It was confirmed this weekend that the entire Skywalker Saga will play in theaters this May the Fourth, but Alamo Drafthouse is taking things to the next level with an epic 21-hour Star Wars movie marathon to honour The Phantom Menace's 25th anniversary.
As we first reported on SFFGazette.com, this "May the 4th Marathon" will kick off at Alamo Drafthouse New Mission in San Francisco on May 3 starting with The Phantom Menace and ending with The Rise of Skywalker the following day on May 4.
"Part of what makes Star Wars so iconic is that it connects with every generation of moviegoers," says Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann. "Some of us grew up with the original trilogy, some of us with the prequels, and some with the sequels."
"This event brings all fans together for one epic celebration, and that really is a testament to the power of cinema and the theatrical experience, as well as the incredible impact Star Wars has had on pop culture."
There will be plenty of additional entertainment during the near day-long marathon, including a custom menu of Star Wars-themed food and trivia games between screenings. The 501st Legion - a group of costumed fans dedicated to celebrating the franchise and contributing to their local community through charity and volunteer work - will also be checking in with the devotees in attendance.
You can find more details on the theater chain's website, including news on Alamo's "immersive Star Wars pop-up experience" and an Ultimate Fan Pack which includes a t-shirt and a collector's glass featuring art by Alamo Drafthouse's Chris Bilheimer and Mutant's Cesar Moreno.
In related news, it's also been confirmed that 25th-anniversary screenings of The Phantom Menace will feature a new look at Disney+'s upcoming Star Wars: The Acolyte TV series. It will be shown after the movie ends, so yes, you'll need to rewatch the 1999 prequel to get to that preview!
Looking to 2025, Disney and Lucasfilm have confirmed that Star Wars Celebration, the ultimate Star Wars fan event, is headed to Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan on April 18 - 20, 2025. Tickets for the event will go on sale Thursday, May 2, and to celebrate the announcement, Lucasfilm released special key art, which was created in the traditional, Japanese black-ink painting style known as sumi-e.
Star Wars Celebration features three days of major announcements, immersive exhibits, an interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, costumes, and other surprises celebrating all things Star Wars.
Take a closer look at this wallpaper-worthy poster for Star Wars Celebration below.