The Force Is Strong With Star Wars Fans Waiting For Premiere

WHITE MARSH, Md. (WJZ) -- It's finally here. The most highly anticipated movie of the year, Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.

Excitement is at an all-time high, as Marylanders from all over are dressing up for the occasion.

Rick Ritter spent the night with fans who have been waiting for the premiere.

We've seen a bit of everything Thursday night--all sorts of costumes and face painting. Some people bought their tickets months in advance; others spent hours in line just to make sure they got a good spot inside.

For many Star Wars fans, they think Episode VII could be the best yet.

From the costumes to tattoos to hair just like Princess Leia, it's the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

"It's totally worth it because it's probably the most attention I got all year," said Tiffany Johnson.

An opening day like no other.

"I want to meet the new characters, the new people coming in," said Bruce Stevens.

Long lines stretched out of theaters across the Baltimore area. Ricky White from Dundalk got his tickets back in October.

"I'm excited to see the story continue. I've been waiting a long time since Return of the Jedi," said White.

Episode VII stumps all for Tiffany Johnson.

"My son has a music concert going on, and we felt like this was more important," said Tiffany Johnson.

Some fans purchased tickets for a 20-hour Star Wars marathon at the AMC theater in White Marsh.

"We got here at 11:30 to get good seats [Wednesday] night," said Dave Ingle.

Dave Ingle and Bruce Stevens aren't worried about sleep.

"We're the two oldest in the theater, and we're the ones still awake. Everybody else is falling asleep," said Stevens.

The lightsabers are good to go, as the Force lives on.

"This is my Christmas. Everybody's counting down," said White.

Goldman Sachs expects the movie to make more than $2 billion in the international market alone.