When Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005, it was met with mixed reactions. Yet, in the two decades since its release, the film’s reputation has radically transformed. Once seen as a flawed but necessary conclusion to the prequels, Revenge of the Sith is now widely regarded as one of the standout entries in the entire Star Wars saga.
Upon initial release, Revenge of the Sith was praised as the best of the much-reviled trilogy it concluded. General reaction found it a serviceable tying together of the rise of Darth Vader and the fall of Anakin Skywalker, effectively bridging the prequels with the beloved original trilogy. Nevertheless, it still carried the weight of disappointment that had followed The Phantom Menace (1999) and Attack of the Clones (2002). It faced criticism over George Lucas’ dialogue, Hayden Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin, and the excessive use of CGI.
However, the reception to its re-release has shown a remarkable shift in public opinion. Revenge of the Sith has proved a force to be reckoned with, amassing an estimated $90 million at the worldwide box office. This not only outperformed new movies like The Accountant 2, starring Ben Affleck, but it is now the second of all the top-grossing re-releases, beaten only by Titanic’s mammoth $350 million. Moreover, this is a huge win for Episode III and the prequels, showing that the tide is turning on the once-reviled trilogy.
Elsewhere, Hayden Christensen, previously mocked for his performance, has recently been embraced by fans as a Star Wars legend. He has appeared in several of the new Star Wars projects under Disney, from Obi-Wan to Ashoka, the latter of which he will return for in the upcoming second season.
Several factors have contributed to the film’s rising popularity over two decades. First and foremost, the generation that grew up with the prequels are now adults. Star Wars is a culture-defining franchise and many that attracts fans across generations, and for many millennials and Gen Z enthusiasts, Revenge of the Sith was their Star Wars. As they have grown older, their nostalgic attachment has sparked renewed appreciation for the film’s strengths.
Furthermore, the film has benefited from the fandom’s re-examination of the prequel trilogy, particularly in the wake of the sequel trilogy (2015-19) sparking its own controversies.
Fan opinion of the new Star Wars era became divisive for many reasons, well-documented during and since its initial run. There are arguably two main sources of criticism that explain the sequel trilogy’s poor reception. First is that it was often too similar to the originals story-wise: a seemingly unsuspecting protagonist from a desert planet becomes a heroic Jedi and overthrows the evil Emperor Palpatine. Second, and perhaps contradictorily, its reversal of so much of the originals’ significant story arcs: from Luke’s maturity in Jedi master to Vader’s noble sacrifice as (somehow) Palpatine returned.
What makes Revenge of the Sith hold up well is because it is a pure contrast to the original trilogy. Whilst the setup is once again the same, the prequel trilogy’s conclusion is tragic. Many now highlight the film’s bold storytelling and its depiction of moral and political collapse: heroes die, betray their friends or are forced into exile while the villains rule victorious over the galaxy.
Anakin’s story is of failure and Luke’s is of growth, for not just himself but those around him: from his corrupted father to his former-smuggler best friend, Han Solo, who both turn to heroes inspired by Luke’s heroism.
Moreover, this trilogy and its chronological successor all tell a story of Anakin’s fall and redemption, which allows fans rewatching the movies in a tight binge to transition into the classic originals seamlessly.
Revenge of the Sith was also helped by the growth of the Star Wars expanded universe, which utilises different media. Animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels added depth to the events of the prequels and main characters like Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padmé, giving fans more emotional investment in the stories. Indeed, the added context has enhanced viewers’ appreciation of the prequel trilogy’s main heroes and their tragic fates.
Beyond the storytelling and worldbuilding, Revenge of the Sith has become a timeless treasure trove for memes. Key moments in the film have found new life and meaning online, from Obi-Wan’s humorous remarks (“Hello there!”) to even the emotional dialogue between him and Anakin on Mustafa (“You turned her against me!” “You have done that yourself”). This keeps the film in constant circulation on social media, drawing in new audiences from generations who may not have seen it initially in cinemas.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith has undergone an extraordinary evolution in public opinion. Initially met with division, it has become a beloved installment by those who grew up with it and the new generation of fans alike. The passage of time, nostalgia and division over Disney’s Star Wars tenure have helped many fans to look back on the prequels with fresh appreciation.
Revenge of the Sith particularly stands out for its emotional depth, tragic character arcs, and its place in the series, as well as for providing the connective tissue of the expanded universe. These aspects have helped transform it from a divisive blockbuster into a fan favorite that continues to resonate with audiences today.
Words by Joseph Jenkinson
Support the Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.