‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ premieres in Chicago

Many showed up to theaters in costumes, with plastic light sabers, and some said they don’t care it’s Christmas, they’re going to ‘the dark side’.

The movie opened across the country tonight and fans lined up at movie theaters throughout the Lowcountry. Enormous crowds are expected to flock to the nation’s theaters, the kind that hasn’t been seen since – well, since the last time a “Star Wars” trilogy kicked off, in 1999.

“The Force Awakens” is the beginning of what will be a long line of “Star Wars” movies. “It’s like family, this is family here right now”, she said. “I cried happy tears”.

Harrison Ford’s grown-up children shrug off his Han Solo cool factor.

For many fans, finally seeing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” the film was an emotional experience.

Tinseltown is showing “The Force Awakens” in standard definition and in 3D.

While domestic box-office returns won’t be available until later Friday, the Walt Disney Co. said Thursday the film debuted with $14.1 million from its first screenings in 12 global markets.

2009’s Avatar now holds the record for the highest-grossing film of all time worldwide bringing in a whopping $2.78 billion.

But The Associated Press reported earlier today that the film has earned more than $100 million in presale tickets in North America. Or usurps “Jurassic World” for the crown of the biggest opening weekend on record ($208.8 million). Michael Danke of Los Angeles, who said his friend waited in line for 52 hours for their tickets, was disappointed. Before then the only way to watch them was through purchasing a physical VHS, DVD, or Blu-ray. “It was- part of me died I’ll just say that”, said Julie Osburn, Star Wars Fan.