It faces an uphill climb if it wants to become the biggest movie ever released, but Star Wars: The Force Awakens can take solace in the fact it is now the biggest movie to be released in North America.
The previous record, held by James Cameron’s Avatar, was $760 million which has now been topped by Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This means the movie is now the biggest movie of all-time in North America, has the biggest opening day of all-time, has the biggest opening weekend of all-time, is the highest-grossing Disney movie and is the biggest movie of all-time here in the UK. It’s also – currently – the fourth biggest movie of all-time.
More impressively, Avatar‘s $760 million came from a seven-month theatrical run and a re-release, whereas Star Wars: The Force Awakens has earned its total in just 20 days. The film opens in China this week, and Disney are hoping they will have a big opening there to reach Avatar‘s global total of $2.5 billion.
“We are proud of these records, but know that they would not be possible without fans’ enthusiasm and continued support,” the Star Wars website writes. “We feel it here and it drives us every day, and it will continue to in the very bright future of Star Wars. There has indeed been an awakening — and it’s all thanks to you.”
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens 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.
Originally published January 7, 2016. Updated March 2, 2020.
