In news that will surprise no one, local audiences have returned to a galaxy far, far away in record numbers, with J. J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens absolutely obliterating the competition and topping the Australian box office in impressive force.
With midnight screenings of the film sold out, this seventh instalment in the franchise made a record $9,452,810 on its opening day of December 17, storming ahead of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which previously held the title of Highest Opening Day ever at almost $7.1 million in July 2011.
It also recorded the highest opening weekend at the Australian box office, making $27.2 million in local cinemas between its first screening on midnight Wednesday to the last sessions on Sunday. It’s a result that’s almost $9 million more than the previous record holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which grossed $18.36 over its opening weekend.
All that said, Star Wars: The Force Awakens did open on a staggering 941 screens (a record number in Australia), while Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part 2 opened on 730 screens.
It’s been a massive year for blockbuster entertainment at the box office with three more of the top 10 opening weekends of all time rolling out this year: Jurassic World sits at number four ($15.07 million on 605 screens), The Avengers: Age of Ultron is fifth ($15.7 million on 760 screens) and Fast and Furious 7 is eighth ($14.66 million on 507 screens).
Whether Star Wars: The Force Awakens will become Australia’s highest grossing film of all time though is still up in the air with that title being held by James Cameron’s Avatar, which grossed $115.6 million at home. May the force be with it…
