Happy 45th Birthday to Star Wars!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, or more precisely 45 years ago in the Milky Way galaxy, the first Star Wars film blasted on to the scene on May 25, 1977. Star Wars (eventually renamed Star Wars: A New Hope, episode 4) quickly became the highest grossing film ever. making $775 million in box office sales worldwide.

Prior to it’s release, 20th Century Fox had little faith in the movie but movie goers proved them wrong seeing the film again and again, and 45 years later after several sequals, prequals, and spinoffs, Star Wars has launched multiple generations of fans, films, movie stars’ careers, merchandise and more.

Star Wars is a classic story of good vs. evil, full of heroes and heroines, fantasy and reality the likes we had never seen before. Celebrate the birthday of the most iconic sci-fi series ever created by watching some of the epic films, tv shows, or reading the fantastical literature that encompasses the ever-growing world that Star Wars: A New Hope, launched 45 years ago today.