It’s one of the most anticipated movies of the year.

Hundreds of New Jersey residents gathered at movie theaters across the state Thursday for the premiere of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”

Many “Star Wars” fans tell News 12 New Jersey that they weren’t going to let the cold weather stop them from attending the premiere. Many of them brought their tickets months ago.

“I had all the alerts, Fandango alerts, when the tickets went on sale and I got it immediately,” says Star Wars super fan Eric Walker.

“The Last Jedi,” the latest movie in the decades-spanning franchise, picks up where 2015’s “The Force Awakens” left off – with new protagonist Rey reaching the plant on which Luke Skywalker has been holed up to escape from the war waging between the First Order and the Resistance.

Fans say that they are looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

“If Rey turns to the Dark Side or like, what’s [Supreme Leader] Snoke’s identity,” says fan Anthony Gonzalez.

Gonzalez says that the beloved franchise brings families together.

“My dad got me into it and we just have such a bond over it,” he says. “I love it. It just brings so much happiness to people.”

“The Last Jedi” is projected to have an opening weekend of $200,000 million. This latest installment also marks the late Carrie Fisher's final appearance in the franchise. She passed away earlier this year. Her beloved French bulldog Gary Fisher makes a cameo in the movie.