The tangible hype surrounding a new stab at one of the most successful and beloved film series in history reached the moment of truth on Monday night in Los Angeles, where Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered at three cinemas.
While details of the film are still being kept under wraps, fans lucky enough to have attended the premier turned Twitter ablaze with their gushing reviews that are raising predictions the new film may make film history.
The Force Awakens is anticipated to be the top grossing movie of 2016, and many predict it may be the best selling film at the global box office, surpassing Avatar's $2.7 billion, reports the Guardian.
In Israel, Star Wars fans will get their chance to see the newest take on the sci-fi classic this Thursday, with Israeli movie theaters already selling tickets online. Likewise in the UK it will premier on December 17, while in the US the movie will release on December 18.
The stars of the original Star Wars trilogy took part in the festivities on Monday night, with Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill putting in an appearance at the theaters even as they do in the new movie, reprising their beloved roles as Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker.
George Lucas sold all rights to Star Wars back in October 2012 to Disney, but the film-maker was sure to attend the premier where he was given a standing ovation. The new movie was directed by J.J. Abrams.
Giddy fans still showing obvious signs of the buzz from the premiere lost no time in thronging on Twitter, where they shared their gushing reactions without giving away any spoilers.
The movie is "everything you want it to be" and "soooo Star Wars," wrote fans, with others noting Harrison Ford "really shines" and gets more screen time than some may have expected.
One fan simply wrote: "Not going to say much till I see it again but rest assured THE FORCE AWAKENS is the best STAR WARS since 1983...maybe 1980."