By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/new-star-wars-is-fastest-movie-to-1-billion Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter New ‘Star Wars’ is fastest movie to $1 billion Arts Dec 27, 2015 12:15 PM EDT Moviegoers flocked to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” over the Christmas holiday weekend, pushing ticket sales past the $1 billion mark — the fastest movie to do so in history. “The Force Awakens” has grossed $544.6 million in the United States and nearly $1.1 billion worldwide, Reuters reported. The J.J. Abrams written and directed film, which picks up where the 1983 classic “Return of the Jedi” left off, is playing in more than 4,000 theaters in the U.S. Walt Disney — which acquired the franchise’s original producer Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012 — spent $200 million producing the latest installment. Another four franchise films are expected to follow “The Force Awakens” over the next four years. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — News Desk News Desk
Moviegoers flocked to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” over the Christmas holiday weekend, pushing ticket sales past the $1 billion mark — the fastest movie to do so in history. “The Force Awakens” has grossed $544.6 million in the United States and nearly $1.1 billion worldwide, Reuters reported. The J.J. Abrams written and directed film, which picks up where the 1983 classic “Return of the Jedi” left off, is playing in more than 4,000 theaters in the U.S. Walt Disney — which acquired the franchise’s original producer Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012 — spent $200 million producing the latest installment. Another four franchise films are expected to follow “The Force Awakens” over the next four years. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now