Star Wars: Biggest Movie Debut in Every Galaxy

20 Dec, 2015

To say that the force is strong with this one is an understatement.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” brought in a galactic $238 million over the weekend, making it the biggest North American debut of all time according to studio estimates on Sunday.

The Walt Disney Co. earnings destroy the previous opening record set by Universal’s “Jurassic World,” which drew $208.8 million this summer.

Internationally, the film brought in $279 million, bringing its global gross to $517 million – second only to “Jurassic World’s” global bow of $525 million. But the dinosaurs had the added benefit of China – “Star Wars” won’t open there until Jan. 9.

This is just the latest in a laundry list of records set by J.J. Abrams’ film, the seventh in the franchise, which had analysts anticipating a debut anywhere from $150 million to $300 million.

The “X-factor” was quality. While “The Force Awakens” drew enormous pre-sales, the film was kept under lockdown from the press and critics until mere days before it was released to the public. Reviews turned out to be stellar (95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), as did early audience reaction, who gave the film an A CinemaScore.

The film also drew mainly adults, who made up 71 percent of the audience. Teens accounted for only 9 percent, but those numbers may go up in the coming weeks as holiday vacations kick in.

Males overwhelmingly drove the astronomical earnings, comprising 58 percent of the audience.

Almost a galaxy away, Fox’s animated “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip” came in second with $14.4 million.

In third place, the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler comedy “Sisters” earned an estimated $13.4 million out of the gates. A whopping 79 percent of audiences were female for the R-rated comedy – a solid indicator that the counterprogramming against “Star Wars” was in fact a wise choice.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” $238 million ($279 million international).

2. “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip,” $14.4 million.

3. “Sisters,” $13.4 million ($1.8 million international).

4. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2,” $5.7 million ($7.8 million international).

5. “Creed,” $5.1 million.

6. “The Good Dinosaur,” $4.2 million ($9.2 million international).

7. “Krampus,” $3.8 million ($1.8 million international).

8. “In the Heart of the Sea,” $3.5 million ($3.9 million international).

9. “Diwale,” $1.9 million.

10. “Bajirao Mastani,” $1.7 million.

Reuters

Image Star Wars 

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