It’s enough to make a Porg smile: Irvine theater is first in ‘Last Jedi’ opening ticket sales

Edwards Irvine Spectrum Center 21 attracted more moviegoers than any theater in North America for the Dec. 14-15 opening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.�

Including presale, the theater sold the most two-day opening tickets, according to analytics company comScore.

“We’re traditionally in the top echelon for blockbuster films,� said Blake Windal, general manager of Irvine Spectrum Center. “We expected to perform very well, and we were prepping for the masses, but we’re surprised to be No. 1.�

Windal said he didn’t know exactly how many tickets were sold to make Spectrum No. 1, and a spokesperson for Regal Entertainment Group, which owns Edwards, was out of the office until Jan. 2.

Windal said the cinema most likely reached the No. 1 spot because of the center’s attractions, restaurants, stores and accessibility for shoppers to purchase holiday gifts and see the anticipated Disney film.

The theater recently added a new luxury wing with plush recliners, seat-side service, reserved seating and a lounge.

Edwards Irvine Spectrum promoted the movie with a DJ and star tracker lights spotlighting cosplaying fans.

Edwards Irvine Spectrum is one of the top-grossing theaters in the nation with 5,153 seats, 21 screens, an eight-story IMAX screen and an RPX screen.

“The Last Jedi� debuted to an estimated $220 million in North America, the second-best opening ever behind its predecessor, 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.� The Irvine theater ranked No. 6 in the nation for that opening.

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Twitter: @KathleenLuppi