‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ opening blasts away box office records

Worldwide ticket sales, however, place “Star Wars” behind “Jurassic World”, which made $524.9 million globally in its first weekend.

The projections have the latest “Star Wars” entry well on its way to blowing up “Jurassic World’s” $208.4 million opening weekend record with an estimated $250 million tally of its own. Given the pent-up fan demand and the intense marketing, Disney had estimated that the movie would break the $100 million mark at the U.S. box office on its opening day.

No big surprise: after strong reviews from critics and fawning praise from many fans, Star Wars: The Force Awakens had a record opening weekend at the box office.

Harrison Ford is back as Han Solo in the newest “Star Wars” film.

The film has taken $238 million in the US and $279 million internationally bringing the weekend global box-office takings to $517 million worldwide. But movie studio Walt Disney Co. says millions of tickets are still available this weekend as theaters add capacity to meet demand.

The Death Star-sized Thursday night in the US should also help to boost the film’s outlook for a record breaking opening weekend as well.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens sets new box office record.

US Press Secretary Josh Earnest speaks to the press in the briefing room at the White House flanked by Star Wars characters R2D2 and Storm Troopers.

According to industry journal Screen International, though, such an outcome “remains a distinct possibility” given the film’s current box office performance.

The film, which carries a production cost of at least $200 million, opened in 32 additional foreign markets Thursday will open in most other markets Friday.

The movie is now open in all markets except Greece and India, where it premieres on Thursday, 24 December, and China, which has a 9 January debut. Whether “The Force Awakens” can come close to the global hauls of those films ($2.8 billion for “Avatar” and $2.2 billion for “Titanic”) won’t be clear for weeks.