The force is truly awake these days with the latest movie in the franchise raking in huge cashouts over the weekend. Not only were the numbers for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" great in North America, they were also reflected in the global box office.
They were so great, in fact, that it managed to topple the record previously held by "Jurassic World."
Disney and director J.J. Abrams tried to downplay the hype on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" weeks and days before it premiered in North American and global theatres. It seemed to work like a charm: the seventh installment just did more than just pretty well in the box office.
Studio estimates reported by Los Angeles Times says "The Force Awakens" officially holds the record for the biggest North American debut of all time. The movie's weekend debut number is pinned at $247 million, almost $37 million more than the record set by this summer's "Jurassic World."
Universal's dinosaur flick earned $208.8 million when it was released in theatres on June 10 this year.
But the force is not only strong in the United States. Globally, its numbers also bested the record for worldwide release. Initial reports as posted by NBC News registered earnings of $238 million for the US-Canada market and $279 million international market, bringing the numbers to $517 million, $8 million short of the global record set by "Jurassic World", amounting to about $525 million.
Disney CEO and Chariman Bob Iger changed all that with fresh box office numbers yesterday.
On top of the final North American numbers mentioned above, the international numbers reached $281 million, bringing the total number to $528 million. These figures seem impressive given that "Star Wars VII" has not even debuted in China, the second largest film market worldwide.
However, even as Disney raked in big bucks in the box office, it has apparently been losing in the stocks game. The Wall Street Journal has reported that stocks of the California-based media conglomerate have dipped three days in a row.
The figures though may pick up as "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" continues to be shown in movie theatres worldwide. Stay tuned for more news on the film's box office numbers.
