STAR Wars: The Force Awakens has been named the top movie of the decade for Irish cinemagoers — with four films released last year also making the top ten.

The 2015 Star Wars offering, which was partially filmed on Skellig Michael, beat stiff competition from last year’s The Lion King and Avengers: Endgame to nab the top spot.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was the top movie for Irish cinema goers Credit: handout

The Lion King was the seen top movie of 2019 Credit: AP:Associated Press

The Joker also captivated audiences, while Avatar from 2010 completed the decade’s top five movies.

And this year looks set to be another bumper year at the box office with sequels to Minions, Top Gun and Bill & Ted, as well as new Bond and Ghostbusters flicks all due to hit cinemas.

Wide Eye Media CEO Eoin Wrixon said: “The Irish public continues to enjoy a very special relationship with cinema, it remains the most powerful and compelling medium on this Island.

"We have always been a nation of storytellers and story-lovers and where could be more ideal to see, hear and feel a thrilling tale than on the mother of all screens with surround sound?”

Here, AOIFE BANNON looks at the top ten grossing ­movies from the last decade that they’ll be trying to beat.

1. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 2015

Walt Disney Studios €6,794,638

THE Force was strong for the Disney reboot of Star Wars in 2015.

Set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens follows Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and Han Solo’s search for Luke Skywalker and their fight in the Resistance.

Led by General Leia Organa and veterans of the Rebel Alliance, against Kylo Ren and the First Order.

2. THE LION KING 2019 Walt Disney Studios €6,542,001 This remake of the 1994 classic used photo-realistic computer technology to bring the African Plains to life.

Featuring the voices of Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. The movie was criticised for its lack of originality but still managed to attract huge audiences at the box office.

3. AVENGERS: ENDGAME 2019

Walt Disney Studios €6,408,459

AN all-star cast of Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo helped make this superhero movie storm the box office.

Avengers Endgame Credit: AP:Associated Press

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins.

With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos’ actions and restore balance to the universe.

4. JOKER 2019 Warner Bros. €6,341,968 ANOTHER movie from this year that lit up screens was The Joker. Notably not a superhero movie, psychological thriller film is based on the DC Comics famous character and stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker. He’s rightly tipped to win lots of accolades during the upcoming awards season.

5. AVATAR** 2010

20th Century Fox €6,214,107

Now a decade old, Avatar was considered ground-breaking upon its release in December 2009.

Avatar 2010 Credit: Handout

During its theatrical run, the film broke several box office records and became the highest-grossing film at the time, as well as in the United States and Canada, surpassing its director James Cameron’s Titanic, which had held those records for twelve years.

Two sequels are planned for 2021 and 2023.

6. SKYFALL 2012 Universal €6,006,062 THE 23rd James Bond movie was another massive draw for cinema-goers. The film is the third to star Daniel Craig as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond and features Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva, the villain. With Judi Dench in her final appearance as M.

7. TOY STORY 4 2019

Walt Disney Studios €5,977,285

THIS year’s big animation hit was Toy Story 4.

Toy Story 4 2019 Credit: Walt Disney Studios

The film directly follows Toy Story 3, as Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their other toy friends have found new appreciation living with Bonnie.

They are joined by Forky, a spork that Bonnie has made into a toy, and embark on a road trip adventure.

8. TOY STORY 3 2010 Walt Disney Studios €5,723,545 ORIGINALLY intended as the final instalment from Toy Story. The movie focuses on Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Andy’s other remaining toys accidentally being donated to a daycare centre. Their owner Andy, now 17 years old, is preparing to leave for college, and thus the toys race to get home before Andy leaves.

9. MAMMA MIA: HERE WE GO AGAIN! 2018

Universal €5,515,396

ANOTHER Abba-inspired musical was too much for audiences to resist in 2018.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 2018 Credit: Alamy

The film features an ensemble cast, including Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Meryl Streep, and Cher.

Following on from the success of the 2008 movie, this one was another feast for musical lovers.

10. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 2012

Warner Bros. €5,500,679

THE Dark Knight Rises is the final instalment in director Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy.

The Dark Knight Rises 2012 Credit: Warner Bros

Like its predecessors, it was a critical and commercial success.

Set eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, merciless revolutionary Bane forces Bruce Wayne to resume his role as Batman and save Gotham City from nuclear