Star Wars: The Force Awakens crosses $250M globally after record Friday

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has already surpassed $100 million US in North America and $250 million globally, setting it up for a record-breaking weekend.

The Walt Disney Co. on Saturday said the film made an estimated $120.5 million from Thursday night previews and opening day Friday. That smashes the previous opening day record of $91.1 million, set by 2011's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. Studios count Thursday night grosses as part of opening day.

Disney is projecting a domestic weekend total of around $220 million, which would surpass the record $208.8 million of Jurassic World. It's a type of release never before seen in December, where the previous top opening was 2012's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with $84.6 million.

The latest Star Wars is playing in 4,134 North American theaters, the widest December release ever.

But The Force Awakens is riding a wave of hype, nostalgia and positive reviews from critics and fans alike. J.J. Abrams' seventh chapter in George Lucas' saga has earned an A CinemaScore from moviegoers who have flooded theatres nationwide. Some $100 million in advance tickets were sold for the movie's Thursday night debut.

Since beginning its overseas rollout Wednesday, The Force Awakens has made an estimated $129.5 million internationally.

Jurassic World, an unexpected sensation in June, also holds the global weekend opening record with $524.9 million, a number The Force Awakens could well exceed.