Star Wars shatters box office records

The first “Star Wars” film in a decade has recorded the biggest domestic opening in Hollywood’s history, collecting $238 million over the weekend in the United States and Canada.

Worldwide tickets sales also shot up the figure with an estimated $517 million (£350 million) sold on its opening weekend– a staggering debut that re-established the celebrated space saga as a global phenomenon.

Ticket sales also set records in Britain, Australia, Russia and elsewhere as fans embraced a new chapter in the galactic battle between good and evil.

Read also: Safer days ahead? Boeing to deploy ‘star wars’ tech

The Star Wars buzz which has caught many around the world has also caught up with politicians after President Obama ended a news conference on Friday saying he needed to head to a White House screening of the movie, and presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton closed Saturday’s Democratic debate saying, “May the Force be with you.”

“I don’t think ever in the history of movies has there been more hype leading up to release of a film,” said Jeff Bock, senior box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations Co. “This is a huge, huge win.”

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