CHICOPEE Mass. (WWLP) – Star Wars: The Force Awakens has bypassed the loftiest of expectations for its opening day total. The records it has broken continue to pile up, while its future is continuing to look very bright.
Star Wars collected $120 million on Friday according to estimates. This amount includes its record breaking $57 million in Thursday previews. The $120 million Friday breaks the all-time records for biggest single day, opening day, Friday, and fastest to $100 million.
Clik here to view.
The records don’t stop there however. Just about every December record possible has already been broken, despite not having tallies for Saturday or Sunday. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’s December single day and opening weekend records have already fallen. The Hobbit made $37 million its opening day and $84 million its opening weekend. On Friday, Star Wars broke both of these records.
The opening weekend record set by Jurassic World is almost guaranteed to be broken at this point. If Star Wars has similar drops as Jurassic did it would finish the weekend with over $300 million for the weekend. Even if it falls more like Avengers: Age of Ultron, it would still put it at $270 million for the weekend. Either of these would be enough to break the record of $208 million.
Many analysts feel the movie will drop faster however, due to the extreme up front demand for Star Wars. With so many people going to earlier shows, many analysts are predicting a weekend finish between $215 million and $235 million.
Despite the pent up demand however, there are several factors that might help it avoid such a drastic drop. The first is repeat showings. Many fans have already seen the movie multiple times. 22News spoke with one individual who had already seen the movie four times before the end of the day Friday. With the same fans who drove Star Wars to record numbers on Friday returning on Saturday, it is possible the drop-off is diminished.
Disney has also been trying to get the word out that not all of the showtimes are sold out. Many individuals have been avoiding seeing it opening weekend because of the crowds. Theaters have however added additional showtimes in order to meet consumer demand. This could also help alleviate the sharp drop from Friday to Saturday. With many schools still in session, many kids and families may have decide to wait for Saturday or Sunday to see the movie.
Clik here to view.
Because of these reasons I believe Star Wars still has a shot at becoming the first movie ever to open with $250 million for its opening weekend. With the Christmas holiday still to come, it is conceivable that Star Wars makes over $500 million before the end of December. With New Year’s after that, Avatar’s all time domestic record appears to be very obtainable.
With all the attention going to Star Wars, all holdovers will most likely fall by 50% or more. Sisters and Alvin and the Chipmunks both debut on Friday as well and both made more than $4 million. Both movies should make around $13 million. The combined strength of the box office could break another record: Largest weekend ever. The largest weekend at the box office for all movies combined is $266 million. With Star Wars almost making that much by itself, it looks like another record that will fall.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
