Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the most successful film in US history

In a development that will surprise very few people, after only three weeks JJ Abrams‘ Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) has overtaken James Cameron‘s Avatar (2009) as the highest-grossing film in the history of US cinema.

That’s according to its studio, though, who claim that their film has surpassed the $760.5m (£520m) that Avatar earned over its lifetime. As of January 8, 2016, official figures had yet to be released. However, considering that last month, The Force Awakens became the fastest film to take $1bn (£674m) at the global box office, it doesn’t take a Jedi Master and his faithful astromech droid to work out that, whatever the figures are, they almost certainly amount to more money than there are stars in a Jakku night sky.

But while the lead in this podrace is shrinking, Avatar still holds the global record with over $2.8 bn (£1.9 bn) in earnings. In third and fourth place are 1997’s Titanic (another outing by James Cameron) and Colin Trevorrow‘s Jurassic World (2015). It won’t be until January 9, however, when the film is released in Chinese domestic markets, that a full picture will emerge.

In a message, Disney offered its thanks by saying that without the fans, “there is no Star Wars (…) There has indeed been an awakening – and it’s all thanks to you.”

The Force Awakens was originally released on December 17, 2015. Taking place 33 years after Return of the Jedi (1982), it sees the return of Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Mark Hamil as Luke Skywalker. Making their debut in the Star Wars franchise are Daisy Ridley as the mysterious and powerful Rey, John Boyega as the brave traitor to the First Order Finn and Oscar Isaacs as the loyal starfighter ace pilot Poe Dameron. Also making his debut to the Star Wars franchise is Adam Driver as the mysterious, powerful and utterly frightening Kylo Ren.

We’ve all been feeling the force’s awakening here at Roobla. You can find Roobla’s very own Olivia Haines‘ review of it here.

Thanks for reading. And as always, may the force be with you.