TL;DR: Star Wars: A New Hope isn't just a "dad movie" or a relic from 1977—it’s the ultimate blueprint for the "Hero’s Journey" that every kid is currently living out in Roblox or Fortnite. It’s the perfect entry point for talking to your kids about independence, finding mentors outside the home, and the "Dark Side" of making easy, selfish choices.
If you’ve been living under a rock on Tatooine, here’s the 30-second refresher: Luke Skywalker is a farm boy bored out of his mind, staring at twin suns and wishing he was anywhere else. He intercepts a holographic SOS from Princess Leia, meets a space-wizard hermit named Obi-Wan Kenobi, hires a cynical smuggler named Han Solo, and ends up blowing up a moon-sized space station to save the galaxy from the Galactic Empire and its heavy-breather-in-chief, Darth Vader.
But for our kids, this isn't just a movie; it's the DNA of almost every piece of media they consume. From the quest structures in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to the "chosen one" tropes in Harry Potter, it all leads back here.
We talk a lot about "digital wellness" and "screen time," but we sometimes forget that the content of the screen matters just as much as the minutes on the clock. A New Hope is a masterclass in the transition from childhood to young adulthood.
The "Stuck in the Suburbs" Feeling
Luke starts the movie doing chores. He’s whiny. He wants to go to "Tosche Station to pick up some power converters." He’s every middle schooler who feels like their parents are holding them back from their "real life."
When we watch this with our kids, we aren't just watching a sci-fi flick; we're seeing a reflection of that universal itch for independence. It’s a great way to acknowledge that, yeah, chores suck and being stuck at home feels limiting, but those foundations are where the journey starts.
Choosing Your Squad
One of the best things about Star Wars is the contrast between characters. You have:
- Luke: The dreamer who needs to learn discipline.
- Han Solo: The "I only look out for myself" guy who eventually realizes that's a lonely way to live.
- Leia: The leader who is actually doing the work while the boys are bumbling around.
This is a perfect setup to talk about the "squad" your kid hangs out with in Discord or on the playground. Are they hanging out with people who push them to be better (Obi-Wan) or people who are just in it for the "credits" (Early Han)?
Ask our chatbot about how to talk to your kids about choosing good online friends
In the digital age, our kids are finding "mentors" everywhere—YouTube creators, Twitch streamers, and random high-level players in Minecraft.
A New Hope highlights the difference between a guide and a boss. Uncle Owen is a boss; he wants Luke to stay and work the farm because it’s safe and practical. Obi-Wan is a mentor; he sees Luke’s potential and pushes him into the (very dangerous) unknown.
As parents, we often default to being "Uncle Owen." We want safety, stability, and the "farm" (school, chores, basic safety). But kids need Obi-Wans. If they don't find them in healthy places, they'll find them in the comments section of a MrBeast video. Watching this movie together is a low-stakes way to ask: "Who are the people you look up to right now? Who’s your Obi-Wan?"
While Star Wars is rated PG, it was 1977 PG, which is a bit different from today's "everything is a cartoon" PG.
- Ages 6-8: They’ll love the droids, the aliens in the Cantina, and the X-Wings. They might get a little scared of Darth Vader’s breathing or the trash compactor scene.
- Ages 9-12: This is the sweet spot. They’ll catch the nuances of the "Force" and the stakes of the rebellion.
- The "Crispy" Factor: Let's be real—the scene where Luke finds the charred remains of his aunt and uncle is pretty dark. It’s brief, but it’s there. Most kids handle it fine, but if you have a highly sensitive kid, maybe have a "look at your popcorn" moment ready.
- Violence: It’s mostly "pew pew" lasers and ships exploding. Very little blood, except for a severed arm in the Cantina (which is surprisingly clinical).
Check out our guide on the best Star Wars viewing order for families
We’ve all seen the "Skibidi Toilet" memes and the hyper-saturated, 2-second-cut YouTube videos that seem to melt kids' attention spans. A New Hope is the antidote.
It’s a "slow burn" by today’s standards. The first 30 minutes are mostly droids walking through a desert. This is actually good for your kid's brain. It requires them to sit with a story, understand character motivations, and wait for the payoff. It’s a "digital detox" disguised as a space adventure.
If they find it "boring" at first, lean into that. Explain that the tension makes the Death Star trench run feel earned.
In 2026, we talk a lot about "intentionality" and "being present." That is exactly what Obi-Wan is teaching Luke.
- "Stretch out with your feelings."
- "Your eyes can deceive you; don't trust them."
- "Let go of your conscious self and act on instinct."
In a world of notifications, pings, and algorithmic feeds designed to hijack our attention, the concept of "The Force" is a great metaphor for digital agency. Teaching Luke to turn off his targeting computer and trust his gut is basically the 1977 version of telling your kid to put their phone in the other room so they can actually focus on what they're doing.
Don't lecture them. Just ask a few "No-BS" questions after the credits roll:
- The Han Solo Question: "Do you think Han was a jerk for leaving before the battle, or was he just being realistic?" (This gets at the heart of selfishness vs. community).
- The Tech Question: "The Empire has the biggest, baddest tech, but the Rebels won with smaller ships and 'The Force.' Does having the best gear always mean you're going to win in Fortnite or Roblox?"
- The Mentor Question: "If you had to leave home on a 'galactic quest' tomorrow, who is the one person (not me!) you’d want as your Obi-Wan?"
Star Wars: A New Hope is a foundational text for modern childhood. It’s a story about a kid who feels small but realizes he has a part to play in a much bigger story.
It’s not just about space battles; it’s about the moment we realize our parents don't have all the answers, and we have to start looking for them ourselves. It’s respectful, it’s exciting, and despite being nearly 50 years old, it’s still one of the best ways to spend two hours with your kid.
- Watch it: If you haven't seen it in a while, watch the "Despecialized" versions if you can find them, or just fire up Disney+.
- Play it: If your kid is a gamer, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a fantastic, humorous way to play through the story together.
- Read it: For kids who prefer books, the Star Wars: A New Hope novelization or the various graphic novel adaptations are great for reluctant readers.
Learn more about the history of Star Wars and its impact on gaming culture