms of the film, largely that it the story in many ways too closely reflected the very first movie. Too much fan service, some said; others complained there wasn’t enough and why did they make a woman and a disgraced Stormtrooper the main characters. Still, most were happy to see Han and Chewie and Leia again, were curious about the new Supreme Leader and a few new additions to the mythology.
The films that followed did not go as well. While "Rogue One" is often considered the best of the Disney-era films, it’s also the least "Star Wars"-like in many ways. Set before the events of the original trilogy — it literally ends as Vader strides into his first scene of "A New Hope" — it focused on the grittier, war aspects of the galactic conflict that was about to erupt.
HOW IT'S GOING
Abrams handed off the film reins to Rian Johnson. Having established himself with "Looper"Â and "Brick," fans should have expected some subversion of expectations. "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"Â is the most polarizing of all the Star Wars filmed properties. Either you love it or hate it.
"Last Jedi" was quickly followed by another look into Star Wars past — the origins of everyone’s favorite scruffy nerf herder, Han Solo. Co-written by Lawrence Kasden, who penned Empire and Jedi, and switching out directors mid-stream, "Solo" is a bit unbalanced, answering questions no one was asking, while trying to tie together disparate pieces of the "Star Wars" universe. It’s the lowest grossing "Star Wars" film — by a long shot.
That didn’t bode well for the final movie at the time. Trying to redeem or explain the events of "Last Jedi" and cater to the nostalgia of fans, "The Rise of Skywalker" managed to bobble both. It’s not a horrible film, it just struggles to find itself and pales in comparison to what came before. It did worse at the box office and with critics than any other Skywalker-centric film. Even bringing back the Emperor couldn’t help.
As Disney-Lucasfilm cancelled several previously-announced projects, "Star Wars" seemed bound for the scrap heap of fond memories, tainted by overstaying its welcome.
THE RISE OF DISNEY+
That’s when Dave Filoni stepped back in. Soon to be crowned the Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm, Filoni, with the help of "Iron Man" & "Lion King" director Jon Favreau, made the transition from award-winning animated "Star Wars" shows to award winning live action "Star Wars" shows.
Disney+, the entertainment giant’s new streamer needed a flagship show. Filoni and Favreau put their heads together and we got "The Mandalorian." Set in the years immediately after "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," the show managed to capture the gold standard set by the original trilogy, while at the same time successfully connecting pieces and parts of the "Star Wars" universe in a way the other Disney films failed to do.
It also introduced easily the most popular character in the "Star Wars" universe, at least according to search engine stats compiled by  — everyone fell in love with Baby Yoda, aka Grogu.
"The Mandalorian," "Book of Boba Fett," "Ahsoka," "Andor" and "Obi-Wan" not only launched Disney+ to Netflix-level streaming domination, they resurrected the "Star Wars" brand. Sure, there have been some hiccups, but for the most part, it’s the most successful Star Wars storytelling since the heyday of the original trilogy.
Later this year, we’ll see "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" and "" on Disney+. Shortly thereafter, "The Mandalorian and Grogu"" returns the franchise to the big screen. The second (and final?) seasons of both "Andor" and "Ahsoka" should arrive in 2025 as well. And, Rey Skywalker is making her way back too.
Until then, novels, comics, video games, Disney Park’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, celebrations and anniversaries will keep fans invested in the Galaxy Far Far Away. "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"  this weekend for its 25th anniversary. Tickets for  – happening in the land of the rising sun in April 2025 – recently went on sale.
"Star Wars"Â is here to stay, so May the Fourth, er, Force be with you.
Popular Star Wars baby names for future Jedi
Star Wars baby names
Called " by Forbes, the "Star Wars" franchise is among the most beloved, recognizable, successful and enduring movie series in the history of film. The now eight-movie series (five more are planned) boasts the third-highest franchise box office gross revenue on record, but that doesn't begin to account for the brand's success.
From phone cases to action figures, bed sheets, stationery and lunch boxes, Star Wars is arguably the most universally merchandised film series of all time. Although today's children are just as fascinated as their parents and grandparents with the saga, those that were kids for the original filmes are now somewhere close to 50 years old. According to the New York Times, Star Wars has managed to connect middle-aged fans to their childhoods like in history.
With legions of loyal fans -- from toddlers to the elderly -- obsessing over the tiniest fragments of Star Wars minutia, the films have actually had a measurable impact on our country's culture, including how people name their children. MooseRoots used Social Security Administration data to find out the popularity of names used in the Star Wars franchise among new parents.
#25. Pluma
A bit of a Helen of Troy character, Pluma Sodi is captured by Otua Blank in the Clone Wars as his unwilling bride. The Kage woman is kept in a chest and guarded by Boba Fett as Kage warriors attempt to rescue her.
The name has sharply dropped in popularity since the 1880s.
#24. Poe
Poe Dameron is an ace pilot who takes on the Empire from the cockpit of an X-Wing Fighter. Although he is a popular character, the same can not be said for his name. The last time more than four boys were born with the name Poe was when five joined the Force in 2012.
#23. Maz
Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o will portray space pirate Maz Kanata in "The Force Awakens." Only five baby boys were born with the name Maz in 2013, the last year more than four were recorded. The name may remain so unusual, in part, because her character was called "Rose" on set to prevent film spoilers.
Although the character is a woman, fewer than five girls have been born with the name Maz in any given year.
#22. Vader
Arguably the most famous villain in movie history, Darth Vader was a heroic Jedi Knight until a series of calamities seduced him to the Dark Side. His unmitigated evil must have been a turnoff for new parents. A relatively popular female name in the early 1900s, there haven't been more than four girls given the name Vader since 1925.
#21. Numa
The Twi'lek child who made a home for herself in the underground tunnels of Nabat was instrumentally helpful to General Obi-Wan Kenobi during the Clone Wars. With her help, he was able to stop the droid forces in Nabat and free the Twi'leks.
Numa has never been a terribly popular name, but it's experienced a steady decline since the late 1930s.
#20. Darth
An "embodiment of death," Darth is a title, not a name, awarded only to the most ferocious Sith lords. The last time more than four boys were given the name Darth was when seven were born in 1978 -- a year after the release of the original Star Wars film.
#19. Kylo
Aggressive and strong with the Force, Kylo Ren is known for his unique lightsaber and quick temper. "The Force Awakens" was announced in 2012, by 2014 eight boys were born with the name Kylo.
#18. Lando
After selling out his friends to the Dark Side, Lando Calrissian redeemed himself to become a key rebel figure. Although just four boys were named Lando in 2014, the name reached its peak of popularity with 25 in 1980 -- the year "The Empire Strikes Back" introduced Lando Calrissian to the world.
#17. Akbar
Famous for spotting a trap set by the Empire, Admiral Ackbar was first introduced in "Return of the Jedi" during the Battle of Endor. The traditional Indian and Hindi name Akbar (slightly different in spelling) is on a steep downward decline, with just nine boys born with the name in the U.S. in 2014.
#16. Obi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a legendary Jedi who mentored Luke Skywalker and trained his father, who would go on to become Darth Vader. Still fairly popular in the U.K., there were just 12 American baby boys named Obi in 2014.
#15. Padme
Courageous and optimistic, Padme Amidala was both a senator and queen of Naboo. With 14 girls born with the name Padme in 2014, the name has become more popular since the release of "Revenge of the Sith" in 2005.
#14. Falcon
The Millennium Falcon is smuggler Han Solo's legendary starship, which played a role in some of the Rebel Alliance's most important and daring missions. Just 18 boys were named Falcon in 2014, but the name peaked in 2013, when 23 babies were given the name.
#13. Han
The unlikely hero of the original trilogy, Han Solo evolves from a renegade co-pilot to a general for the Rebel Alliance.
The popularity of the name Han has risen and fallen since the 1960s, though it's never been a particularly popular name.
#12. Rebel
Though the term is, of course, not unique to Star Wars, the Rebels are the last, best hope against the Empire. The number of boys named Rebel stayed pretty much the same between 1954 and 2004, but the name has experienced a recent surge in popularity, from 10 in 2006 to 55 in 2013. Forty-six boys were born with the name Rebel in 2014.
#11. Mace
Mace Windu is known for his purple lightsaber and lack of patience with the squabbling Senate. In 1998, there were just eight boys named Mace, a trend that had remained fairly steady for more than a century. In 1999, however, "The Phantom Menace" was released, and the name jumped back into popularity. In 2014, 61 boys were named Mace.
#10. Kage
Elite but outnumbered, Kage Warriors are locked in an ongoing battle in "The Clone Wars." The number of boys named Kage has remained relatively neutral since 1995 compared to the overall population, but the name saw an uptick when "The Clone Wars" came out in 2008. There were 84 born in 2014, compared to 54 in 2007.
#9. Kilian
Admiral Kilian is a stickler for the rules who is taken hostage by bounty hunters. At 91, more boys were born with the name Killian in the United States than anywhere else; but per capita, the name is far more popular in Switzerland and Northern Ireland.
#8. Anakin
Anakin Skywalker was so talented that he was believed by some to be the Jedi "Chosen One" before descending into the forces of the Dark Side. The name Anakin became far more popular in 1999 with the release of "The Phantom Menace" than it had been in previous years -- a trend that continues today. Over 200 boys were named Anakin in 2014.
#7. Rey
Although the tough survivor from the deserts of Jakku is female in "The Force Awakens," the name Rey is steadily rising in popularity among boys in the United States. Over 240 were born in 2014, up from just 46 in 1980.
#6. Ben
Ben Quadinaros participated in the pod race that freed Anakin Skywalker from a life as a slave. Short for Benjamin, Bennet or Benedict, the name Ben has steadily decreased in popularity in the United States over the last century. It was the 43rd most popular boys name in 1889, but ranks No. 723 today.
#5. Kiera
After transitioning from space pirate to bounty hunter, Kiera Swan has a price on her head wherever she goes. The year 2007 was the peak for Kiera -- that year, it broke into the top 300 most common female names. Nearly 500 girls were named Kiera in 2014, barely cracking the top 600.
#4. Leia
Sister of Luke Skywalker and daughter of Anakin Skywalker, Princess Leia is one of the most legendary rebel heroes in history. Although the name Leia did gain traction when the original Star Wars film was released in 1977, the name has greatly increased in popularity over the last few years explode with 605 baby girls named Leia in 2014.
#3. Finn
Finn is a warrior with a conscience struggling to escape his past. Although the traditional Nordic name briefly fell out of favor around 1990, it has seen an extraordinary rise in popularity in recent years. Over 770 boys named Finn were born in 2014, making it the the 234th most popular boys name in the country.
#2. Owen
Uncle to young Luke Skywalker, Owen Lars scratched out a living on his farm on Tatooine. With 9,100 boys born with the name in 2014, Owen is the 36th most popular boys name in America, following a steep rise in popularity that began in 1994.
#1. Luke
Born a humble farm boy, Luke Skywalker -- son of Anakin Skywalker -- would grow up to become the greatest Jedi in the Universe. The 28th most popular name in America, there were 10,431 boys born with the name Luke in 2014. The name has seen a steady increase in popularity since the first Star Wars film was released in 1977, but to be fair, a character named Luke was also featured prominently in a different best-selling book -- the Bible.
