The Phantom Menace is now the most streamed Star Wars movie on Disney+

The Phantom Menace returned to theaters on May 3rd when it was re-released in celebration of its 25th anniversary. According to new data, the movie is being watched in big numbers on Disney+ too.

Variety, via ScreenRant, shows that The Phantom Menace is getting just as much attention on Disney+, where it's now the Star Wars franchise's most-watched movie. Along with earning nearly $15 million combined domestically and internationally, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace can now add another feather to its cap as it rules the charts on Disney+. This is a huge achievement for a movie that was viciously ripped apart by fans and critics upon its release in 1999. Even now, many rate it as among the worst Star Wars movies and George Lucas's weakest.

However, The Phantom Menace continues to hold up well thanks to the film's many positive aspects, including performances by Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor, the brilliantly choreographed duels, and John William's soundtrack. It also helps that the kids who loved Episode I are now adults, and they have the support of an entire new generation of prequel-era fans, thanks to seven seasons of The Clone Wars. Being an animated series, The Clone Wars introduced just as many kids to the franchise as The Phantom Menace did in 1999.

It's amazing how different the franchise would've looked had George Lucas decided to take an easy path and make another A New Hope. Instead, Lucas chose the controversial and bold choice to explore Anakin's childhood by taking audiences inside his home and into the plight of childhood slavery. The movie reveals Anakin's life being raised by a single mother, which allowed Palpatine to pose as a father figure and groom Anakin from the moment he arrived on Coruscant. After years of confiding in Palpatine, Anakin grew to trust the Sith Lord, making it easy for Palpatine to lure Anakin to the dark side. The groundwork for Anakin's eventual downfall was laid in The Phantom Menace, which makes it essential to the Skywalker saga.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is streaming on Disney+.