Media

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ smashes global box office records

Cinema takings worldwide for Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ have surged past $1bn in 12 days

From left to right, JJ Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega at the premiere of Star Wars on December 27th in Shanghai, China. Photograph: Hu Chengwei/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios
From left to right, JJ Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega at the premiere of Star Wars on December 27th in Shanghai, China. Photograph: Hu Chengwei/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios
Mon Dec 28 2015 - 01:00

Takings at cinemas worldwide for Star Wars: The Force Awakens have surged past $1 billion in 12 days, making it the first picture to reach that mark so quickly.

The Walt Disney Co film, featuring a new cast of young actors with returning stars Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, took in $286.8 million globally in its second weekend, the company said yesterday . The US total stood at $545 million after 10 days. The soaring receipts have surprised even Disney executives and underscore the opportunities from the company’s 2012 purchase of Star Wars’ owner, Lucasfilm. Every division is getting in on the action, from film and consumer products to theme parks.

The Force Awakens once again beat previous records over the holidays, racking up $153.5 million in the US alone. That represents both the biggest Christmas holiday result and the best second weekend for a film in history. The film hopes to surpass James Cameron's Avatar as the highest-grossing film in history. – (Bloomberg/ Reuters)