Star Wars is top film of all time at North American box office

By Alexandra Heilbron on January 7, 2016 | 4 Comments


Star Wars: The Force AwakensStar Wars BB-8 poster has become the highest-grossing film at the North American box office, beating out Avatar, which held the spot for five years. The previous record holder prior to that was Titanic.

What’s amazing is that Star Wars: The Force Awakens achieved this feat in just 20 days – and it still hasn’t even opened in China.

Final box office estimates are in, and as of today it has earned $764 million, beating Avatar‘s record of $760.5 million, which was earned over the course of latter film’s entire run.

Avatar still holds the record as top-earning movie worldwide, with a total $2.78 billion. Titanic is close behind with $2.18 billion, and in third is Jurassic World with $1.66 billion.

However, with Stars Wars: The Force Awakens still going strong in theatres, and opening in China this weekend, it’s on a trajectory to taking over that spot as well, with $1.58 billion in fourth place.

 



Comments & Discussion

  1. Bob • January 7, 2016 @ 9:52 AM

    First, its “STAR WARS” so we all knew it was going to make a lot of money.
    Second, given it came out during a period where movies that seek Academy Awards come out, thus not a lot of action movies competition, thus increasing the chances that more people (those that enjoy action movies) will go see.

  2. Kevin • January 7, 2016 @ 1:51 PM

    It interesting to note that Avatar was released on December 18, 2009. This means Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released on the same day as Avatar six years later. Star Wars did better than Avatar at exactly the same time of year.

  3. randy • January 8, 2016 @ 12:06 PM

    Very disappointed that the writers couldntcome up with a better script. Its almost a clone to the episode 4&5combined. Lots of action great effects just really familiar.

  4. Mandy • January 9, 2016 @ 7:34 PM

    I hope this one becomes best movie worldwide too. Not that it’s the best movie I ever saw, but it’s pretty darn good and a lot of fun to watch. It was genius to cast the original stars in this. The three “prequels” were horrible, why Lucas never thought of using Ford, Fisher and Hamill again is beyond me – that’s what the big draw is for many people, bringing the originals back. Kudos Disney!


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