Star Wars: The Force Awakens crushes box office records

Like the throats of Darth Vader's commanding officers, box office records have been crushed by Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

It beat Jurassic World's domestic opening of $208.8 million with an estimated $238 million in the US alone. It also broke records in the UK, Australia, Russia, and many more besides.

The Force Awakens has to settle for 2nd in the global sales stakes behind Jurassic World. The latest Star Wars instalment recorded an estimated $517 million in worldwide ticket sales, but Chris Pratt's dino adventure took in $525 million. It's worth noting that Jurassic World's tally includes ticket sales in China where Star Wars will not open until January.

China could hold the key to The Force Awakens' success. It opens there on January 9th, but expectations will likely be kept in check. Star Wars: Episode III's release there in 2005 only took in $9 million.

The Force Awakens has its sights set on Avatar's highest grossing movie record, which currently stands at $2.8 billion in global sales. It's certainly off to a strong start.

Disney's $4 billion purchase of Lucasfilm almost looks like a bargain now.