Screenings of the latest Star Wars movie have been selling out at Speciality Cinema for the past week, mirroring the stellar business the theatre enjoyed a year ago when it showed Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Since opening last Thursday, screenings of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story have been sell-outs at the cinema in Hamilton.

“Even though it’s not the sequel to last year’s film, it is doing very well and we have been pleasantly surprised,” said Giovanna Easton, co-owner of the cinema.

“All weekend, every show was sold out. I’m hoping it is going to be as busy as last year. We have the film for five weeks.”

The popularity of the Star Wars franchise is showing no sign of dwindling. Rogue One took almost $300 million globally at the box office during its opening weekend, and in North America was the second-biggest December release in history.

The film stars Felicity Jones and is a stand-alone story, separate from the main Star Wars saga. However, the events portrayed in the movie lead up to the starting point of the original Star Wars film, released in 1977.

Speciality Cinema held a special event premiere last Thursday, with many fans in the audience dressing up in Star Wars costumes.

Memorabilia connected with the film, including tin popcorn buckets, is on sale at the cinema on Church Street.

Many of the showings are in 3D, although there are regular showings for those who prefer not to wear 3D glasses.

In a change from past years, the cinema will open on New Year’s Day to give an additional entertainment option for residents, particularly families.

Yesterday, Speciality Cinema also started screening Sing, an animated movie that is expected to be a big hit with younger audiences. Both Sing and Rogue One will be shown throughout the holiday period.

The Star Wars buzz is set to continue in December 2017 when the eighth episode in the main series is scheduled to be released. Beyond that, a further three Star Wars films, two of which will be stand-alone stories, are planned.