Star Wars: The Force Awakens (also known as Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens[1]) is a 2015 American epic space opera film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. The sequel to Return of the Jedi (1983),[2] it is the seventh film in the "Skywalker Saga".[3][4] Set thirty years after Return of the Jedi,[5] The Force Awakens follows Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and Han Solo's search for Luke Skywalker and their fight in the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa and veterans of the Rebel Alliance, against Kylo Ren and the First Order,[2][6] a successor to the Galactic Empire.[7] The ensemble cast includes Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow.[2]
 Composer John Williams received multiple accolades for his work in the film. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Wins | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nominations | 104 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on December 14, 2015,[8] and was released in the United States on December 18.[9] Produced on a budget of $447 million,[10] The Force Awakens grossed $2.071 billion worldwide,[1] breaking numerous box office records,[11] and finishing its theatrical run as the highest-grossing film of 2015 and the third-highest-grossing film of all time.[12][13] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 93% based on 453 reviews.[14]
Star Wars: The Force Awakens garnered awards and nominations in various categories with particular recognition for its visual effects, musical score, and sound effects. It garnered five nominations at the 88th Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects. At the 69th British Academy Film Awards, the film was nominated for Best Original Music, Best Sound, and Best Production Design; and won Best Special Visual Effects. The film received a nomination for Best Picture at the 21st Critics' Choice Awards. In 2016, composer John Williams won Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media at the Grammy Awards' 59th ceremony. It won eight of fifteen nominations at the 42nd Saturn Awards. In addition, the American Film Institute selected The Force Awakens as one of the top-ten films of 2015.
