The Empire Strikes Back Again (And Again)
In other bonkers news, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) is the top new release (2020). Again.
Yep, I totally “borrowed” the lede from Forbes’ Scott Mendelson.
But, seriously, you really can’t say it any other way.
Empire Rules Again….
Image: StarWars.com
Box Office: ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Tops ‘Jurassic Park’ As 2020’s Biggest-Grossing Rerelease.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Image: Shopify
In yet more “only in 2020” box office news, last weekend’s top new release was The Empire Strikes Back. Yes, Walt Disney and Lucasfilm released Irvin Kirshner and George Lucas’ Star Wars sequel into 2,097 theaters for the film’s 40th anniversary, and the film earned $908,000 in theaters. That puts it behind Tenet ($3.4 million), The New Mutants ($1.147 million for a $19.46 million) and Unhinged ($1 million for a $17.2 million cume) for fourth place. This is the second time the 1980 blockbuster has been rereleased in domestic theaters this year. The 2020 reissue of what is often considered the best Star Wars movie has now earned $1.923 million this year.
I mean, unreal. Right? I mean, I already posted about Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back leading the box office this past summer:
So, here we go again!
And this time, Mendelson added:
BoxOfficeMojo.com
The Empire Strikes Back has now earned $550 million worldwide, counting the various reissues (including the blockbuster “Special Edition” reissues of the original Star Wars trilogy in early 1997). But yes, among official 2020 domestic reissues, The Empire Strikes Back struck hardest.
Earlier this summer, I saw Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with my son at the Drive-In.
So, I am pretty well part of each of the releases’ take. And if I were going to movie theaters right now, I’d be plunking down the dough to go as often as possible.
The movie is that good. So, I am not all that shocked that so many folks are flocking to cinema.
However, I am really looking forward to getting back to the movie theater. Buy some popcorn. Maybe some Raisinets.
And if the film has an opening crawl. I won’t be upset.
