'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' streaming early for May The Fourth

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is hitting streaming in the UK months earlier than expected.

The ninth and final film in the Skywalker saga will be available to stream in 4K on Disney+ on 4 May, or May The Fourth, Star Wars Day as it’s known to fans around the world. It will also be available to watch on Sky Cinema on the same day.

Rise of Skywalker has only just been released on DVD and Blu-ray on 20 April, so its streaming debut comes at least two months earlier than previously expected. It joins the previous eight Star Wars films on the service, as well as the two spin-off films: Rogue One and Solo.

JJ Abrams’ film joins Disney+’s May the Fourth line-up including the premiere of the eight-episode documentary series Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, and the series finale of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The May 4th line-up follows the finale of the first season of The Mandalorian on Friday 1st May in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.

Read more: Pedro Pascal talks Mandalorian

Disney+ plans to honour the artistry of Star Wars with a week-long concept art takeover on the service. Each film and series’ artwork will be updated on 4 May to feature its original concept paintings.

The updated art will feature work from celebrated artists such as the legendary Ralph McQuarrie and Academy Award-winning artist, author, and production designer, Doug Chiang.

On the Disney+ home screen, the animated Star Wars brand tile, viewable on web and connected TV devices, gets upgraded with a new animation that honours the signature hyperspace jump.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be available to stream on Disney+ from 4 May.