thumb|300px|The original theatrical version of Return of the Jedi features [[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw as the Force spirit of Anakin Skywalker (above left). The 2004 DVD version replaces Shaw with Hayden Christensen (below left), who plays Anakin in the prequels.|alt=Two images, stacked vertically, of the same scene showing Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The top image shows an older man as Anakin. The bottom image shows a younger man as Anakin.]]
Many of the films in the Star Wars franchise have been , both theatrically and on home media formats. Franchise creator George Lucas often altered the films for the . These alterations range from minor refinements (such as color grading and audio mixing) to major changes (such as the insertion of new dialogue, scenes, and visual effects). The original trilogy was altered the most, although revisions were also made to the prequel films. According to Lucas, some changes brought the films closer to his original vision, while others were attempts to create continuity with other films.
Different versions of the Star Wars films have existed since the 1977 release of the original Star Wars film, which was later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope. However, the first major changes were made in 1997, when remastered Special Edition versions of the original trilogy films were released to commemorate the franchise's 20th anniversary. A major motivation for these changes was to test visual effects for the forthcoming prequel films, especially computer-generated imagery (CGI). Additional notable changes were made when the original trilogy was released on DVD in 2004, in an attempt to create more consistency with the prequel trilogy. More changes were made to the films for their Blu-ray release in 2011 and for their 4K Ultra HD release in 2019.
Although some fans and critics felt that many of the smaller changes were innocuous or justified, most larger changes were received negatively—particularly those made to the original three films, the theatrical versions of which have never been officially released on home video in high definition. Although the master negatives of the original trilogy were dismantled, another set of high-quality duplicates was created for long-term preservation.
Background
Prior to making Star Wars, George Lucas experienced dissatisfaction with the changes made to his previous films by the studios that produced them. His first feature, THX 1138 (1971), had five minutes removed by Warner Bros. His next film, American Graffiti (1973), had several minutes removed by Universal Pictures. Following the success of Star Wars, Lucas's original version of THX 1138 was theatrically released in 1977.
As an advocate for the moral rights of artists, Lucas spoke before the U.S. House of Representatives in 1988 in support of legislation that would discourage studios from altering films without the consent of their creators. Lucas stated:<blockquote>People who alter or destroy works of art, and our cultural heritage, for profit or as an exercise of power are barbarians ... Today, engineers with their computers can ... add or subtract material to the philosophical taste of the copyright holder. Tomorrow, more advanced technology will be able to replace actors with "fresher faces," or alter dialogue ... Attention should be paid to the interest of those who are yet unborn, who should be able to see ... the past generation as it saw itself, and how it worked with the mediums that were available to it.</blockquote>In 1989, the original release of Star Wars was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry (NFR). In 2014, it still did not have a "working copy" (a copy available for public viewing) of the 1977 film; Lucas refused to submit the original, stating that he no longer authorized the release of the theatrical version. Lucasfilm offered the 1997 "Special Edition" release, but the NFR refused it as the first published version must be accepted. The U.S. Library of Congress (LC) subsequently used a 35-mm print of the film submitted in 1978 as part of the film's copyright deposit to make a digital copy, which in 2015 was made available to watch in person at the LC. In June 2025, the British Film Institute screened the original film in its unaltered form at a film festival. In December 2025, Lucasfilm announced that a restoration of the unaltered original film would return to theaters on February 19, 2027, in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Color, compositing, and minor effects adjustments were made to all three films of the original trilogy. to align with the titling of the sequel, Star Wars: Episode VThe Empire Strikes Back (1980).