The ninth and final chapter of the Skywalker franchise had a gangbusters opening in Australia yesterday amid predictions the first weekend could deliver a stratospheric $450 million globally.
Coming off an all-time industry record in 2016, the Australian theatrical market lost a bit of momentum in 2017 – a cyclical downturn which does not worry distributors or exhibitors.
The 'Maze Runner' trilogy looks like ending on an upbeat note, judging by the No. 1 debut of 'Maze Runner: The Death Cure' in Australia last weekend, while local release 'Swinging Safari' misfired.
Australian cinemas are set to finish the year on a stratospheric note thanks to the dazzling debut of the second film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, to be followed this Thursday by Paddington 2 and the Boxing Day openers Coco, The Greatest Showman and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.