BUTLER TWP — When “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” hit theaters Thursday night, it attracted three generations of fans, all hoping to be wowed.

“When I first saw the movies, I remember thanking George Lucas so much. I said 'Thank you, thank you, thank you, George Lucas,'” said Saxon Stoner, 11, of Chicora.

Saxon went to see the new movie Thursday at Regal Moraine Pointe Cinema with his parents and brother Sutton, 7.

He said before the movie that he and his brother were most excited for the battle scenes, but he was unsure how it would compare to the previous installments.

“I think it will be different, but in a good way. It's not made by Lucas Films; it's made by Disney, but it's still 'Star Wars,'” he said.

The full release of “The Force Awakens” is today, but theaters had preview screenings Thursday night.

It is the seventh installment in the series and is the first to be directed by someone other than George Lucas, with J.J. Abrams getting the job.

It takes place 30 years after the events of 1983's “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.”

The synopsis released by the studio reads: “Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat rises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of Heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.”

The cast includes Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher reprising their roles from the original trilogy. They are joined by newcomers Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac.

“I went to see the original 'Star Wars' five times,” said George McDowell of Slippery Rock, who went to see the new movie with his son Forrest McDowell.

“You would find something else, something different each time. The special effects were really ahead of their time,” he said.

Forrest McDowell said he enjoys all the 'Star Wars' movies and thinks the newer ones will only continue to create fans and build the franchise's popularity.

“The prequels had mixed reviews and mixed popularity, but they probably opened up 'Star Wars' to a lot of people, like to my generation for instance,” he said.

George McDowell said he was trying to go into the film with no expectations.

“But I'm pretty sure I'm going to say 'wow' when it's over,” he said.

Connor Scott, 13, and Zane Scott, 10, of Slippery Rock were having a light-saber duel outside the theater while they waited to go in.

Connor said he prefers the original trilogy to the more recent prequel trilogy, but was excited about the new one.

“I hope it's good, better than episodes I, II and III,” he said.

He said they also have the new “Star Wars Battlefront” video game at home and have been fans of the series for as long as he can remember.

“I really like sci-fi in general, and I think 'Star Wars' first got me into that genre,” he said.

At the Cranberry Cinemas in Cranberry Township, a line started forming near the entrance about 6 p.m., which was well before the 7:30 p.m. showing.

But moviegoers were allowed to take their seats to eliminate the problem of having lines backed up to the doors.

At the Cranberry Cinemas, 4-year old Asa Anderson from Butler sported a “Star Wars” shirt featuring Kylo Ren, his favorite character.

“He's cool,” Asa said.

When asked if he had joined the “dark side” of The Force, Asa denied it.

Cranberry resident Al McLaughlin took his two children, M.J. and Liam, to see the movie.

“I was taken to see the movies when I was a kid with my dad. Taking them over 30 years later on a school night to see the movie is kind of cool,” McLaughlin said.

M.J. McLaughlin said, “A New Hope” is her favorite “Star Wars” film and Han Solo is her favorite character.

“It's been a long time since he's starred in the movies,” M.J. said about Harrison Ford, who stars in the series as Solo. “I'm excited to see him.”

The McLaughlins bought their tickets about one and a half months ago.

While domestic box-office returns won't be available until later today, the Walt Disney Co. said Thursday the film debuted with $14.1 million from its first screenings in 12 international markets.

More than $100 million in tickets have been presold in North America.

“Jurassic World,” released earlier this year, holds the record for opening weekend box office gross with $208.8 million.

The “Star Wars” series began in 1977 with the release of “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.”

The films have grossed about $4.4 billion worldwide.

The original trilogy was released between 1977 and 1983 while a prequel trilogy was released between 1999 and 2005.

Walt Disney Studios plans two more films tentatively scheduled for release in 2017 and 2019.

Eagle staff writer Amerigo Allegretto and the Associated Press contributed to this report.