By This past week, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker managed to break $1 billion at the global box-office. A feat that took longer than both of its predecessors (The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi), this news may come as a shock to fans that are still complaining over the film. Many see this as the death of Star Wars, but Disney is clearly satisfied with yet another billion dollar earner under its belt.
In fact, this accomplishment actually updates a previous article about Disney’s 2019 earnings. Before the new year started, Disney had six films in 2019 earn $1 billion in net gross. With Rise of Skywalker joining that club, the total jumps to seven and increases overall profits to around $14 billion. I see those “fans” couldn’t help but rush to theaters and watch this movie.
Still, the declining numbers over the course of this trilogy should have Disney concerned for the future of the Star Wars brand. While The Mandalorian has been successful for both the company and its Disney+ streaming service, it will need to avoid making duds like Solo if it wants to keep the series financially viable at theaters. That is probably the strangest sentence I’ve ever written about a film making $1 billion, but that is the world we live in.
Whatever happens between now and the next Star Wars trilogy, it looks like the franchise isn’t going anywhere.
‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘ tops $1 billion at the global box office [CNBC]
