MovieWeb

Phantom Menace (1999)

Phantom Menace
Phantom Menace
PG
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Sci-Fi

Release Date
May 19, 1999
Director
George Lucas
Runtime
131
Main Genre
Action
Studio
20th Century Fox
Writers
George Lucas
Tagline
Every journey has a first step...
Franchise
Star Wars

Summary

When the evil Trade Federation plots to take over the peaceful planet of Naboo, Jedi warrior Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi embark on an amazing adventure to save the planet. With them on their journey is the young queen Amidala, Gungan outcast JarJar Binks, and the powerful Captain Panaka, who will all travel to the faraway planets of Tatooine and Coruscant in a futile attempt to save their world from Darth Sidious, leader of the Trade Federation, and Darth Maul, the strongest Dark Lord of the Sith to ever wield a lightsaber.

latest

Star War:  Revenge of the Sith 1
Star Wars: The 11 Best Moments in the Prequel Trilogy

The Star Wars prequels have provided some of the best moments from any story in the galaxy far, far away.

By 
r2d2 c3po comedy series featured image Cropped 1
Star Wars Characters Deserve Their Own Spin-Off Movies or Series

Star Wars is a rich universe filled with great characters, and these heroes and villains deserve to have their time in the spotlight.

By 
Qui Gon Jinn in Star Wars 1
Liam Neeson Was Asked to Stop Making ‘Lightsaber Noises' While Filming Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

The actor recalled how he and Ewan McGregor "both automatically" added in sound effects.

By 
Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren in the Star Wars series Ahsoka 1
Star Wars: How the Ahsoka Disney+ Series Directly Mirrors the Prequel Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Different eras of Star Wars have always rhymed as George Lucas intended, and Dave Filoni's Ahsoka parallels The Phantom Menace in several ways.

By 
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan battle Darth Maul 1
The Good (and Not-So-Good) of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

The Star Wars prequels get a lot of hate, but they still deserve their place in the hearts of Star Wars fans.

By 
mcdiarmid-christensen-star-wars-revenge-sith-2005-lucasfilm 1
Star Wars: Lines From The Prequel Films That Are Actually Good

There are a few good ones. "A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one."

By 
Qui Gon Jinn in Star Wars 1
Star Wars: Liam Neeson's Best Moments as Qui-Gon Jinn, Ranked

Liam Neeson's Qui-Gon Jinn was one of the most important Jedi in Star Wars history. Let’s review some of his best moments in The Phantom Menace.

By 
Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi 1
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi's Best Fight Scenes in the Franchise, Ranked

Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most renowned Jedi of all time. Let’s take a look at some of his best and most important fight scenes in Star Wars.

By 
Star Wars movies ranked, worst to best 1
Star Wars Movies, Ranked From Worst to Best

The Star Wars franchise has consistently churned out new installments ever since 1977, so how do they all stack up?

By 
Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ Series with Ewan McGregor Officially Announced 1
These Are Ewan McGregor's Best Moments as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

In anticipation of Ewan McGregor's return in the upcoming Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series, here's a look at his best moments in the prequel trilogy.

By 
Will Luke Skywalker Return to Tatooine in Star Wars 7? 1
These Are the Most Major Changes in Star Wars Characters

If you're a reminiscing old Star Wars fan or a curious newbie, this survey can help you see the progression of some of its most iconic characters.

By 
Jar Jar Binks Actor: Where Else Have We Seen Ahmed Best Besides Star Wars? 1
Jar Jar Binks Actor: Where Else Have We Seen Ahmed Best Besides Star Wars?

Ahmed Best was cast in George Lucas' prequel trilogy in 1997 and performed the controversial Naboo character in motion capture. Despite backlash received upon the release of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Best went on to appear in other projects.

By 
The Phantom Menace Preview Left Original Star Wars Editor Crying in a Parking Lot 1
The Phantom Menace Preview Left Original Star Wars Editor Crying in a Parking Lot

Marcia Lucas is back with more comments that are sure to hit home with Star Wars fans, with The Phantom Menace causing her to sit in her car and cry.

By 
Star Wars Saga Deepfake Turns Leonardo DiCaprio Into Young Anakin Skywalker 1
Star Wars Saga Deepfake Turns Leonardo DiCaprio Into Young Anakin Skywalker

An old deepfake video has resurfaced showing Leonardo DiCaprio embodying Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars saga from The Phantom Menace to Return of the Jedi.

By 
The Acolyte Showrunner Explains How The Phantom Menace Influences the Series 1
The Acolyte Showrunner Explains How The Phantom Menace Influences the Series

Leslye Headland discusses her connection to Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and how that paves the way for The Acolyte.

By 
Obi-Wan Kenobi Series Feels More Real Than the Prequels Promises Ewan McGregor 1
Obi-Wan Kenobi Series Feels More Real Than the Prequels Promises Ewan McGregor

Obi-Wan Kenobi star Ewan McGregor is confident that the Disney+ series will be more satisfying and 'more real' than the Star Wars prequels.

By 
Jar Jar Binks Becomes an Evil Sith Lord in Scary Star Wars Fan Art 1
Jar Jar Binks Becomes an Evil Sith Lord in Scary Star Wars Fan Art

Kevin Cassidy has revealed some new art of Jar Jar Binks completely redesigned as a Sith in the Star Wars universe.

By 
Liam Neeson Pulls Out His Original Lightsaber from The Phantom Menace for Show & Tell 1
Liam Neeson Pulls Out His Original Lightsaber from The Phantom Menace for Show & Tell

Liam Neeson clearly has fond memories from filming Star Wars and still wields his Phantom Menace lightsaber on occasion.

By 
Keira Knightley Forgot Who She Played in the Star Wars Prequels 1
Keira Knightley Forgot Who She Played in the Star Wars Prequels

Actress Keira Knightley played Sabé in the first of George Lucas' prequels, The Phantom Menace, which hit theaters in 1999, but she seems to have blocked all of that out.

By 
Liam Neeson Praises Jar Jar Binks Actor While Defending The Phantom Menace 1
Liam Neeson Praises Jar Jar Binks Actor While Defending The Phantom Menace

In defending Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Liam Neeson had high praise for his co-star Ahmed Best.

By 
See more articles +