SHANGHAI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Force has truly awoken in China, with the latest installment of the "Star Wars" franchise earning 342 million yuan (52 million U.S. dollars) at the box office on its opening weekend.

Chinese cinemas dedicated half their screens to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" when it debuted on Saturday, according to the Walt Disney Company China.

The film premiered in the United States in December. It is currently number one in North America's box office for the fourth straight week, on track to take 41.6 million U.S. dollars in ticket sales in the United States and Canada this weekend.

One of the most influential film series in history, the Star Wars films have lured huge audiences around the world since the first installment in 1977.

"I think the latest film really gripped people's imagination with the universe it presented," said a Chinese fan in Shanghai. "The fight scenes in 3D are quite amazing."

While the latest installment is breaking records, another Star Wars film is already in the making, with Chinese actors Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen in the cast. It is expected to hit big screens in late 2016.