>>96295280
It was a marketing phenomenon too. Lucas more or less invented modern marketing and entire store sections were Star Wars during that time.

>>95952116
>Like when the Star Wars prequels came out they were hated a lot.
They were controversial but were very successful. Not just in profit, which helps they were funded by Pepsi deals, but also expanded universe media and especially toys. A massively merchandise driven franchise like Star Wars lives on toy sales.