On May 25, 1977, American cinemas opened their doors to a film that carried no great stars, no established fanfare, and a title that sounded like a child’s toy. Star Wars premiered quietly in just 32 theatres, and yet crowds quickly formed outside the cinemas.
Reports and recordings confirm that audiences didn’t just watch the film; they clapped, they whooped, they cheered, the kind of ovation usually reserved for an opening night on Broadway.
Within weeks the film had expanded nationwide and become a runaway hit. By the end of the summer it was the year’s biggest success, credited with launching the blockbuster era and transforming movie merchandising.
TIMELINE
May 25, 1977 – An Unlikely Opening Day
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Star Wars opens in just 32 theatres across the United States.
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Directed by George Lucas, it arrives with little fanfare and few expectations.
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Some critics and executives doubt its appeal, but audiences respond with cheers and repeat viewings.
Late May – Word of Mouth Ignites
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Theatres quickly add extra showings to meet demand.
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In Los Angeles and San Francisco, fans begin returning to see the film multiple times.
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The line “May the Force be with you” begins its path from dialogue to cultural catchphrase.
June–July 1977 – Box Office Domination
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The release expands to hundreds of theatres nationwide.
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Star Wars overtakes Jaws to become the highest-grossing film in U.S. history, a record it holds until E.T. in 1982.
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Merchandising takes off: Kenner launches its “Early Bird” empty-box campaign for Christmas, which sells out despite offering only a promise of toys to come.
December 27, 1977 – Star Wars Opens in the UK
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After months of anticipation, British audiences finally see the film on its official release.
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Crowds line up around blocks and theatres sell out for weeks.
Reviews note its fairy-tale qualities and mythic echoes, marking it as more than just another science-fiction picture.
THE PRESS AT THE TIME
The headlines made clear: Star Wars was not just another film, it was a sensation.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal captured the frenzy in July with its front-page declaration: “America Goes Wild Over Movie ‘Star Wars’.”
The New York Daily News hailed it as “2001 with zip and zap” — praising George Lucas for blending Flash Gordon adventure with modern spectacle.
Even the New York Times devoted space to the phenomenon, with a feature calling C-3PO and R2-D2 “the freshest new film faces of 1977.”
Beyond the reviews, the press charted the cultural shockwave. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported: “‘Star Wars’ Items Sales Skyrocket.”
By December, the Telegraph summed up the toy shortage with its blunt headline: “Production Fails to Meet Heavy Demand for Toy.”
And the Eugene Register-Guard carried the unusual story of a theatre owner refusing to end his screenings while seats were still filled, declaring: “Star Wars to Remain at Theatre.”
LEGACY
Star Wars wasn’t just a hit. It was a phenomenon, merging myth, movie magic, and marketing in a way the world had never seen. It inspired generations of filmmakers, rewired Hollywood economics, and gave us a galaxy that somehow felt like home.
In a time before the internet, before viral trailers, before CGI, Star Wars made people believe again. In adventure. In good and evil. In hope.
Trace the Star Wars saga as it was first experienced — through over 150 pages of original Los Angeles Times coverage. From Sith and Skywalkers to starships and premieres, relive every moment as the world saw it unfold.
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