The Light And The Dark

The Star Wars franchise has generated an estimated $20bn (£10.8bn) in revenue to date.

The five Star Wars films before Revenge of the Sith generated $5.7bn in cinema and DVD sales, and $9bn in merchandising as well as marketing revenues from corporate sponsors.

The latest Star Wars film has more promotional partners than virtually any other film.

Toys are the biggest merchandising category, prompting Toys R Us to open the doors of 316 of its US stores and 21 international branches at one minute past midnight.

Recruitment firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas estimates that US businesses will lose $627m through staff taking time off sick to be among the first to see it.