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Star Wars Day is here and with it comes fantastic deals, new products and sometimes new announcements. We will be here with you, picking the best of the bunch all day on May the 4th.
Every May the 4th, we celebrate one of the most popular franchises in movie history. Star Wars is a cultural phenomenon that has spawned 15 movies, countless episodes of TV and bits of merch as numerous as the stars in a galaxy far, far away. For almost 50 years, it has amazed children, annoyed adults and made a bucket of money for George Lucas and Disney.
Today we are going to see a lot of excellent deals on Star Wars toys, games and apparel, as well as news about upcoming projects. We’re going to spend the day with you here, looking at as many of them as we can. May the 4th be with us all.
Our favorite Star Wars Day finds
Which order should you watch the movies?
By James Bricknell
As Russell mentioned earlier, you can currently buy all nine of the main Star Wars movies — what we would consider the Skywalker Saga — for just $127 right now. But once you’ve bought them, what order should you watch them in?
If you’ve seen them before, chronological is perfectly acceptable, but if you’re introducing someone to the franchise, I would recommend a different structure.
- A New Hope (Episode 4)
- Empire Strikes Back (Episode 5)
- Phantom Menace (Episode 1)
- Attack of the Clones (Episode 2)
- Revenge of the Sith (Episode 3)
- Return of the Jedi (Episode 6)
- The Force Awakens (Episode 7)
- The Last Jedi (Episode 8)
- The Rise of Skywalker (Episode 9)
By watching it in this order, you keep the cliffhanger from the original series, then get to go back and learn how that cliffhanger happened. It also makes the climax of Return of the Jedi far more impactful. I would also recommend watching Rogue One and Solo at this point, then finish up with the final trilogy to close out the entire saga.
This is my favorite way to watch movies, and it’s simply the best way to enjoy the entire series.
Sneak a peek at Bath & Body Works’ upcoming collection
By Max McHone
While the full collection doesn’t officially hit shelves until May 11, Bath & Body Works is celebrating Star Wars Day by giving us our first look at its new Mandalorian and Grogu collaboration. There are some awesome exclusives available like the Mythosaur messenger bag, along with a candle, hand sanitizer holder and more. Just note that these are only available to Bath & Body Works members, and the early availability only lasts until 2:59 a.m. PT (5:59 a.m. ET).
3D printing and Star Wars go hand in hand
By James Bricknell
3D printing is one of my favorite hobbies — and my area of expertise here at CNET — so I tend to print a lot of cool things from the shows and movies I love. One of my favorite pieces of art is this trench run I made. It’s 3D-printed in Elegoo rapid black PLA, then lightly brushed with graphite powder to give it a metal sheen.
I then made the box frame out of oak and added blinking red lights to make it more dynamic. It took a long time, but I’m very happy with the result.
My colleague Russell is also a big maker, and he’s printed several different lightsabers and other Star Wars-style art. I especially like his lightsaber fans. They’re perfect for walking around hot conventions.
If you’re looking for a 3D printer to start working on cool gadgets, let me suggest the Snapmaker U1. It has four separate print heads that let you print in different colors or materials. It’s really easy to use and super fun to play around with. It’s currently $100 off, too.
You can get a sneak peak at the new Star Wars movie
By James Bricknell
My daughter, 7, wanted to get me something for my birthday, so her mum took her to Target to get me this wonderful little Grogu Lego set. I love it, and it’s fitting right now, as The Mandalorian and Grogu movie is set to hit theaters around the US on May 22.
Today, though, you can get a sneak peek of the upcoming movie in multiple places around the web. Meara Isenburg has all the details of where you can watch.
Travel the galaxy in style
By Max McHone
Disney isn’t the only place you’ll find some new Star Wars merch today. Heroes & Villains is also getting in on the May the 4th celebration with some new Star Wars gear of its own, including some stylish new bags. It’s got sling bags stating at $75, backpacks for $150 and even some Mandalorian and Grogu-inspired luggage that you can preorder now. Plus, it’s offering 20% off tons of other merch and apparel.
A trio of trilogies, on sale for now
By Russell Holly
I’m old enough to remember it being a very big deal when the original Star Wars trilogy was released on DVD, and how many people grabbed that collector’s edition with a big grin on their faces. Today, there are many more movies in the story, with visual and audio quality greater than ever. We’ve never had it better as Star Wars fans.
While it’s true you can watch all of the Star Wars you want with a Disney Plus subscription, the best picture and sound will always come from physical versions. Today, you can get all three trilogies on Blu-ray in a collection that has been modestly discounted for the first time. It will cost you $127 for all nine films, which is just over $14 per movie and loads of extras to watch. A worthy addition to any collection, if you ask me.
Blue milk is back. And you should get some
By James Bricknell
While you can always get blue milk courtesy of TruMoo at the Disney parks, it’s only on select days of the year that you can get it in the real world. Right now, if you visit starwarsmilk.com, you can find a local store and stock up on some of Luke Skywalker’s favorite drink.
Hot deals on Hot Toys
By Max McHone
Hot Toys makes makes unbelievably detailed figures for serious collectors, and they definitely don’t come cheap. This Star Wars Day brought a handful of new figures that you can preorder now, as well as a rare chance to save on some older releases. Now through May 8, Sideshow is offering 25% off all in-stock Star Wars figures with the promo code SWDEAL26. Just note that Sideshow also carries some collectibles from other brands.
One of the cooler Star Wars containers
By Russell Holly
What started out as a background prop in the original trilogy made out of an old ice cream maker has become a treasured prop you can actually use as a safe to security hold your prized Star Wars gear. You can find the camtono safe in several modern Star Wars projects, but you can also buy it from Disney directly and set your own password combination to open it.
This is genuinely one of my favorite things to bring out for parties or to make a dramatic reveal of something when I’m feeling silly, and today you can get one for $45. If this is your kind of thing, I’d grab one before they sell out once again.
CNET got to see the newest Grogu toy from Hasbro
By James Bricknell
Bridget Carey got a first look at Hasbro’s latest high-end toy, the animatronic Grogu. This thing is amazing. It can use the force to move a biscuit and generally acts like a little baby Yoda. I wish I had the galactic credits for it.
This one’s for the Thrawn fans
By Russell Holly
Disney just dropped over 100 new pieces of merch
By Max McHone
Disney is going all out for Star Wars Day this year. Its new collection just went live this morning and features over 100 new pieces of merch for you to shop. You’ll find everything from clothes and accessories to high-end collectibles and costumes, including plenty of new gear inspired by The Mandalorian and Grogu movie hitting theaters later this month. Just note that you’ll have to queue to shop this collection, and you’ll only have 10 minutes to place your order.
Amazon has Star Wars board games on discount
By James Bricknell
I was born to be a Star Wars Nerd
By James Bricknell
Today is my 46th birthday. That’s right, this Star Wars nerd was born on May the 4th, the perfect day. I’ll admit my first recollections of the original trilogy are from watching them on TV, not at the theater, but the story and, more importantly, the toys, were a massive influence on me growing up.
One of my favorite experiences here at CNET was the chance to try the Hasbro Selfie Series (now discontinued) and have my face added to an X-wing pilot action figure. I still have the figure; it sits on my shelf next to my vintage Yoda and Picard (my other space-movie love), and it brings me a lot of joy every time I look at it.
It’s been nearly 50 years of Star Wars at this point, and I hope we see 50 more. I would watch them in my dotage and play with the toys until I’m 100.
This new Columbia Bahama shirt is better than Beskar
By Max McHone
Swap your Beskar armor for this this new special-edition Bahama shirt to celebrate the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu movie. It’s breathable, quick-drying and offers UPF 50 protection, and has multiple pockets to store all your bounty hunting essentials. Prices start at $80 for adults and $55 for kids.
Lego there
By James Bricknell
Lego and Star Wars have a long history together, and it’s clear that the relationship is as strong as ever. I got to play with the new Lego Star Wars Smart Play sets and, despite being a little gimmicky, they are a whole heap of fun.
The X-wing build was a lot of fun, and I did get a kick out of the Smart Brick and the noise it makes. As you fly the X-wing around, R2-D2 squeals, and you can shoot lasers at the press of a button.
It doesn’t add any bulk to the build either, just a simple brick that has a good volume and several accelerometers to add to the fun. One of the little buildings that comes in the box is an Empire laser turret that makes crashing sounds if you tip it over. It makes me giggle every time I do it.
The X-wing itself uses the brick to great effect. It makes all the movement noises as you fly around, but if you press the red button on top, it moves the brick forward, triggering the accelerometer and making the laser “pew pew” sound. Then, as it moves back into place, the NFC reads the R2-D2 tag and makes its noises as well. It really does work very well.
Overall, the $90 cost of the X-wing feels like a decent deal. The Smart Brick is not tied to the set you have, so it can be used in other sets eventually, and you get the X-wing and three mini sets to play with, too. Plus R2-D2, Leia and Luke minifigs that all make fun noises when they’re near the brick.
Welcome to the May the 4th live blog
By James Bricknell
(Imagine this is in a yellow scroll running up the screen.)
It is a time of great tribulation throughout the galaxy. AI has taken over much of the landscape, and gouts of slop pollute our eyes. Prices have skyrocketed; the empire seems ready to crumble.
There are some pockets of resistance, though. Places where enjoyment can still be found. CNET has launched a live blog for Star Wars Day, a day celebrated by all who love both Wars and Stars.
OK, you can tell I’m not a screenwriter. I do love Star Wars, though, so I’m excited to spend some time finding awesome stuff to show you.
