8 years ago, the most controversial Star Wars broke box office records

Eight years ago, one of the most controversial installments of the Star Wars saga was released in theaters and yet broke all revenue records, marking a turning point for both fans and the film industry.

A dazzling start for Disney and Star Wars

When Disney restarted the universe Star Wars From the second half of the 2010s, the first results exceeded the most optimistic expectations. Upon its release, Star Wars: The Force Awakens caused a real shock wave: not only did the film smash box office records, but it also benefited from the most favorable reviews recorded by the saga in decades. The following year, the spin-off Rogue One: A Star Wars Story confirmed this dynamic, demonstrating that the universe could flourish outside of the Skywalker saga through a story centered on sacrifice in war. This film was praised by both critics and audiences, generating over a billion dollars worldwide.

The feverish wait around “The Last Jedi”

Building on these successes, the imminent arrival of Star Wars: The Last Jediin December 2017, generated exceptional enthusiasm. The expected return of an aging Luke Skywalker and the promise of continuing the narrative arcs launched in The Force Awakens made this new opus essential. However, if the expectation was immense, the reception did not fail to surprise: where some saw in the film a bold reinvention necessary to revitalize the franchise, others felt that Rian Johnson had profoundly betrayed the very essence of the saga.

Resounding commercial success despite controversy

Paradoxically, this polarization did not slow down the film’s financial performance. Although it does not quite reach the heights of the previous opus – which embodied a phenomenon that is difficult to reproduce -, The Last Jedi still finished first at the global box office in 2017 with $1.3 billion earned and a place among the twenty-five biggest cinematic successes (excluding inflation). The production — with a substantial budget estimated at 300 million — has largely paid for itself.

Even more revealing, this success was confirmed in the face of fierce competition during its period of operation. After a national start at 220 million then 450 million internationally (eighth best launch at the time), the film remained number one for several weeks despite notable releases like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. The figures show that the public was hardly discouraged by the heated debates on the internet concerning the fate reserved for Luke Skywalker.

The undeniable appeal of the great Star Wars spectacle

Why this persistent appeal? Everything suggests that for the average viewer – the one who propels these behemoths beyond the billion mark – the simple pleasure of a new Star Wars chapter far outweighs any online controversy. The galactic myth continues to attract crowds ready to reconnect with their favorite galaxy during the holidays.