IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Smashes Christmas Box Office Record

Disney's space saga beat the Christmas record set by "Sherlock Holmes," which opened on Dec. 25, 2009.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Press Conference
Actor John Boyega, actress Daisy Ridley, director J.J. Abrams and actor Adam Driver pose with BB-8 at a press conference for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' on December 11, 2015.Yuriko Nakao / Getty Images

Christmas Day is heralding yet another record for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Press Conference
Actor John Boyega, actress Daisy Ridley, director J.J. Abrams and actor Adam Driver pose with BB-8 at a press conference for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' on December 11, 2015.Yuriko Nakao / Getty Images

Disney's space saga is smashing the Christmas record with at least $40 million at 4,134 U.S. theaters on Friday. That will easily exceed the earlier record $24.6 million from "Sherlock Holmes," which opened on Dec. 25, 2009.

"The Force Awakens" is expected to take in at at least $140 million this weekend, which will push its U.S. total past $500 million. The space saga racked up $391.1 million in its first week -- obliterating the record of $296.2 million set in June by the first week of "Jurassic World."

RELATED: The Force Is Strong as 'Star Wars' Hauls in $517 Million