"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" began its global assault on Wednesday, grossing $14.1 million from its first 12 international markets and eclipsing all previous "Star Wars" entries.
France led with $5.2 million, one of the best showings of all time and almost double the opening-day results of "Jurassic World." It's also the biggest launch for a Disney film, the biggest for a "Star Wars" title, and the biggest December opening day.
"Force Awakens" also landed in Italy, grossing $2 million. That's the best start for December and the biggest for a "Star Wars" film.
The Disney and Lucasfilm release — placing No. 1 everywhere — smashed records in Sweden and Norway, scoring the biggest single industry day of all time with $1.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. And it nabbed the biggest opening day of all time in Belgium ($800,000), Finland ($600,000), the Netherlands ($800,000), and French-speaking Switzerland.
Directed by J.J. Abrams, "Force Awakens" opens across the world this weekend — it begins playing in North America on Thursday night — save for China, where it debuts January 9. In many countries, it has set records in terms of advance ticket sales.
This past summer, "Jurassic World" made history when opening to $524.9 million, including a record $208.8 million domestically and $316.4 million internationally. "Jurassic World," however, had the advantage of including China on opening day.
Other foreign markets where "Force Awakens" debuted Wednesday include Denmark, the Philippines, and Thailand.
On Thursday, the tentpole launches in the UK, Germany, Austria, Russia, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. On Friday, it lands everywhere in North America after Thursday-night previews, as well as in Japan, Spain, Venezuela.
SEE ALSO: Review: "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" lives up to the hype and promises a thrilling future
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