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Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a 2015 American epic space opera film directed by J.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a 2015 American epic space opera film directed by J. J. Abrams. It is the seventh film in the Skywalker Saga and the first installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, set about 30 years after Return of the Jedi. The film was the first live-action Star Wars release distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and its title was announced on November 6, 2014.

Plot overview

The film is set three decades after Return of the Jedi and centres on new characters Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they become involved in the search for Luke Skywalker. The Resistance battles the First Order, a successor to the Galactic Empire.

Production and release

The film was co-written and directed by J. J. Abrams and released in 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Its Hollywood premiere took place on December 14, 2015, and it opened in the United States on December 18.

Cast and characters

The ensemble cast includes Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa, and newer leads such as Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac.

Reception and box office

The Force Awakens was both a critical and commercial success. It earned roughly $2.07 billion worldwide and set multiple box-office records. At the time of release, it became the highest-grossing film in the United States and Canada, making it a significant title for Canadian box-office history.

Place in the franchise

The film is the first entry in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and the seventh film in the broader Skywalker Saga. It marked the beginning of Disney-era theatrical Star Wars releases.

Key facts

  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the seventh film in the Skywalker Saga and the first installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
  • Directed by J. J. Abrams, the film follows Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Han Solo, and others in a search for Luke Skywalker.
  • Released in December 2015, it grossed about $2.07 billion worldwide and became the highest-grossing film in the United States and Canada at the time.
  • The title was announced on November 6, 2014, and it was the first live-action Star Wars film distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
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Canadian context

The film became the highest-grossing film in Canada and the United States at the time of its release, making it a significant title for Canadian box-office history.[1]

Frequently asked questions

What is Star Wars: The Force Awakens?
It is a 2015 American science-fiction film and the seventh episode in the Skywalker Saga.
Who directed the film?
J. J. Abrams directed the film.
When was it released?
It premiered on December 14, 2015, and was released in U.S. cinemas on December 18, 2015.
How successful was it at the box office?
It grossed about $2.07 billion worldwide and became the highest-grossing film in the United States and Canada at the time.
What is the film about?
It follows Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and Han Solo in a search for Luke Skywalker while the Resistance fights the First Order.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Awakens
    Supports: Release date, director, cast, plot, sequel trilogy placement, box office, title announcement
  2. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction — https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/star_wars_episode_vii_the_force_awakens
    Supports: Film identification, director, writers, cast, runtime, release year