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The absolute best way to celebrate Star Wars Day is to watch as many Star Wars movies as you can. That would be difficult if you don’t own copies of the films, but don’t fret! TBS has swung across a Death Star chasm to make sure you can watch (or at least DVR since it’s still a work day) the first six movies in the saga. The marathon kicks off at 6:40 a.m. ET. Read on for the full schedule and to see what other Star Wars-related marathons air today.
Last fall, Turner announced that it won the exclusive linear basic cable rights to air every Star Wars film, including future movies, on TNT and TBS. However, since it will not be able to air Star Wars: The Force Awakens until early 2018, that movie’s not included in the 2017 marathon. TBS and TNT will also begin airing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2019.
Turner’s deal also includes this year’s The Last Jedi, 2018’s Young Han Solo movie and 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX. Disney has to finish making those movies before they can end up on basic cable.
The marathon does include the three prequel films, since those are still part of the Star Wars universe, no matter how much you want to try to disown them. The original trilogy starts at 3:10 p.m. ET.
TBS did say that they will air the films with limited commercial interruption. Unfortunately, the network has cropped the films to fit a full 16:9 frame. To see the films in their proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio, you’ll have to own the films digitally or a physical copy.
The Full TBS Schedule
6:40 a.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
9:25 a.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)
12:20 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
3:10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
5:40 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
8:15 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Other Star Wars Day Marathons
To watch The Force Awakens (2015) on TV, you’ll have to turn to Starz, which began airing it in September 2016. The premium cable network is running the film three consecutive times, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. The second airing begins at 9:21 p.m. and the third is scheduled for 11:42 p.m. ET.
Disney XD will also have Star Wars programming all day long. The network is running a 24-hour marathon of LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures episodes. The marathon doesn’t end until 4:00 a.m. ET on May 5!
To find out which channels TBS, Starz and Disney XD are for you, click here to go to TVGuide.como‘s listings and change “Provider” to you cable or satellite provider.
