Is Star Wars Episode I Pepsi Collection Discontinued? What Happened?
Fate: The promotion ran only during the summer of 1999 to coincide with The Phantom Menace. When the campaign ended, the cans stopped being made. Full sets and unopened cases became collector items.
Star Wars Episode I Pepsi Collection was a set of collectible soda cans that Pepsi made to promote the movie Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999.
There were 24 different cans in the US set. Each one showed a different character from the movie. Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Mountain Dew all had cans in the collection. What made it more than a regular movie promotion was a puzzle hidden across all the cans. Every can had a small secret word printed on it somewhere. If you collected all 24 and found all the words, they came together to spell out three hidden phrases.
That puzzle turned buying soda into a collecting game. Kids and fans spent the summer looking for cans they did not have yet, trading doubles with friends, and checking stores for new shipments. Some cans were harder to find than others, which made completing the set a real challenge.
On top of the puzzle, Pepsi also made a small number of special gold cans. These were instant-win prize cans that could be worth cash. Finding a gold Yoda can was the biggest prize in the promotion.
The campaign also had versions in other countries. Germany and Japan had their own packaging with some different designs, which created separate sets for collectors in those markets.
The promotion ran only during 1999, timed to the release of The Phantom Menace. Once it ended, the cans stopped being made. People who held onto full sets, unopened cases, or store display boxes found that other collectors wanted them. The cans still show up at conventions and on eBay today.
Timeline
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1999
- Pepsi locks in the US promotion tied to The Phantom Menace. The 24-can set and the hidden-word puzzle are finalized. Early store displays roll out ahead of the film.
- summer — Peak collecting period. Fans trade cans, share checklists, and hunt for the rare gold Yoda instant-win prize cans.
- fall — The promotion winds down and remaining stock sells through. The limited run ends and no more cans are produced.
- May 19 — The Phantom Menace opens in US theaters. TV commercials push collecting all 24 cans and finding the hidden phrases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Star Wars Episode I Pepsi Collection?
It was a set of collectible soda cans released in 1999 to promote Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Mountain Dew all took part.
How many cans were in the set?
There were 24 different cans in the U.S. collection. Each one showed a different character from the movie.
Why did kids and fans love collecting the cans?
Every can had a small hidden word printed on it. If you collected all 24 cans, the words combined to form three secret phrases. People hunted for missing cans, traded extras with friends, and checked stores for new shipments. Some cans were harder to find, which made completing the set feel like a real challenge.
What were the gold cans?
Pepsi also made a small number of special gold cans. These were instant‑win prize cans. The rarest and most valuable was the gold Yoda can.
Did other countries get their own versions?
Yes. Countries like Germany and Japan had their own designs and packaging. Those sets became separate collectibles for fans.
How long did the promotion last?
Only during 1999, timed to the release of The Phantom Menace. Once the promotion ended, the cans stopped being made.
Are the cans collectible today?
Yes. Full sets, unopened cases, and store displays still show up at conventions and on eBay. Fans who saved them often find that other collectors want them.
Why do people remember this promotion so well?
It mixed soda collecting, Star Wars excitement, and a hidden puzzle. For many fans, it was one of the most fun movie tie‑ins of the late 1990s.
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