The long-awaited Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker gathered in $40 million (around $60m NZD) in US and Canadian ticket sales on its opening night, Walt Disney Co. estimates.
The total ranked as the fifth-highest domestic opening night of all time, Disney said - but brought in less than the previous Star Wars instalments in the final trilogy, according to Reuters.
The Force Awakens (2015) raked in $57 ($86m NZD) million on its opening night, while the 2017 episode The Last Jedi hauled in $45 ($68m NZD) million.
The Rise of Skywalker has earned an additional $59.1 ($89m NZD) million internationally, Disney said.
The JJ Abrams film brings the 42-year film saga to a close, begun by George Lucas in 1977.
The film stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac teaming up to fight against the First Order.
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The third instalment in the final Star Wars trilogy brings the 42-year-old saga to a close. Photo / File
It's divided critics, but Disney says Star Wars fans have welcomed it with open arms - 86 per cent of ticket buyers surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes gave it a positive rating.
The movie is expected to land among the biggest film openings in history by Sunday.
The Force Awakens drew in $248 million ($375m NZD) in ticket sales throughout its first weekend, with The Last Jedi bringing in $220 million ($333m NZD).
Disney's Avengers: Endgame holds the record for a Thursday night opening, pulling in $60 million ($90m NZD) on its opening night before breaking another record with $357 million ($541m NZD) over the weekend.
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