'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' earns $238M in North America, sets new record for opening weekend

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the hotly anticipated seventh installment in the sci-fi saga, earned a staggering $238 million at the North American box office during its opening weekend, Rentrak announced Sunday.

The critically praised action flick has scored an estimated $517 million globally and set a new record for biggest domestic debut in cinema history. The previous record-holder was last summer's Jurassic World, which made $208.8 million in the United States and Canada in its first weekend and $524.9 million worldwide.

Coming in far, far away at No. 2 this weekend is Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip with $14.4 million, Sisters at No. 3 with $13.4 million, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2 at No. 4 with $5.7 million and Creed at No. 5 with $5.1 million.

Rounding out the top tier are The Good Dinosaur at No. 6 with $4.2 million, Krampus at No. 7 with $3.8 million, In the Heart of the Sea at No. 8 with $3.5 million, Dilwale at No. 9 with $1.9 million and Bajirao Mastani at No. 10 with $1.7 million.