Star Wars becomes Ireland’s biggest ever movie

Record-breaking Disney film has also been nominated for four BAFTAs

Conor Deegan (left) and Iarliath Tannion from Leitrim Village with Darth Maul at the Star Wars Invasion at the National Show Centre. Photograph: Cyril Byrne / THE IRISH TIMES
Conor Deegan (left) and Iarliath Tannion from Leitrim Village with Darth Maul at the Star Wars Invasion at the National Show Centre. Photograph: Cyril Byrne / THE IRISH TIMES

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has become Ireland and the UK's biggest ever cinematic release.

The film, which has only been on release for 22 days, has overtaken Skyfall's £103.2million in Ireland and the UK and earlier this week became the second in history to reach £100million in Ireland and the UK.

The result comes after just 20 days of business compared to the 66 days Skyfall took to reach the same amount.

Globally, the film has already made over £1.59billion worldwide and this week became the biggest release at the US box office overtaking Avatar.

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The British Academy has also announced that the film has been nominated for four BAFTA awards: Original Music, Production Design, Sound and Special Visual Effects.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens broke a number of records on its release on December 17th including the biggest ever Irish and UK opening weekend, the biggest ever opening worldwide, widest release of a title in Ireland and the UK, highest advance bookings of all time and the first film to reach £50m within a week.

The film also had the biggest ever single day at the box office in Ireland and the UK with £9.7million.

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson is an Irish Times reporter