By Jake Coyle
associated press
NEW YORK — Star Wars: The Force Awakens has already surpassed $100 million in North America and $250 million globally, setting it up for a record-breaking weekend.
The Walt Disney Co. on Saturday said the film made an estimated $120.5 million from Thursday night previews and opening day Friday. That smashes the previous opening day record of $91.1 million, set by 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. (Studios count Thursday night grosses as part of opening day.)
Disney is projecting a domestic weekend total of around $220 million, which would surpass the record $208.8 million of Jurassic World. It’s a type of release never before seen in December, where the previous top opening was 2012’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with $84.6 million. The latest Star Wars is playing in 4,134 North American theaters, the widest December release ever.
But The Force Awakens is riding a wave of hype, nostalgia and positive reviews from critics and fans alike. J.J. Abrams’ seventh chapter in George Lucas’ saga has earned an A CinemaScore from moviegoers who have flooded theaters nationwide. Some $100 million in advance tickets were sold for the movie’s Thursday night debut.
Since beginning its overseas rollout Wednesday, The Force Awakens has made an estimated $129.5 million internationally.
Jurassic World, an unexpected sensation in June, also holds the global weekend opening record with $524.9 million, a number The Force Awakens could well exceed.
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