Any doubts that a December release date would mean that Star Wars: The Force Awakens would struggle to match the kind of opening weekend box office returns enjoyed by summer releases had already been swept away by its pre-show haul on Thursday night, and now the first day’s takings have been tallied, it’s official: Not only has The Force Awakens set a December domestic opening weekend record in just one day, but it’s also become the first film to ever crack $100 million in 24 hours.
On Friday, The Force Awakens earned $120.5 million in North America for the biggest ever single day haul. The previous best single day was $91.1 million set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, while the biggest opening weekend for December had been set by The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with $84.6 million. It’s now a certainty that Star Wars will smash Jurassic World’s all-time domestic opening weekend of $208.8 million, and will probably do so with a day to spare.
SEE ALSO: Read our reviews of Star Wars: The Force Awakens here and here
Globally, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is now sitting on $258 million and it would take someone brave – or foolish – to bet against it toppling Jurassic World’s worldwide opening record of $524.9 million – and that’s without China, where it opens in January. Predictions of $650 million look pretty achievable at this point.
Expect it also to become the fastest film to $1 billion – another record held by Jurassic World on 13 days.
SEE ALSO: Follow all of our Star Wars coverage here
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is out now and sees J.J. Abrams directing returning stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar), in addition to Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (A Most Violent Year), Andy Serkis (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina), John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley (Silent Witness), Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones), Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), Ken Leung (Lost), Miltos Yerolemou (Game of Thrones), Max von Sydow (The Exorcist), Jessica Henwick (Spirit Warriors), Christina Chong (24: Live Another Day), Simon Pegg (Star Trek) and newcomers Crystal Clarke and Pip Andersen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=ymcu7eigVyg
Originally published December 19, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
