‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’: When the Film Opens Around the World
J.J. Abrams' tentpole will launch in every major foreign market next week — save for China — timed to its North American debut.
Star Wars: The Force Awakensis finally readying to go intohyperdrive at the worldwidebox office.
The movie is now just over a week away from launching in select markets on Dec. 16 before playing in nearly every major market over the Dec. 18-20 weekend. The one exception is China, where it won’t debut until Jan. 9.
The big question is whetherForce Awakens can match the record-breaking opening ofJurassic World this summer. The latterpic — which had the benefit of kids being out of school, as well as a China berth — raked in $524.4 million, including $315.6 million overseas and $208.8 million domestically. China’s opening alone totaled $100 million.
December isn’t known for big openings (the current record-holder is 2012’sThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with $84.7 million). Rather, titles that open over the year-end holidays can see huge multiples, including the two top-grossing films of all time,Avatar (2009) andTitanic (1997).
In aninterview late last month, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn urged caution. “There are a number of things that put this film in uncharted territory, literally uncharted territory, making it even more difficult than usual to predict what the opening weekend will be,” Horn toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “Especially this far out from release, with the bulk of our campaign ahead of us.”
He continued: “It’s natural for people to want to view this and compare this to a summer blockbuster, but films in December don’t have the same historical release patterns as summer films. In December, it’s rare to see a big debut — there’s only a handful above $70 million, by the way, with the record being something like $84 million. People are shopping, they’re traveling, they also know that their kids are going to be on vacation in a week and they’re going to all go see movies together.”
Lucasfilm and Disney had previously announced thatForce Awakenswould open in France on Dec. 16, followed by the U.K. on Dec. 17. It’s usual for movies to open on Wednesday in France and Thursday in England.
Here’s a further breakdown of where, and when,thepic launches in terms of the world’s majormoviegoing markets. Smaller territories whereForce Awakens won’t open straightaway include India and Greece.
Dec. 16
France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Philippines, Thailand.
Dec. 17
U.K., Germany, Austria, Russia, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand.
Dec. 18
North America (following late-night previews on Dec. 17 in select theaters), Japan, Spain, Venezuela.
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