“Stars Wars: The Force Awakens” has put up its record-breaking box office numbers with a huge boost from repeat business.
An eye-popping 61 percent of third-weekend audiences had seen the blockbuster at least once before, and 23 percent had seen it two or more times, according to exit polling conducted by Disney over the weekend of Jan. 1-3.
“You don’t hit a billion in 12 days globally without the repeat viewing factor… and without a great movie,” Rentrak senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian told TheWrap. “No matter how great the hype, no one will pay to see a movie again and again if its not.”
The J.J. Abrams-directed film last week became the highest-grossing film ever at the U.S. box office. After taking in $3.8 million Tuesday, “The Force Awakens” is up to $819 million in total grosses domestically.
With another $946 million from international, its worldwide haul is up to $1.76 billion.
“The Force Awakens” stars Daisy Ridley and John Boyega in the key roles as Rey and Finn along with original “Star Wars” stars Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and Carrie Fisher as General Leia. “The Force Awakens” is set 30 years after the events of 1983’s “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.”
The production budget on “The Force Awakens” from Abrams’ Bad Robot and Lucasfilm, was $200 million. Bryan Burk and Kathleen Kennedy produced along with Abrams, who shared screenwriting duties with Michael Arndt and Lawrence Kasdan.
11 Most Ridiculous 'Star Wars'-Branded Products
Your loved ones will want to slice you open from neck to abdomen and crawl inside you for warmth with this "Star Wars" hooded jumpsuit.
Forever 21
Star your day the arbitrary way with this tenuous-at-best "Star Wars"-Cinnamon Toast Crunch partnership!
General Mills
Credit Ample Hills for at least attempting synergy with its limited edition "Light Side, Dark Side" Star Wars ice cream. Then debit them for charging $36 for it.
Ample Hills Creamery
When the phantom menace is a magnesium deficiency, Star Wars gummy multi-vitamins will "light" the way!
Nature Smart
Vaguely mimicking the texture of Darth Vader's life support jumpsuit is this leather jacket for wearers with a disturbing lack of faith in personal style.
Matchless
Fans looking to trim the Fett from their diets will have to look elsewhere, with Kraft's Star Wars-edition Cheese & Macaroni. (We'll never join you "macaroni & cheese" droids!!!)
Kraft
You'll be the belle of Mos Eisley Cantina in these flashy-if-not-stylish LED light-saber platforms.
Irregular Choice
It's like there's a party on Hoth and only your mouth is invited with "The Force Awakens" ice cream cakes!
Baskin Robbins
If you find a hair in your Campbell's soup, don't be alarmed; that's real Wookiee.
Campbell Soup Company
The corporate synergy between Star Wars and non-dairy frankencreamer is so obvious we won't insult your intelligence by discussing it a moment further.
Nestle
Bobby Abley and Rodarte's fashion lines the last few years place an emphasis on the wearer's comfort and style while they're getting stuffed in a high school locker.
SelfRidges
1 of 12
With “The Force Awakens” opening Dec. 18, it looks like Disney’s licensing department rubber-stamped these merchandise requests