The Last Jedi scores big on US debut

  • 16/12/2017
The Last Jedi scores big on US debut
Photo credit: File

Star Wars: The Last Jedi brought in $45 million (NZ$64 million) on its opening night at United States and Canadian movie theatres as fans rushed to see the latest instalment in the blockbuster series, distributor Walt Disney said.

The film had the largest opening behind the 2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which sold US$57 million (NZ$81 million) of tickets on its first day in the two countries and went on to generate box office of more than NZ$28 billion worldwide.

The Last Jedi began rolling out on Wednesday in international markets, where it has brought in US$60.8 million in its first two days, Disney said.

The film is the eighth movie in the saga created by George Lucas in 1977.

The Disney-Lucasfilm production began its international run on December 13 in 14 markets, followed by an additional 34 territories on December 14, opening in first place in all except for Turkey and South Korea.

It has generated the second-largest debut day of all time in Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, and Iceland, behind only 2015's The Force Awakens in each case.

The movie was the third-biggest opening day for the UK and Norway.

It was also the top 2017 opening day in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.

Reuters