Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menance - Sci-Fi & Fantasy Movies

George Lucas directed and wrote the 1999 space opera film Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. The movie is the fourth in the Star Wars saga and is the first of three prequels. The film introduces viewers to a young Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Anakin would later become Darth Vader. The film stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Ahmed Best, Pernilla August, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and Ray Park.

Star Wars Episode 1 was greeted with extensive media coverage and anticipation. The movie was released on May 19, 1999 to mixed reviews by 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm. Despite the reviews, the movie grossed just shy of $1 billion dollars worldwide ($924.3 million). According to the work-issues consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, 2.2 million full-time employees did not report to work in order to see the film.