| Date | |
|---|---|
| Author | Zoe Aresti |
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is already breaking records, as super fans across the country flooded cinema chains’ ticket websites in a rush to secure their seat to one of, if not the, most anticipated film of the year.
With two months still to go until the release of the film, many early screenings have completely sold out, with some of DCM’s exhibitors stating that by yesterday lunchtime they had sold more tickets to Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the last 48 hours than have been pre-booked for SPECTRE!
As reported by the FT, Vue said it had sold 45,000 tickets in the first 24 hours after they went on sale on Monday, almost doubling the previous record of 24,000 tickets for Twilight. Odeon said it sold between 70,000 and 75,000 tickets.
The cinema chain said 10,000 tickets were snapped up in the first hour-and-a-half after the box office opened. “This level of advance sales traditionally takes between 30 and 60 days for big blockbusters,” it said. Vue and Odeon will stay open for 24 hours for Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens and for the new James Bond film, SPECTRE, in the first week of their release.
Star Wars studio Disney reported that a record 200,000 plus tickets were sold in 24 hours, beating marks for Skyfall, SPECTRE, The Hunger Games and 50 Shades of Grey.
The huge amount of buzz around the film also provides an unparalleled opportunity for advertisers to engage with these super fans in cinema’s engaging environment, with the biggest screen and the best sound and where audiences are relaxed and undistracted.
With cinemas set for 24 hour opening hours for the film, additional admissions will be on offer. The ad reel is selling fast, with 60% of the first week already sold out, but there’s still the chance to book into cinema’s most premium positions - the Content, Silver and Gold Spots. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Contact your DCM rep for more information today.
The unprecedented demand for the release of the film, is leading to speculation that The Force Awakens has the potential to be THE biggest film of all time, challenging Avatar for the mantle of highest-ever grossing movie.
The final trailer for the film debuted on Monday evening and has amassed over 27m views on the official Star Wars YouTube channel alone.
The new film is directed by JJ Abrams, stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, and comes to a cinema near you on 18 December.
DCM is also running a Star Wars themed round as part of its Fantasy Film League. Find out more and enter here.
Watch the latest trailer here: