Parents' Guide to

Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope

By Matt Springer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Sci-fi action classic perfect for sharing with kids.

Movie PG 1977 120 minutes
Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 7+

Based on 90 parent reviews

mekleven
mekleven Parent of 10-year-old
November 18, 2020
age 11+

Rating completely off-base

This is the first CSM rating I've ever completely disagreed with. I understand there may be lots of parent Star Wars fans who can overlook the violence, but for most kids under 11, this is too much. There is a severed arm, burned bodies, a death by strangulation, and lots of warfare. My daughter (age 10) begged me to see it for the last two years and I finally relented based on CSM recommendations. Big mistake on my part.
Chris77martin
Chris77martin Parent of 9-year-old
April 13, 2020
age 11+

Not for small children

I have two kids - 7 and 8. I also teach children at school and have done for just over 20 years. My experience working with young people is extensive - just setting the scene! I want my children to watch this movie - but it is not approriate for them at the moment. It is too violent. Teaching kids to think violance is normal, makes it normal.
See all 90 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away," STAR WARS was the first movie released in the eventual six-film saga. Episode IV: A New Hope begins the adventures of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a lowly farmboy from the planet Tatooine who finds himself swept into an intergalactic civil war after encountering R2D2 (Kenny Baker) and C3P0 (Anthony Daniels), two droids carrying secret plans for an engine of destruction known as the Death Star. Luke brings the droids to former Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) who unexpectedly leads the motley crew into the hands of the evil Empire via the starship of smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his Wookie sidekick, Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew). The heroes rescue the captured Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and escape the Death Star just in time to lead a rebel assault against the space station and the vile Darth Vader (David Prowse/James Earl Jones), Dark Lord of the Sith.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (90 ):
Kids say (272 ):

This is one of those films that has become sewn into the very fabric of our popular culture. And yet, every day new kids are born who have never seen it. Watched through the lens of a young child, some of the scarier moments of the film suddenly become more striking. Darth Vader is one of the great film villains for a reason -- he's a frightening figure who engages in some very real moments of violence. With the continued prominence of the Star Wars story through animated series, video games, and toys, it may be tempting to introduce the films to children when they are too young to handle these more intense moments.

But if kids are old enough or mature enough to handle these moments, then it's likely that Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope will blow their little minds. It remains an enduring classic for the same reasons it made such an explosive impression way back in 1977. It's full of pulse-pounding action lifted straight from the classic 1930s film serials, it's got humor and character to spare, and the story guides you effortlessly into a completely original universe full of strange creatures and amazing sights. It's easy to be cynical about Star Wars given the billions of dollars it's earned selling everything from DVDs to toothbrushes, but returning to the original film with fresh eyes will remind you just how remarkable Star Wars was -- and continues to be.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the heavy merchandising of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope in the decades since its release. Kids: Did watching the movie make you want to buy toys or games related to the movie? What's the appeal of owning something you've seen in a movie?

  • Movies have changed so much since the late 1970s, when this film was released. Does it still seem exciting, or did you realize you were watching an older film at times?

  • What's the impact of the violence in this movie? Does the fact that the special effects look old fashioned change the way the violence comes across?

  • How do the characters in Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope demonstrate perseverance and self-control? What about courage and teamwork? Why are those important character strengths?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate