It beat the previous record holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, which earned $43.5 million in July 2011, by $13.5 million. The Force Awakens began showing at 7 PM, with 3D making up nearly half (47%) of the night’s showings.  IMAX viewings also posted a new record, with $5.7 million earned from 391 screens (the previous record was $3 million.)  Advanced ticket sales for the film topped $50 million in North America, also a new record (see “'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Advance Ticket Sales Double Previous Record”).

 Box office observers say the film is likely to not only surpass Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 record of $91 million for Friday night, but it is well positioned to dethrone Jurassic World’s  $208.8 million domestic debut weekend total (see “'Jurassic World' Thunders to Worldwide Record Debut”).

The Rentrak exit poll service numbers indicate the audience is heavily male (71%), with 53% of the audience over the age of 25, and 64% between the ages of 18 and 34.

The film has already grossed $72.7 million in its two days overseas, which brings the total to nearly $130 million.