The new Star Wars movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has smashed New Zealand opening day box office records, taking in $1.567m in day one ticket sales.

Star Wars' New Zealand distributor, Sony Pictures, revealed the figures on Friday, saying they had smashed the previous record, set by The Avengers, which opened on April 25 2012, and collected $1.020m on its first day in cinemas.

The Force Awakens was quick on to Kiwi screens, premiering in Los Angeles on December 14 (December 15 New Zealand time), holding its Kiwi premiere on Wednesday December 16, and then opening that night in screens across the country with midnight viewings for the most dedicated fans. It opened at 104 locations, on 203 screens - and there were 66 midnight screenings available.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens broke $1m in ticket sales on day one in New Zealand.

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The movie has revived the franchise, at least with the critics, who have been almost uniform in their praise. Stuff's reviewer Sarah Watt wrote: "Two words. Awe. Some", calling it "entertainment of the first order".

PETER MEECHAM/FAIRFAX NZ Manaia McCaul, 6, at the Sylvia Park cinema in Auckland, for the local premiere of The Force Awakens: fans around the country have flooded cinemas to see the film.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 holds the New Zealand opening weekend record, earning $2.91 million when it opened in 2011.