It’s a common saying that records are meant to be broken, and a look at box office numbers proves it. Over time, many different records have been surpassed, from how much individual movie series have earned to overall all-time highs. While most films at the top of the charts will likely be overtaken eventually, there’s one record that will be incredibly difficult to beat. Star Wars has always been a huge success in theaters, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens perfectly demonstrates just how powerful it can be. Released during the highly anticipated 2015 holiday season, The Force Awakens had an amazing run in cinemas.
On January 6, 2016, The Force Awakens achieved a major accomplishment: it became the highest-grossing film ever in the United States and Canada, surpassing Avatar. The film earned an incredible $764.4 million in just 20 days, and its run in theaters was far from over. Ultimately, The Force Awakens grossed $936.6 million domestically. It’s the only film to ever reach $900 million in North American ticket sales, and it’s unlikely any movie will match that success anytime soon.
The Force Awakens Was an Unprecedented Cinematic Event
The anticipation for The Force Awakens was enormous. It was a true cultural moment, reviving the incredibly popular Star Wars franchise after a decade-long pause and finally showing fans what happened after Return of the Jedi. While there had been plenty of Star Wars books, comics, and games before Disney bought Lucasfilm, nothing compared to experiencing the story on the big screen. The film’s marketing was also incredibly effective, drawing in both devoted fans who had loved the original movies and a new generation of viewers who connected with characters like Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron. The trailers skillfully blended nostalgia with a fresh introduction to the Star Wars universe, making it appealing to everyone.
While its broad appeal to fans of all ages was a major factor in its success, The Force Awakens was practically guaranteed to be a hit no matter when it was released. However, debuting in December significantly increased its box office potential. Instead of competing with the many summer blockbusters like Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jurassic World, and Inside Out, The Force Awakens stood out as the only major holiday release, giving it a huge advantage. There was a real desire for an enjoyable, big-budget movie, and The Force Awakens delivered exactly what audiences wanted.
When it comes to major movie events, Avengers: Endgame came closest to matching the impact of The Force Awakens. Endgame had the huge challenge of finishing the decade-long Infinity Saga in a satisfying way. Fans were eager to see how Marvel would bring everything together after creating such a massive and interconnected universe, as the film tied up many storylines and character developments. Although Endgame earned more money worldwide, The Force Awakens performed better in the United States. Endgame made $858.3 million domestically, which was about $78.3 million less than The Force Awakens.
It seems unlikely any movie will surpass the box office success of The Force Awakens. Even Avengers: Endgame, a massive hit, couldn’t beat it, and future Marvel films like Doomsday and Secret Wars, while promising, face challenges given the mixed reception to the Multiverse Saga. Avengers: Infinity War didn’t even reach $700 million domestically. While Avatar is a strong contender, The Way of Water fell short, and the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently behind that pace. Even if James Cameron completes the planned sequels, Avatar probably won’t reach the top. Similarly, even new Star Wars projects like The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter, despite their potential, aren’t expected to reach the same heights as The Force Awakens due to a shift in the fanbase.
Moviegoing Habits Have Changed Too Much
I don’t think any movie, no matter how big, is going to hit that $900 million mark anymore, and it’s not just about the film itself. Things have changed so much in the last ten years! When The Force Awakens came out, streaming was around, sure, but it wasn’t the powerhouse it is today – Stranger Things hadn’t even launched yet! And then, of course, the pandemic hit, which completely shook up the movie industry and how long films even stay in theaters. It all happened right as all the streaming services were battling it out for viewers, and that just completely changed how people watch movies.
While people still go to movie theaters, attendance isn’t what it used to be. In 2015, when The Force Awakens came out, domestic box office revenue totaled $11.1 billion. By 2025, that number had dropped to $8.6 billion – a difference of almost $3 billion. This is partly because movies are available to rent or buy at home much sooner after their release. Even popular blockbusters like Superman aren’t staying in theaters for very long. Superman, released this past July, was available for purchase on demand in mid-August. These days, many people prefer to wait and watch new movies at home, and there’s less pressure to see them in theaters immediately, unless you’re a dedicated fan or really enjoy the cinema experience.
Looking back, The Force Awakens came out on Blu-ray and digital download in early April 2016, just over three months after its theatrical release. This meant fans had to wait a long time to watch it again. Repeat viewings were crucial to the film’s massive success, and it’s hard to imagine a modern blockbuster relying on them as much. While films like Top Gun: Maverick and Spider-Man: No Way Home also benefited from people seeing them multiple times, The Force Awakens still achieved a significantly higher level of repeat business.
It’s getting harder to convince even dedicated movie fans to return to theaters multiple times. With busy lives and the knowledge that films will soon be available at home, paying for tickets and snacks repeatedly doesn’t seem worth it. Seeing a movie once in the theater, especially a highly anticipated blockbuster on opening weekend, still makes sense – avoiding spoilers is a big draw. However, after that initial viewing, there’s little reason to go back, as the convenience of watching it at home is just around the corner. While some films like No Way Home and Top Gun: Maverick have proven exceptions, repeat trips to the theater might become less common in the future.
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2026-01-06 18:14