By Creative Media Times
Lucasfilm Ltd. – Walt Disney Studios
The day finally arrived and its a force to reckon with. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” opens on Thursday night to $45 million, making it the second highest Thursday opening ever, next only to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” which grossed $57 million in 2015.
Though it didn’t beat its predecessor, The Last Jedi easily beats last year’s Rogue One, which made $29 million for its Thursday night opening.
Released by the Walt Disney Co., The Last Jedi is on pace to collect around $200 million in the United States and Canada over the weekend based on its Thursday night performance. If it reaches that number, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t at this point, The Last Jedi will only be the fourth film top cross that milestone.
Internationally, “The Last Jedi” made $60.8 million from its early two day run so far through Thursday night, with more major market still to follow including China where the film opens on January 5.
This is another big news for Disney this week, if not slightly overshadowed by the recent announcement of the company’s historic $52.4 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets.
Critics are also embracing the film, scoring 86 from Metacritic.com, indicating universal acclaim, with The Guardian’s Jordan Hoffman describing The Last Jedi “first post-Lucas Star Wars film that feels free to dance to its own beat.”
The Last Jedi is currently playing in theaters.
