"Star Wars: The
Force Awakens" pulled in about $57 million in Thursday evening previews,
Walt Disney said Friday.
The figure tops the
previous industry record of $43.5 million, Disney said. The $57 million figure
brings "Star Wars'" worldwide total to $130 million.
After months of secrecy
and anticipation, the movie is thrilling fans and theater owners alike.
The most anticipated
film in the galaxy opened globally Thursday, setting international and pre-sale
box-office records and delighting moviegoers who've had opening-night tickets
in hand for months.
Kelly Andrews, who
wears her love of "Star Wars" on her skin in the form of Yoda and
R2-D2 tattoos, bought tickets in October for the first showing at Hollywood's
classic TCL Chinese Theatre, where the original "Star Wars" premiered
in 1977.
It was
outstanding," she said as she left the screening Thursday night clutching
a shiny keepsake popcorn bin. "I cried happy tears. I cried sad tears. It
was beautiful."
She was among thousands
of devotees who praised the space saga's latest installment. The film has
received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and fans internationally.
All over the world,
"Star Wars" enthusiasts toted lightsabers and wore character costumes
to packed opening-night showings of "The Force Awakens." They laughed
and cheered and gasped together, illuminating their sabers in the theater
during key scenes.
While domestic
box-office returns won't be available until later Friday, the Walt Disney Co.
said Thursday the film debuted with $14.1 million from its first screenings in
12 international markets. The largest was France, where the film earned $5.2
million. It set a one-day record in Norway and Sweden.
More than $100 million
in tickets have been presold in North America. The movie ticket service
Fandango said it has already sold more tickets for "The Force
Awakens" than any movie over its entire theatrical run.
Not everyone in the
opening-night audience was dazzled, though. Michael Danke of Los Angeles, who
said his friend waited in line for 52 hours for their tickets, was disappointed.
"I was kind of
looking forward to a futuristic, bitchin' movie, but it was an old 'Star Wars'
movie," he said. "They did it old style."
That nostalgia worked
for Tony Brennan, who said he "can't get off of that high that I'm
on" after seeing the film with the opening-night crowd in Hollywood.
"It's definitely
worth all the hype," he said. "I like how they bring back the old
quotes and old scenery and old people... It passed all of our expectations. I'm
watching it five, six, seven more times."
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