A long time ago in a country far, far away, the first Chinese screenings of the Star Wars movies were announced.

On Monday, the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) and Walt Disney Pictures jointly announced that episodes I through VI of the famous film series would hit screens in June.

This would mark the first screenings for the original three Star Wars movies in Chinese history.

Scroll down for video

New screenings: China will screen the six Star Wars movies in June at the Shanghai International Film Festival

All of the viewings will be held at not-yet-announced times during the SIFF from June 13 to 21.

The Phantom Menace, Attack Of The Clones, Revenge Of The Sith, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return Of The Jedi will all be available for screening.

While video and DVD versions of the movies have been available for years, the three movies of the original trilogy were not re-released in Chinese theatres.

First time: For the original three Star Wars movies, this will be the first time China has screened the films in theatres

Building anticipation: The timing of the festival's screenings comes just a few months before the newest Star Wars movie opens

Organisers of SIFF described the saga is 'the greatest sci-fi masterpiece in film history'.

he timing of these new screenings is likely meant to get Chinese audiences excited for the upcoming seventh Star Wars film, The Force Awakens.

Scheduled for a December 18 release in North America, Star Wars: The Force Awakens will likely be a hit for the massive Chinese film market.

Money makers: Worldwide, the Star Wars films have been some of the highest-grossing in history

Original stars: Unlike in the prequel movies, the stars of the original Star Wars movies (like Harrison Ford, above) will return for episode VII

Unlike the divisive prequel movies of the early 2000s, The Force Awakens and its two planned sequels will bring back original actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford to reprise their roles.

Other details of the movie directed by J.J. Abrams have been kept quiet in the months leading up to Star Wars' release.