Irish cinemas feel the force as blockbusters bring in €100m

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has helped generate a bumper year for the Irish cinema industry, with overall box office receipts predicted to soar to more than €100m by the end of the year.

Spectre, the latest James Bond blockbuster, was officially the highest-grossing release of the year in Ireland (up to December 20), notching up almost €4.5m.

But industry experts say it’s just a matter of time before the latest Star Wars film tops the list and possibly becomes the most successful movie of all time here.