'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Edges James Cameoron's 'Avatar' As All-Time Highest-Grossing Movie in North America At $764 Million
It is now official that "Star War: The Force Awakens" has taken the title of the highest grossing movies of all time in North America. The Lucasfilm and Disney on Wednesday overtook the $ 760.5 million record previously set by James Cameron's 2009 sci-fi hit Avatar.
"The Force Awakens" grossed an additional $6.2 million on Wednesday alone, punching up the movie's domestic cume to $764.4 million, a milestone achieved just 20 days after its release, The Holywood Reporter wrote.
CNBC reported Thursday that seventh "Star Wars" film has not only broken one record but has set others as well. For one, the film hit a $11 billion record in domestic revenue for 2015, easily becoming the fastest movie to hit the $1 billion mark, BBC noted.
It also had the biggest domestic opening at $247 million, the highest average for a worldwide debut at $59,982, the biggest New Year's Day screening at $ 34.4 million and the biggest opening week at $390.9 million.
However, "The Force Awakens" has a long way to go to eclipse the $2.78 billion earned worldwide by "Avatar." On Tuesday, the worldwide tally for "The Force Awakens' was recorded at $1.56 billion, excluding statistics taken in China where the movie will hit theatres by Jan. 9.
The movie, top billed by Harrison Ford, earned $13 million overseas on Tuesday, summing up its foreign domestic total to $799 million.
As per now, box office observers opine that the reboot may do even better than the six previous films. They suggest that "The Force Awakens" may gross up to $2.2 billion to $2.4 billion worldwide, going past the $2.19 billion record held by James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster "Titanic." If the predictions turn out right, Titanic will be pushed down will be pushed down to second place in terms of ticket sales, not accounting for inflation.
"Star Wars fans have kept a galaxy far, far away alive for close to 40 years. Without them, there is no 'Star Wars.' That's why we are humbled and grateful to announce that, thanks to fans new and old, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is now the highest grossing film of all-time at the domestic box office, surpassing Avatar's $760.50 million record in just 20 days," the movie's official website wrote.
Up to now, only two movies have earned more than $700 million in North America alone: "Avatar" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
