Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is tracking for a massive opening weekend when it comes out on December 20. According to early tracking, the film is on pace to have an opening in the range of $175 million and $200 million.
This is in the same range as the first two Star Wars sequel trilogy films with Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($247 million) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi ($220 million).
Disney and the box office, in general, are hoping Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ends the year on a good note. Star Wars will face off with Universal’s Cats. Analysts predict that The Rise of Skywalker will crush its competition.
The Rise of Skywalker takes place a year after the events of The Last Jedi. The film is the final installment in the Skywalker Saga which started in 1977. The cast includes Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac. Carrie Fisher will also be in the film by the use of unused footage from The Force Awakens.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker looks to add on to Disney’s impressive and unprecedented year at the box office. The studio had Avengers: Endgame which became the biggest movie in history. The Lion King, Aladdin, Toy Story 4, and Captain Marvel all grossed $1 billion. Frozen 2 is also likely to join the billion club soon too.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
