‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Breaks Pre-Sale Ticket Records with $100M

The most highly anticipated movie of the year, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," has completely smashed the pre-sale ticket record with sales crossing the $100 million mark in North America alone. The Hollywood Reporter cited sources stating that these sale numbers are "unheard-of."

The ticket sales are expected to reached $120 million, especially since theaters across the United States have been adding screening times due to the high demand. Disney has not commented about the advanced ticket sales. THR reported that the previous holder of the record was 2012's "The Dark Knight Rises," which made $25 million in advanced ticket sales.

Fandango, an online service that allows people to purchase movie tickets, announced on Tuesday that J.J. Abrams' movie is Fandango's top selling movie under the advanced ticket category. MovieTickets.com also reported a record number of advance ticket sales.

The movie, which premiered in Hollywood, California on Monday night, has received very positive reviews so far is expected to bring in $180 to $220 million in North America.

Per The New York Times:

"The big news about "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is - spoiler alert - that it's good! ...It has the usual toy-store-ready gizmos and critters, but it also has appealingly imperfect men and women whose blunders and victories, decency and goofiness remind you that a pop mythology like "Star Wars" needs more than old gods to sustain it..."

IGN, which gave the movie an 8.8/10, wrote:

"'Stars Wars: The Force Awakens' is the movie it was promised to be, with great new characters, a respect for the original trilogy and a strong understanding of what makes this franchise click with fans. The new additions to the Star Wars universe work best, though there is some over-reliance on tying things to and making nods to the classic Star Wars films. Overall, this is a great way to reboot the franchise and open the world up for a new generation of fans."

Rottentomatoes.com has given the movie a 95 percent rating.

International numbers have been impressive as well. On Wednesday, the movie grossed $14.1 million from 12 international markets.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is the first movie from the franchise that was produced without the creator, George Lucas. It stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong'o, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver.

The movie officially comes out in theaters everywhere on Friday, Dec. 18. There are preview screenings taking place Thursday night.