There was also a lot less on demand content / media / entertainment available back then. There were no social networks, no mass market smartphones, the internet itself was extremely primitive by modern standards, gaming was a lot more niche.

I was never a huge Star Wars fan, but I of course saw the prequel trilogy in theatres because it was a big deal back then.

I haven't seen any of the subsequent Star Wars movies except for Rogue One, which I enjoyed a lot. From what I've heard most of the new Star Wars fare is aimed at fans and doesn't really push beyond the barrier of the Star Wars concept.