Star Wars VII a billion-dollar hit for Disney
The Force Awakens has reportedly raked in $US1 billion-worth of cinema tickets faster than any other film in history.
On the weekend, Disney claimed the seventh Star Wars movie broke the box office world record in 12 days, one day quicker than Jurassic World.
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This was despite its dinosaur rival having the unfair advantage of China sales, where Star Wars VII won’t open until January 9.
The Force Awakens returns the stars of George Lucas’ original trilogy from the 1970s and 80s, including Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia and Harrison Ford as Han Solo. The film, which opened in Australia on December 16, is set 30 years after the Skywalker family’s victory over the evil Empire led by Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine.
Australians were reportedly the most eager fans in the Asia Pacific, having snapped up an estimated $US35.7 million in tickets so far, making it Disney’s second-best Down Under release after The Avengers.
The space blockbuster also broke the record for best Christmas Day ticket sales in the USA and Canada ($US49.3 million), best second-weekend earnings in the USA and Canada ($US153.5 million), best opening weekend in North America ($US238 million) and biggest worldwide debut ($US529 million), according to Disney.
Jurassic World was also the film’s rival for biggest opening weekend in the world. Star Wars narrowly won by mere thousands of dollars.
– with AAP and ABC