‘Force Awakens’ tops ‘Avatar’ at domestic box office

Walt Disney Studios estimates The Force Awakens passed Avatar’s record North American box office of $760.5 million on Wednesday to claim the all-time No. 1 spot.

It’s early days yet, though.

But in reality, the one ace in the hole for the House of Mouse’s prized asset is the imminent release in China.

The dethroning of Cameron’s “Avatar” marks a return of the North America box office crown to a “Star Wars” film.

The overseas markets continue to now outpace domestic, clocking in at a fresh total of $799.1 million overseas, and bringing the global total to 1.557 billion dollars. Avatar took a slow and steady chug up the box office charts back in 2009, reaching the majority of its total over three months. Yet, “Star Wars” is poised to knock it from its perch after it opens in China this Saturday, where it could conceivably end its run with between $250 and $300 million.

“The Force Awakens”, the seventh film in the Lucasfilm space saga, has broken numerous records around the world since its release.

According to Disney, J.J.

“It’s been a flawless storm of factors, including what the “Star Wars” brand represents to moviegoers”, says Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst for Rentrak.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is officially the highest-grossing film ever…in America.

In the United Kingdom, the Force Awakens has overtaken Spectre to become the biggest film of 2015.

Original trilogy stars Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reprised their Han Solo and Princess Leia roles alongside younger newcomers, including Daisey Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac.

And of course, these numbers are not adjusted for inflation.