Star Wars, breaking records around the country, has now shattered a record here in Tampa Bay
One-of-a-kind viewing experience for Star Wars fans leads to highest-grossing month ever at MOSI’s Florida Hospital IMAX® DOME Theatre.
As Star Wars: The Force Awakens set a nationwide record, earning more than $850 million in its first month, it also blasted the previous record for ticket sales in a single month at MOSI’s Florida Hospital IMAX® DOME Theatre.
With four showings a day inside the Museum of Science & Industry’s seven-story domed screen, Star Wars brought in more than $290,000 in its first month.
Stunningly, that total more than doubles the previous record for sales in a single month — $139,000, set in 2012 by The Dark Knight Rises.
MOSI President and CEO Molly Demeulenaere (pronounced “De-mew-len-air”) says the reason for the record is the one-of-a-kind experience of seeing the movie at the only IMAX® DOME theatre in Florida.
“For me, I thought it was great because I could really feel like I was in the movie. It’s the kind of experience you can only have at MOSI. You can’t see that anywhere else,” said lifelong Star Wars fan Sean Becker, 30, after seeing the movie in the Florida Hospital IMAX® DOME Theatre.
Director J.J. Abrams shot portions of the movie using special IMAX® cameras, so fans who have already seen The Force Awakens in a regular theatre will see even more detail and action in the IMAX® DOME during some of the most exciting parts of the film.
“It’s special because you can see so much more detail. You’re looking around at things going on all around you — it makes it feel a lot more real,” Becker said.
During the movie’s opening weekend, Stormtroopers, Droids, and Jedi overran MOSI, posing for pictures with fans (photos available at this link for media and online use). The characters were volunteers from the Tampa Bay chapter of the 501st Legion fan group.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens continues to play at the Florida Hospital IMAX® DOME Theatre at MOSI with multiple afternoon and evening showtimes.
To see showtimes and purchase tickets, visit http://www.mosi.org/imax-dome/star-wars.aspx
Kids can design their own working droid in MOSI’s Star Wars-themed education programs! Learn more about those adventures and others at http://www.mosi.org/education/star-wars-programs.aspx
