[KHTS] – Dozens of Santa Claritans lined up early Thursday morning to see the newest installment of the global movie phenomenon “Star Wars”.

Sub-titled “The Force Awakens”, the new film had fans lining up as early as 5 a.m. to be the first in line to see latest adventure from a galaxy far far away.

The movie’s official release date is Friday Dec. 18, but the Edwards Theatre’s Stadium in Valencia,  as well as many other theaters across the nation , are having a special preview night Thursday.

The first showings for the Valencia theatre start at 7 p.m Thursday and continue until 5:15 a.m Friday across three different formats. Some showings have been sold out for several weeks, a manager with the theatre said.

Many of those who lined up in the morning have been “die-hard” fans of the series since the original “Star Wars” debuted almost 40 years ago, moviegoers said.

“(We’ve been waiting) since 1977 — 38 years,” said Peter and Devin Franchino, a father and son who got in line at the Valencia theatre at 6 a.m. Thursday. “I’m a charter member of the (official) Star Wars Fan Club,” Peter Franchino added.

At the front of the line, numerous people were watching the original films on a full-sized television set. They had initially planned on watching the movies on a laptop they brought with them before other fans decided to help.

“(They) were watching it on a little computer for a while and that went no where,” Franchino said. “So Devin went home and got a television. Merry Christmas.”

Many of the people in line had formed a circle around the TV to watch “The Empire Strikes Back,” as well as the other episodes of the series.

Next to the TV were a few pieces of classic Star Wars memorabilia, such as a replica Darth Vader helmet and lightsaber, plus a full-size cutout of the Dark Lord of the Sith himself.

The fans that brought the former films wore costumes for the preview night as well, dressed as Jedi Council members Master Yoda and Master Ki Adi Mundi, complete with lightsabers the two sparred with.

For some moviegoers, the love they have for the series is rooted deeply with their family.

“Three generations now, our grandson will be here as soon as he gets out of school today, and our granddaughter,” Franchino said. “The rest of the family will be here later tonight. They’re wimps — they don’t camp out like we’re doing.”

Lining up early and being around people who share their love of the series is just as good as the movie, the Franchinos said.

When the very first movie came out, Franchino said he described the scene when Darth Vader walked on Princess Leia’s ship as “the best piece of imagination we have seen in a whole lot of years.”

“I thought that was just so much fun,” Franchino added. “That has caused me to follow it ever since.”

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” takes place more than 30 years after the events of “Return of the Jedi,” and features both new and returning characters.

The new movie was directed by J.J. Abrams, director of the last two “Star Trek” movies, and co-written by Abrams, Michael Arndt and Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote episode five.