TL;DR
- The Vibe: Dark, tragic, and visually intense. This is the "bridge" movie where the hero becomes the villain.
- The Age Gap: While The Phantom Menace was for the 7-year-olds, this is firmly for the 11+ crowd.
- Watch This First: The Clone Wars (Animated Series) makes the emotional payoff 10x better.
- Key Media Mentions: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
- The "Big Talk": Betrayal, how "good" people make "bad" choices, and the political parallels of democracy vs. empire.
Can we just take a second to process that 2005 was twenty years ago? If you were in high school or college when Revenge of the Sith first hit theaters, you probably remember the midnight release, the clunky flip phones, and the absolute shock of seeing Anakin Skywalker finally put on the mask.
Now, Lucasfilm is bringing it back to theaters for the 20th anniversary, and your kids—who have likely been raised on Disney+ and Minecraft Star Wars mods—are going to want to see it on the big screen.
But here’s the thing: this isn't the "fun" Star Wars. This isn't podracing and Jar Jar Binks. This is the movie where the Jedi Order gets dismantled, the "younglings" meet a grim fate, and a guy gets his limbs chopped off before being left to burn next to a lava river. It’s a lot.
For the uninitiated (or those who blocked out the prequels), Revenge of the Sith is the third chapter of the prequel trilogy. It’s the grand finale of Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side. We see the end of the Clone Wars, the betrayal of the Jedi by their own clones (Order 66), and the birth of the Galactic Empire.
It’s the connective tissue that leads directly into the original 1977 A New Hope. If your kid has seen the Obi-Wan Kenobi series or played Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, they are already living in the aftermath of this specific movie.
If you hear your kid shouting "It's over, Anakin! I have the high ground!" while standing on the couch, they’ve been watching Star Wars memes.
Kids love this movie because it’s the most "epic" of the prequels. The lightsaber choreography is faster and more aggressive than anything in the original trilogy. It feels high-stakes. Plus, the lore is deep. Between YouTube lore channels and Roblox roleplay servers, kids today often know more about the "tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise" than they do about actual history.
Check out our guide on why Star Wars lore is the new mythology for Gen Alpha
Let’s be real: George Lucas is a visionary, but the man cannot write romantic dialogue to save his life. The scenes between Anakin and Padmé are still cringey. Some of the CGI has that "early 2000s video game" sheen that hasn't aged perfectly.
However, the last 45 minutes of this movie are genuinely some of the best in the entire franchise. The John Williams score is carrying a lot of the emotional weight, and the final duel on Mustafar is a masterclass in stunt work. It’s a tragedy in the classical sense. If you can get past the "I'm so in love with you" / "No, I'm so in love with you" dialogue, it’s a powerful experience.
This is the only Star Wars movie (besides Solo) that really earns its PG-13 rating. Here’s how to break it down by age:
Ages 6-9: Proceed with Extreme Caution
Honestly? This might be too much for the little ones. Even if they’ve played with the LEGO Star Wars sets, the actual film is violent. The "Order 66" sequence shows Jedi being gunned down in the back by their friends. The "Younglings" scene—where Anakin enters a room of children with his lightsaber drawn—is handled off-screen, but the implication is heavy.
Ages 10-12: The Sweet Spot
This is usually when kids start craving "darker" stories. They want to see the stakes. If they’ve already watched The Clone Wars, they are emotionally invested in these characters. Be prepared for some big questions about why Anakin turned evil and why the "good guys" lost.
Ages 13+: All Systems Go
At this point, they’ve likely seen worse in Stranger Things or played more violent games like Fortnite. They can handle the themes of political corruption and the physical transformation of Vader.
Ask our chatbot for a curated list of Star Wars media by age
- Body Horror: The ending features a character losing multiple limbs and catching fire. It’s intense. It’s not "slasher movie" gore, but it’s definitely "burnt skin and screaming" intensity.
- Emotional Weight: The theme of betrayal is heavy. For sensitive kids, seeing the "clones" (who are the heroes of the animated show) turn on their Jedi leaders can be genuinely upsetting.
- The "Younglings": Even though it’s a meme now, some kids might find the idea of a hero killing children deeply disturbing. It's worth a "hey, you know this is a movie, right?" check-in.
After the credits roll, your kid is going to want to dive into the digital world of Star Wars. Here’s where they’ll likely go:
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: This is the safest and most fun way to engage. It retells the story with humor and removes the trauma. It’s great for all ages.
- Star Wars: Unlimited: This is the new trading card game that’s blowing up. If your kid starts asking for "booster packs," this is why. It’s a great physical hobby, but like any TCG, it can become a money pit if you aren't careful.
- Star Wars: Battlefront II: Older kids might want to play the "Order 66" style missions. It’s a first-person shooter, so keep that in mind regarding your family's stance on gunplay.
Revenge of the Sith offers some surprisingly deep "intentional parenting" moments. Use the car ride home to talk about:
- The "Slippery Slope": Anakin didn't wake up one day and decide to be evil. He made a series of small, fear-based choices that led him there. Talk about how fear can make us do things we wouldn't normally do.
- Democracy and Power: There’s a famous line: "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause." It’s a great (and slightly terrifying) jumping-off point for talking about how governments work and why it's important to stay informed.
- Forgiveness vs. Consequences: Even though we know Anakin eventually finds redemption in Return of the Jedi, he still has to live with the consequences of his actions in this movie.
The 20th Anniversary re-release of Revenge of the Sith is a nostalgia trip for us and a rite of passage for them. It’s a dark, flawed, but ultimately essential piece of modern mythology.
If your kid is under 10, maybe stick to Young Jedi Adventures or the LEGO Star Wars specials for now. But if they’re ready for the "heavy stuff," grab the popcorn, prepare for the memes, and maybe keep a hand over their eyes during the Mustafar scene.
- Watch the Prequels in order: Start with The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones so they understand the fall.
- Deep Dive: Read this guide to Star Wars watch orders to decide if you should go Chronological or Release Order.
- Chat with us: Not sure if your 9-year-old can handle the "Order 66" scene? Ask our chatbot for a scene-by-scene breakdown of the violence.