Sold-out showings of “Episode III,” the final installment of the seminal science fiction series created by Lucas, drew enthusiastic crowds to theaters across the country — many dressed in full “Star Wars” regalia with Jedi light sabers at the ready. Denoted by some as an “historic cinematic event”, reaching it’s climax 30 years after it began- Moviegoers flocked to the dark side in droves, giving the final installment of George Lucas’”Star Wars” tale a record-breaking midnight run.

“Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” raked in $16 million+ from 2,900 midnight screenings Thursday, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. That’s double what the Oscar-winning film “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” took in during its midnight showings in 2003, which rang up about $8 million domestically from 2,100 midnight shows.

After starting the day with $16,912,367 from midnight shows alone, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith closed Thursday with $50,013,859 from an estimated 9,400 screens at 3,661 theaters. That’s the biggest day ever for a single movie in history.

The studio, 20th Century Fox, said box-office results for the first full day would be available Friday. The final chapter in Lucas’ six-film saga chronicles Anakin Skywalker’s transformation from hero to villain Darth Vader. The film may be the darkest chapter in the “Star Wars” story, and admist much debate among fans, one of the best movies of the saga.

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