New York (CNN Business) Disney is about to end its landmark year with yet another box office milestone as the final chapter of the Skywalker saga storms into theaters this weekend.

predict it could bring in as much as $200 million or more. Disney DIS "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" is expected to have a $175 million opening in North America this weekend, according to industry analysts, but some expertspredict it could bring in as much as $200 million or more.says it's anticipating a three-day opening around $160 million. It made $40 million on Thursday night. That's the fifth highest-grossing Thursday night of all time.

If it does cross the $200 million mark, that would be the second biggest opening of this year, behind " Avengers: Endgame ." Only seven films in history have opened to more than $200 million domestically, and two of those films are part of the Star Wars franchise.

A $200 million opening, however, would still be less than the domestic debuts of " The Force Awakens ," Disney's first film in the new trilogy which made $248 million in 2015, and its 2017 sequel " The Last Jedi ," which brought in $220 million.

"Rise of Skywalker" holds an enviable box office position of being the final chapter of a Star Wars saga that was 42 years and three trilogies in the making, not to mention a fanbase that spans the globe and generations. Fandango correspondent Erik Davis said "Rise of Skywalker" caps off "a story that is among the most well-known and beloved stories ever told on the big screen."