Disney’s (DIS) “Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker” debuted at the box office on Thursday and is already breaking records. The movie has so far brought in $40 million in the U.S. and Canada, according to Walt Disney Co. estimates, making it the fifth highest debut of all time.
The film is on track to be another big hit for Disney after a successful year. “I think this is a billion-dollar movie worldwide all day long,” said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore Senior Media Analyst, on YFi AM. “Rise of Skywalker” is the third and likely last film in the third installment of the “Star Wars” saga, and Dergarabedian believes this film is bound to be as successful as all the other movies in the trilogy.
“The previous ‘Star Wars’ installments, of course ‘Force Awakens’ was a phenomenon because of what it meant when that first film in this new era of ‘Star Wars’ was released. And that film went on to make $2 billion worldwide. ‘Last Jedi’ made $1.3 billion. I think this is right in the sweet spot for ‘Star Wars,’ more in line with ‘Last Jedi’, which was no slouch — $200 million opening, and went on to make over $1 billion at the global box office.”
Disney released a number of box office hits in 2019, now including “Rise of Skywalker,” “Frozen 2” and its Marvel movies. Looking ahead to 2020, Disney now must maintain its success in a post “Star Wars,” post “Avengers” era. “They’re at over $10 billion worldwide. That’s never happened before,” Dergarabedian said. “it’s going to be tough to live up to that for any studio, including Disney, in 2020.”
READ MORE:
Peloton's $2,245 exercise bike is a 'new' kind of status symbol: Brand consultant
'Frozen 2' could 'easily' break $1 billion: Box Office Guru founder
Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn,YouTube, and reddit.
