A new generation of fans will be introduced to the Star Wars saga this Christmas. Star Wars: The Force Awakens premieres December 18 across theaters in the U.S.
The film is the seventh installment in the main series and the first film in the third Star Wars trilogy. It takes place approximately 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, which was released in 1983.
The first official movie trailer, released during Monday Night Football, sent fans across the world into a frenzy of anticipation. The demand for tickets crashed theater websites as fans scrambled to purchase tickets for opening day. Many opening night showings sold out in a matter of minutes.
For the seriously committed Star Wars fan, theaters have scheduled marathon showings of all seven movies shown in chronological in order.
Riding galaxy-sized expectations, the new Star Wars movie is already setting records for pre-opening ticket sales, with less than a month to go. The movie is on track to have the biggest December opening ever, topping The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opened in December 2012.
Exactly a month from release, The Force Awakens had 405 million trailer and teaser views on Facebook and YouTube. That’s 87 percent more than this summer’s Jurassic World, which currently holds the number three spot in record sales.
With an audience that now spans multiple generations, The Force Awakens offers a unique experience for friends and families to share.
Watch an official trailer below: