It seems like the entire world saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens this weekend, as the new film shattered the opening weekend box office record with an astounding $238 million in ticket sales. It pulled in $120.5 million through Friday, its first full day in domestic theaters, the highest single-day ticket sales ever.
Advertisement
IOM: Migrant arrivals into Europe tops 1 million in 2015
Italy saw more than 150,000 come to its shores, and Bulgaria was the first European stop for nearly 30,000 newcomers. About half of the people entering Europe were Syrians, while 20 percent were Afghans and 7 percent Iraqis, IOM said.
“Force Awakens” surpassed the previous opening-day record of US$43.5 million set in 2011 by the final “Harry Potter” movie.
Kim Davis reflects on her role in same-sex marriage debate
The Fourth executive takes out another Beshear order which established the Governor’s Employee Advisory Council (GEAC). He says in his statement he believes it’s an issue that needs to be decided by the legislature and the people.
The Walt Disney Co. earnings destroy the previous opening record set by “Jurassic World”, which drew $208.8 million this summer.
‘Big Shot’ Tarantino Given Hollywood Star
The Hateful Eight opens this week in select theaters before opening wide on New Year’s Day. Jackson spoke during the ceremony, saying “We go to movies to be happy”.
The film sees original trilogy stars Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reprise their Han Solo and Princess Leia roles alongside younger franchise newcomers.
For one, analysts are putting Disney’s behemoth at $100 million on Friday, which would make it the first three-digit-millions single day gross, ever.
“Force Awakens” has already smashed several film industry records and won praise from critics and moviegoers. It also set records in Britain, Australia, Russia and elsewhere as fans embraced a new chapter in the galactic battle between good and evil.
REUTERS White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest speaks from the rostrum flanked by Star Wars Stormtroopers as Star Wars Robot R2-D2, left, enters the briefing room after US President Barack Obama finished his end of the year news conference at the White House. Opening in 4,134 theaters, the J. J. Abrams-directed flick scored the highest theater average for a wide release with $57,568.
Disney paid just over $4 billion United States for Lucasfilm, the production company behind Star Wars, in 2012, an investment that now appears to be paying off. Sequels and spinoffs are in development for years to come.
According to social analysis by Amobee, on the films release there were almost 1.3 million tweets mentioning Star Wars with Twitter sentiment being 25 per cent Positive, 63 per cent Neutral, and 12 per cent Negative.
The opening weekend number also marks the biggest December debut of all time.
Advertisement
And “Sisters” – a raunchy comedy with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler – opened in third place, at $13.4 million in sales.
