As I've said before, Star Wars isn't gone, it's being held hostage. 

It's the 20th Anniversary of Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith, and while many have written off Disney Star Wars, the George Lucas-led flicks are still just as loved as they've always been, and you can see that in the way people flocked to theaters to celebrate the film's 20th birthday. 

While it still lost out to Sinners, Revenge topped all the other films in theaters right now, according to Cosmic Book News: 

Monday AM update: Sinners brought in $45M; Star Wars $25.2M, and The Accountant 2 $24.5M, with Minecraft $22.7M, and Until Dawn $8M.

Overall, this brings its all-time domestic box office to $405.4 million, according to The Numbers. 

Here are some more interesting facts that might surprise you about the film's popularity. According to box office hawk Luiz Fernando, Revenge beat Titanic's 15th anniversary $17.3 million re-release in 2012 and The Lion King's 2011 $30.2 million re-release. It also demolished Avatar's $10.5 million re-opening as the biggest post-COVID. 

#StarWars Episode III: #RevengeOfTheSith had its 20th anniversary received with THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE, as 51st film in history to cross 400M mark at US #BoxOffice.
INTERGALACTIC 25.2M re-release 3-day Opening weekend, beating #Titanic 15th anniversary 2012 3D reissue’s 17.3M as… pic.twitter.com/2IEBrKEz18

— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) April 27, 2025

The hype around the film is real, and it seems to be generated by the fact that people miss that old Star Wars experience. 

A mass of fans came out, complete with lightsabers and Jedi attire. At one showing, Anakin Skywalker himself, Hayden Christensen, even came out to give a little pre-watch speech and was greeted by a theater full of excited fans. 

This truly is Hayden Christensen's week. He's so happy and getting all the love. I'm so here for it! 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/1HoVVPlUkP

— Lily* (@300mirrors) April 26, 2025

Even Samuel L. Jackson, who played Mace Windu, made an appearance. 

THIS IS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/iP4Ng36WQ9

— Hayden Christensen stan | Wicked (@wickeyden) April 26, 2025

This is kind of funny, seeing as how the film was looked at as the best of the worst three in 2005, but now that people have gotten a solid look at what Disney has done to the brand, Revenge has taken on a whole new life and is far more appreciated. 

I think it's become pretty clear that much of the anger around Star Wars isn't toward Star Wars itself, but toward Disney's treatment of it. The fans are still there, waiting for something great to come along and revive the love around the franchise. When given the opportunity, these fans will come out and celebrate the greatness that it used to be. 

Disney's treatment of Star Wars has been plagued with everything from bad storytelling to social justice controversy. Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy is considered a villain among the vast majority of Star Wars fans for her gross mishandling of the franchise. Nowadays, much of Lucasfilm's offerings are dead on arrival, with shows like The Acolyte being horribly received and garnering few eyeballs, while being cancelled after the first season. 

(READ: The Numbers Are in for Star Wars 'The Acolyte' and Disney Isn't Going to Be Happy)

But it's clear that people still remember a time when Star Wars was a cultural force that had a wide and excited fan base. Hopefully, one day the franchise can be rescued by people who truly love and appreciate it, and we can have that feeling back again.