'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' makes it to AFI best films list even before releaseLos Angeles, Dec 17(AZINS) Star Wars: The Force Awakens is already a big hit with US critics - it has made the American Film Institute's annual list of movies of the year a full day before its release.

The highly-anticipated new installment of the blockbuster sci-fi franchise had its world premiere on Monday (December 14) and doesn't hit cinemas until Friday, but the jury of AFI members, scholars, artists and critics have named the movie among the best of 2015, The Hollywood Reporter.

The new Star Wars film has already received rave reviews and has broken records in advance ticket sales in the US, with more than $100 million for its opening weekend.

The previous record holder was Batman film The Dark Knight in 2012, which raked in $25 million prior to its release.

The other AFI best film honourees include acclaimed movies Spotlight, Mad Max: Fury Road, Carol, The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, Inside Out, The Martian, Room, and Straight Outta Compton.

The AFI list often mirrors the Academy Awards Best Picture nominations, which will be announced on January 14.

Officials also selected 10 TV shows for its top 2015 picks with returning favourites The Americans, Fargo, Game of Thrones, and Homeland. The rest of the list is comprised of new series Better Call Saul, Black-ish, Empire, Master of None, Mr Robot, and UnReal.

Matthew Weiner, the creator of Emmy-winning series Mad Men, which ended its seven-season run earlier this year (15), will receive the AFI Special Award during a luncheon on January 8 in Los Angeles.