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The origins of Jar Jar Binks now apparently serve as the most popular Star Wars movie on Disney+. A new report claims that The Phantom Menace is the most-watched film in the franchise worldwide for the streaming service.
A Variety retrospective on The Phantom Menace–which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month–noted how much perception of the prequel film has changed over the past two decades. Additionally, this comes after Episode I showed it was still a box office force to be reckoned with after re-releasing in theaters the first weekend in May.
10 Phantom Menace Characters With a Lasting Impact on the Star Wars Universe
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Star Wars: The Phantom Menace originally premiered May 19, 1999, and was one of the most anticipated movies in history. However, critic and fan reaction was mixed at best, as people wrestled with the silliness of Jar Jar Binks and portraying Darth Vader as a young kid referred to as Ani. Yet, the children of that time period are adults now and apparently feel more fond about The Phantom Menace–as well as Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith–than initial feedback from 20 years ago.
Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best has even talked about how “painful” it was for his character to be so hated in the past. Qui-Gon Jinn actor Liam Neeson has defended Best and The Phantom Menace over the years. In 2020, Neeson said: “I got to be a Jedi, got to play with those wonderful lightsabers and stuff… I liked the movie. I’m proud of it.”
Next up for the franchise set in a galaxy far, far away is Star Wars: The Acolyte on Disney+. The series is set 100 years before The Phantom Menace and will premiere June 4 on the streaming service.
