On May 4, commonly used farewell-language such as, “goodbye,” “see you later” or “good luck,” is widely replaced with “May the Fourth be with you” — a cheeky nod to the unofficial international holiday, Star Wars Day.
Whether you are a fan of the franchise or not, it is difficult to avoid “Star Wars” as the plot continues to unfold after three trilogies beginning in 1977 and several side-stories. The storyline ignited a worldwide fanbase and a desire to see more science fiction on the silver screen.
“…by the 1950s, space science fiction appeared mostly in alien monster movies or as children’s television programming that was cheaply produced and melodramatic,” according to the National Air and Space Museum. “The unexpected success of the first ‘Star Wars’ movie in 1977 inspired other production houses to rediscover space adventures as a bankable genre. For instance, the planned television series ‘Star Trek: Phase II’ was revamped and greenlit as ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ (1979).”
In addition to changing the entertainment industry, “Star Wars” became a through-line for society. Children collected “Star Wars” merchandise or dressed up as iconic characters for Halloween such as, “Luke Skywalker” or “Darth Vader,” then grew up to watch their children do the same thing.
While Star Wars Day occurs each year, 2026 and 2027 are teed-up to be extra special because movies are slated to release in May for both years.
The newest upcoming movie, “The Mandalorian & Grogu” is set to release to theaters on May 22, 2026, and another starring Ryan Gosling — “Star Wars: Starfighter” — is expected to release on May 28, 2027.
For those who may need a refresh, the movies are available on Disney+, starting at $11.99 for six months as part of the Hulu bundle deal.
Here’s more on Star Wars Day, May 4, 2026:
Why is May 4 Star Wars Day?
May 4 is Star Wars Day, an unofficial holiday to celebrate the “Star Wars” movies. The date allows for a pun, “May the Fourth be with you,” referencing the mythical energy field in the movies: the force. In addition, the month of May is special as the original and prequel trilogies were released in May spanning from 1977-2005. The first movie, “Star Wars: A New Hope,” released on May 25, 1977.
Though the phrase is connected to “Star Wars,” it was first used in a political ad in 1979 in England, according to Reader’s Digest and StarWars.com. The phrase later became popular in “Star Wars” jargon.
Fun facts about Star Wars
If the phrase, “May the Fourth be with you” feels overdone, here are some fun facts to share instead on May 4, according to Mental Floss and StarWars.com:
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Why is May 4 Star Wars Day? What to know about the unofficial holiday
Reporting by Sarah Moore, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
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