In a stunning display of enduring fandom, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith has stormed the box office with a staggering $42 million-plus global gross during its 20th anniversary re-release, which began on April 25, 2025. The re-release, celebrating the 2005 prequel’s legacy, has not only shattered expectations but also reignited a passionate debate among fans, many of whom are hailing it as a triumphant return to “real Star Wars” in contrast to what they perceive as the “woke mess” of Disney’s recent offerings. The film’s success, driven by nostalgia, a 4DX theatrical experience, and a cultural backlash against modern Star Wars projects, has made it one of the biggest re-releases in history. This 1500-word article explores the factors behind Revenge of the Sith’s explosive performance, the fan sentiment fueling its revival, and what this means for the future of the Star Wars franchise.

A Galactic Comeback: The Box Office Numbers

The 20th anniversary re-release of Revenge of the Sith, directed by George Lucas, was announced by Lucasfilm in February 2025 and rolled out across 2,775 theaters in the U.S. alone, marking the widest re-release ever for a Star Wars film. The film grossed $3.4 million in Thursday previews and surged to $11.3 million on its opening Friday, ultimately earning $25.2 million domestically over its opening weekend, securing the #2 spot behind Sinners ($45 million). Globally, the re-release has amassed over $42 million in its first week, with projections suggesting a potential climb toward $100 million during its limited one-week run, though some theaters may extend screenings due to demand. This performance has already outpaced other Disney-era Star Wars re-releases, such as The Phantom Menace ($8.7 million opening in 2024) and Return of the Jedi ($5.1 million in 2023), and is on track to challenge The Lion King’s 2011 re-release record of $30.2 million for the biggest modern re-release opening.

The film’s success is remarkable given its age and availability on streaming platforms like Disney+. Unlike re-releases boosted by 3D conversions, such as Titanic ($350 million globally in 2012), Revenge of the Sith relied on standard and 4DX formats, with high-tech motion chairs and environmental effects enhancing the experience of battles like the Mustafar duel between Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Presales crossed $10 million before the April 25 premiere, reflecting intense fan enthusiasm amplified by Star Wars Celebration and the concurrent release of Andor Season 2. Posts on X, such as one proclaiming, “Revenge of the Sith just made $25-30 mil in rerelease I don’t think anyone is caring if it’s good or not lmfao,” underscore the fervor driving its box office dominance.

Why Fans Are Flocking: Nostalgia and the “Real Star Wars” Appeal

Revenge of the Sith’s re-release taps into a potent wave of nostalgia for the prequel trilogy, which has undergone a cultural reassessment since its divisive 1999-2005 run. Originally released on May 19, 2005, the film grossed $850 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of that year behind Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Praised for its darker tone, emotional depth, and the tragic transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader, it earned a 79% Rotten Tomatoes score and is widely considered the strongest prequel. Its iconic moments—Anakin’s fall, the execution of Order 66, and the Obi-Wan-Anakin duel—have spawned countless memes and cosplay staples, from “I have the high ground” to Palpatine’s “Unlimited power!”

For many fans, Revenge of the Sith represents the “real Star Wars”—a term used on X to describe the George Lucas-era films, which prioritized mythic storytelling and practical effects over what some perceive as Disney’s politicized approach. The re-release’s timing, coinciding with dissatisfaction over Disney’s sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker) and streaming series like The Book of Boba Fett, has amplified this sentiment. Fans on X have contrasted the prequels’ “heartfelt” storytelling with Disney’s “woke” projects, citing The Acolyte’s inclusion of diverse characters and The Last Jedi’s subversion of Luke Skywalker as examples of a disconnect. One X post declared, “The Sith re-release proves fans want Lucas’ vision, not Disney’s forced agendas,” reflecting a belief that the prequels embody a purer Star Wars ethos.

This nostalgia is bolstered by the prequels’ resurgence among younger fans who grew up with them. Hayden Christensen’s return as Anakin in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka has further endeared him to audiences, with his Star Wars Celebration appearance in 2025 generating buzz for his Ahsoka Season 2 role. The re-release’s 4DX format, featuring motion chairs synchronized with lightsaber battles and space dogfights, has drawn both longtime fans and new viewers, with theaters reporting packed screenings and cosplayers flooding lobbies. The cultural potency of this revival is evident in X posts like, “Sinners dropping just 10% in its second weekend, Revenge of the Sith rerelease making $25-$30m despite being a 20-year-old movie… theaters aren’t going anywhere.”

The “Woke” Backlash: A Cultural Divide

The claim that fans prefer “real Star Wars” over a “recent woke mess” stems from a vocal segment of the fandom critical of Disney’s stewardship since acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012. The sequel trilogy, while commercially successful (The Force Awakens grossed $2 billion), faced criticism for retconning established lore and sidelining original characters. The Last Jedi’s portrayal of Luke as a disillusioned hermit and The Acolyte’s focus on diverse leads and non-traditional Jedi narratives sparked accusations of “pushing woke agendas,” with terms like “M-She-U” (a pejorative for female-led projects) resurfacing on X. The cancellation of The Acolyte after one season, despite a 78% Rotten Tomatoes score, was seen by some as validation of fan pushback, with posts claiming, “Disney’s learning the hard way: don’t mess with Star Wars canon.”

Revenge of the Sith’s re-release has become a rallying point for these fans, who view it as a return to a less politicized era. The film’s focus on universal themes—betrayal, loyalty, and sacrifice—resonates without the modern cultural debates that have dogged Disney’s output. Its box office success, outpacing new releases like The Accountant 2 ($24 million), is interpreted as a rejection of Disney’s approach. However, this narrative oversimplifies the landscape. Disney’s Andor Season 2, praised for its gritty storytelling, and The Mandalorian have garnered strong fan support, suggesting that quality, not ideology, drives reception. The “woke” critique also ignores Revenge of the Sith’s own diversity, with Samuel L. Jackson’s prominent role as Mace Windu, indicating that inclusivity isn’t inherently at odds with fan approval.

The Industry Context: Re-Releases and Theatrical Resilience

The Revenge of the Sith re-release is part of a broader trend of studios leveraging nostalgia to boost theatrical revenue post-COVID. Disney’s re-releases of The Phantom Menace ($19 million globally in 2024) and Return of the Jedi ($3 million in 2020) tested this strategy, but Revenge of the Sith’s $42 million haul dwarfs them, rivaling Titanic’s 2012 re-release ($350 million). The film’s success, alongside Sinners ($162 million globally) and A Minecraft Movie ($817 million), contributed to a $146 million domestic weekend, the fourth-best April weekend ever, per industry reports. AMC CEO Adam Aron noted “upticks in overall revenues and concessions,” signaling a theatrical resurgence driven by premium experiences like 4DX.

This performance challenges the narrative of “superhero fatigue” plaguing Marvel and DC, showing that beloved franchises can still draw crowds. The re-release’s timing, just before Star Wars Day (May 4), and its new poster art by Matt Ferguson have amplified its cultural impact, with fans sharing cosplay photos and “Execute Order 66” memes on X. However, the one-week run limits its potential to reach the speculated $1 billion global milestone, a feat that would require an extended release. The film’s current global total, including its 2005 run, stands at approximately $892 million, tantalizingly close to that mark.

Fan Reactions: A Triumph or a Protest?

On X, reactions to Revenge of the Sith’s box office explosion are jubilant but divisive. Posts like “¡ÉXITO HISTÓRICO! La Venganza de los Sith ha logrado ser el 2do reestreno con más taquilla en la historia del cine” celebrate its $42 million global haul as a historic win, second only to Star Wars’ 1997 re-release ($35.9 million, unadjusted). Others frame it as a protest against Disney, with one user stating, “Fans showed up for Sith because it’s Star Wars done right, not the woke garbage we’ve gotten lately.” These sentiments reflect a belief that Lucas’ vision—flawed but authentic—resonates more than Disney’s polished but contentious output.

Yet, not all fans align with the “anti-woke” narrative. Supporters of Disney’s era argue that Revenge of the Sith’s success is less about rejecting modernity and more about celebrating a universally loved film. One X post noted, “Sith’s killing it because it’s a banger, not because people hate The Acolyte. Let’s not make this a culture war.” Critics of the backlash also highlight the prequels’ own controversies—wooden dialogue, Jar Jar Binks—suggesting that nostalgia glosses over flaws. The divide underscores a broader tension: Star Wars as a shared cultural touchstone versus a battleground for ideological disputes.

Implications for Star Wars and Disney

The Revenge of the Sith re-release’s triumph poses challenges and opportunities for Disney. The studio’s upcoming slate, including The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 2026) and a Daisy Ridley-led New Jedi Order, must navigate fan expectations heightened by this nostalgia-driven success. The strong performance suggests that leaning into Lucas-era aesthetics—epic battles, mythic stakes—could win back skeptical fans, but dismissing diversity risks alienating younger audiences. Kathleen Kennedy’s reported exit as Lucasfilm president by late 2025 adds uncertainty, with fans speculating about a shift toward “fan-first” storytelling.

For the industry, Revenge of the Sith’s box office haul reaffirms the power of re-releases as a low-risk, high-reward strategy. Unlike new films requiring massive budgets, re-releases leverage existing assets, with Sith’s $113 million original cost long recouped. Disney may consider extending the run or re-releasing other classics, like The Empire Strikes Back, to capitalize on this trend. The success also bodes well for Andor Season 2 and Ahsoka Season 2, which balance prequel-era ties with fresh narratives.

Conclusion: A Force Still Strong

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’s $42 million-plus re-release haul is more than a box office victory; it’s a testament to the enduring power of George Lucas’ vision and the Star Wars fandom’s passion. By celebrating “real Star Wars,” fans have sent a message to Disney: deliver stories that honor the saga’s roots while embracing its potential to evolve. The “woke mess” narrative, while overstated, reflects genuine frustrations that Disney must address to unify its audience. As Revenge of the Sith continues to draw crowds, its legacy as a bridge between the prequels and the original trilogy grows stronger, proving that, 20 years later, the Force remains a force to be reckoned with at the box office.