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The Last Jedi projected to make 200 million opening weekend

By Neil Harrington

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi is picking up where The Force Awakens left off, with pre-order ticket sales quickly adding up.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is on pace to surpass the $200 million mark in opening weekend sales, in North America, according to initial reports by data and tracking services.

Such a feat has only been achieved by three others, but if we work together, we can help The Last Jedi discover the secret (to breaking the all-time record). Having Disney as it’s backer will help a tad bit, also.

Domestic opening weekend records achieving  $200 million or higher in the past are…

  1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens: $248 million.
  2. Jurassic World: $208.8 million.
  3. The Avengers: $207.4 million.

How have Star Wars (live-action) films ranked in total earnings and opening weekend marks over the years? I’m glad that you asked.

  • May 25, 1977.  A New Hope.  Domestic Opening: $1,554,475. Total Domestic Earnings: $460,998,007 Worldwide Earnings: $786,598,007.
  • May 21, 1980. The Empire Strikes Back. Domestic Opening: $4,910,483.
    Total Domestic Earnings: $290,271,960 Worldwide Earnings: $534,171,960.
  • May 25, 1977 Return of the Jedi. Domestic Opening: $23,019,618. Total Domestic Earnings:$309,205,079 Worldwide Earnings: $572,705,079.
  • May 19, 1999 The Phantom Menace. Domestic Opening: $64,810,970. Total Domestic Earnings: $474,544,677 Worldwide Earnings: $1,027,044,677.
  • May 16, 2002. Attack of the Clones. Domestic Opening: $80,027,814. Total Domestic Earnings: $310,676,740. Worldwide Earnings: $656,695,615.
  • May 19, 2005. Revenge of the Sith. Domestic Opening: $108,435,841.  Total Domestic Earnings: $380,270,577 Worldwide Earnings: $848,998,877
  • Dec 18, 2015. The Force Awakens. Domestic Opening: $247,966,675. Total Domestic Earnings: $936,662,225 Worldwide Earnings: $2,058,662,225
  • Dec 16, 2016. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Domestic Opening: $155,081,681. Total Domestic Earnings: $532,177,324 Worldwide Earnings: $1,050,988,488

If you take into account inflation with the total numbers for A New Hope, they are outrageous — thanks to my buddy Ryan Baker who was sipping down some coffee with me and helped with these numbers.

Anyways, the original Star Wars film would have grossed over an estimated $2.4 billion in worldwide sales if released today. That is just flat out insane.

So, will The Last Jedi come close to any of the all-time greats? Most likely it will fall just short of the ultimate goal, but I predict it will hit $210,000,000 it’s first three days and slightly under $1 billion in domestic box office sales.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Carrie Fisher and her last performance as Leia will bring fans into the theatres over and over again, allowing it to surpass The Phantom Menace and Rogue One.

Disney was as wise as Master Yoda in acquiring Lucasfilm and Star Wars, making back their initial investment of $ 4 billion, and then some. 

With each passing moment, Disney will make us more and more their servant, with an infinite number of films and other content on the horizon.

More from Dork Side of the Force

Star Wars: The Last Jedi stars:

  • Daisy Ridley as Rey
  • Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
  • Adam Driver as Kylo Ren
  • Carrie Fisher as Leia
  • John Boyega as Finn
  • Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
  • Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma
  • Benicio Del Toro as D.J.
  • Laura Dern as Admiral Holdo
  • Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca
  • Anthony Daniels as C-3PO

With the galaxy once again in turmoil and with the First Order on to rise to power, General Leia and her Resistance are all that stands against Supreme Leader Snoke and evil. Luke Skywalker may hold the key to defeating him, if only Rey can convince him into action.

Next: TLJ will be the longest Star Wars film

Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters worldwide on December 15.

Learn how you can buy tickets here. 

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