The seventh installment in the widely popular "Star Wars" franchise opened to long lines of excited fans Thursday.

Moviegoers crowded the United Artists theater on Court Street in Downtown Brooklyn early to catch "The Force Awakens." 

The first person in line said he arrived around 12:30 p.m. in order to catch the 7 p.m. premiere. 

It's been 10 years since the release of "Revenge of the Sith," which was the sixth and most recent film released in the franchise, but the third in episodic order.

Other die-hard fans said they were again as excited as they were in 1983 for the release of "The Return of the Jedi," the epic conclusion of the original trilogy, which consisted of episodes four through six.

Some fans said the film's battles between light and dark have made deep impressions in their lives.

Many said they've been fans for most of, if not their entire lives.