Fans fill up theaters for Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens this weekend and fans everywhere are heading to theaters to see the latest film in the franchise.

Mark Hamill returns as Luke Skywalker and the late Carrie Fisher reprises her role as General Leai.

“It was magnificent. This movie's going to kill it and make billions of dollars,” said Chad Darbyshire who saw the film at Alamo Drafthouse Friday.

The Star Wars franchise has one of the biggest cult-like followings in Hollywood.

Every time one of the movies hits the big screen, theaters everywhere are packed with loyal fans.

“People wait in line for the iPhone. I feel like Star Wars is like the iPhone of movies,” said Josh Caplett who also caught the flick Friday afternoon.

Eight movies later, Star Wars is one of few franchises that have gained a large following in every age group. “You're talking about a movie that came out in the 70s that is just as popular in 2017,” said fan Michelle Garza-Lake.

“I remember seeing Empire when I was a little kid in a movie theater. It was one of the first movies I saw in a theater that I fell in love with and I think my mom would tell you I memorized every word to it, so I've been a Star Wars fan since forever,” Caplett said.

“That was the first movie I ever saw in theaters as a kid the very first movie,” said Darbyshire.

If you want to catch the movie on opening weekend and you haven't bought your tickets, may the force be with you. Showtimes throughout the city are being snatched up faster than the Millennium Falcon can fly.

“It's part of the tradition. It's building up to the excitement of the movie. You're going to have crowds. Come to a great theater like Alamo, have a drink, people watch, enjoy the costumes and enjoy the movie with your friends,” said Patrick Tuttle, another avid fan.

“I watched it as a kid. I was eight years old when it came out. My parents stood in line for several hours and I made sure that when I had my child, I would stand in line for several hours as well,” Garza-Lake said.

So what does the galaxy think after watching The Last Jedi?

“Put it up there with the top three or four, absolutely,” said Tuttle.