Not that there ever was any doubt about it, but STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS makes an astronomical debut this weekend with $238 million for Disney, from 4,134 theatres. This not only sets a record for the largest domestic opening ever for a Film, but also critically fares well with an A CinemaScore from satisfied Audiences and a stellar 95% score from Critics on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. Among other records, it became the first ever Film to cross $100 million in one day ane also it has the distinction of being the fastest Film the surpass both the $100 and $200 million-marks. By comparison, the first ever Film in the Franchise in 1977 opened in 43 theatres only with $1.5 million earned in its first weekend.
ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP is the latest in the successful Franchise, debuting with $14.5 million for 20th Century Fox, good enough for distant second at 3,653 theatres. Despite an A- CinemaScore from Audiences, Critics gave it only 14% on the Tomatometer.
SISTERS starring famed duo Tina Fey and Amy Poehler opens in third with $14 million from 2,962 theatres for Universal Pictures. With a B CinemaScore from Audiences, it gets a passable 62% on the Tomatometer.
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 is in fourth this weekend with $5.3 million now in its fifth week out. It has made $254 million in its domestic run to date for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.
CREED is in fifth this weekend with $4.8 million for Warner Bros. In four weeks it has made $87.6 million in North America.
SPECTRE in its seventh week out rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million. It now has grossed $193 million domestically for Sony Pictures.
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