Tonight is the nightStar Warsfans around the country have been waiting three years for, asStar Wars: The Force Awakensfinally hits theaters. Fans in several international territories actually got to see it earlier than the rest of the world, and, not surprisingly,Star Wars: The Force Awakenshas broken even morebox officerecords.Entertainment Weeklyreports thatStar Wars: The Force Awakenshas earned $14.1 million from 12 international territories on Wednesday, setting the stage for a massive global opening weekend.
Of the 12 international marketsStar Wars: The Force Awakensopened in on Wednesday, the blockbuster has set records for biggest single day at the box office in Norway and Sweden, while breaking records for biggest opening day in Belgium, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. This sci-fi adventure set another record in France for biggest opening day ever in December, more than doubling the opening-day takes of hits such asMarvel’s The AvengersandJurassic World. In all 12 markets, it was the biggest opening day for anyStar Warsmovie.
Star Wars: The Force Awakensalso posted the biggest Disney opening day of all-time in France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, South Africa and Switzerland. In Italy, it posted the biggest December andStar Warsfranchiseopening day, doubling the first day grosses ofThe Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies. Numerous international markets also posted their biggestIMAXopening day of all-time.
Star Wars: The Force Awakensarrives in another 32 international markets today, including Germany, the U.K., Russia, Australia, Korea, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. Tomorrow, it will also open in Japan and Spain, and by the end of this weekend, it will have opened in all global markets except China, India, and Greece, which could set the stage for a record-breaking global debut. Back in June,Jurassic Worldbecame the first movie ever to crack $500 million globally in its opening weekend, with $208.8 million domestically, $316.1 million internationally and $524.9 million worldwide. All three of those figures set new records, but they are all in danger of falling toStar Wars: The Force Awakensthis weekend.
Star Wars: The Force Awakensalso has a shot at breaking the all time domestic and global records set byJames Cameron’sAvatarback in 2009. No movie has come close toAvatar’s $760.5 million domestic box office record, or its $2.7 billion worldwide tally.Jurassic Worldhas come the closet in recent years, with $652.2 million domestic and $1.6 billion worldwide, but if the projections forStar Wars: The Force Awakensare met or exceeded, it’s conceivable that practically every box office record could fall in the days, weeks and months ahead. We’ll keep you posted onStar Wars: The Force Awakens' box office progress throughout the weekend, so stay tuned.
