play set | figure: Star Wars Attack of the Clones, Shaak Ti, Jedi Master

When 20th Century Fox released the first "Star Wars" movie in May 1977, no one imagined it would change the toy industry and popular entertainment so dramatically. The film spawned additional episodes of a sprawling space opera that also generated sales of millions of action figures of the saga’s characters. For more than three decades, kids have used Star Wars action figures—plus accessories, vehicles, and play sets—to tell stories of heroes and villains, of empire and rebellion, and of good triumphing over evil. Adults, too, play when they collect Star Wars action figures.