‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Makes $45 Million from Thursday Night Previews

We all figured that The Last Jedi would mint the second biggest opening weekend of all-time behind its story line predecessor The Force Awakens, and its haul from last night is well on its way to proving us right. During its first North American screenings last night—starting at 6pm for those who double featured with TFA—Star Wars Episode VIII banked a minimum of $45 million. 

According to Deadline, however, that number might go up when every last bean is counted this morning...

We have to continually asterisk these projections when they are this early, but there’s even a shot that The Last Jedi could even cross into the $50M-plus sphere. 

To put that in perspective, it's way behind The Force Awakens' $57 million opening night, but ahead of previous record holder Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2's $43 million. No one thought it could conceivably outgross Force Awakens, I don't think. That film had decades of pent up excitement working in its favor. This one had two years. Don't get me wrong, that's a long time to wait, but nowhere near as long as last time. 

Deadline is vaguely predicting a $200 million opening weekend for the film, which would put it fourth on the all-time opening weekend chart behind TFA, Jurassic World, and The Avengers. It would only need to crack $209 to surpass Jurassic World and earn the runner-up title, so look for it to make at least that much. I doubt it will hold that title for long, though, as I fully expect Avengers: Infinity War to challenge Force Awakens' opening weekend crown in May. 

I'm seeing The Last Jedi seven hours from now, so I'm at peak nerdiness. I will also be avoiding the comments section on this post lest some jokester want to come in and spoil it for everyone. Just kidding, everyone, it's only Koos, saying something about Rey needs to wear a thong or whatever. Go back to your normal activities.