They stood quietly at the entrance to Concord Mall Cinemas to see the 12:05 a.m. premier of ‘‘Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.’’

Cinema Assistant Manager Scott Tucker wasn’t surprised. For weeks, he’s been getting calls about the movie. He even had customers buy movie tickets, watch the ‘‘Star Wars’’ preview and leave.

‘‘Six dollars for a ticket to a movie preview,’’ employee Cameron Pozyck, 18, of China Grove said in disbelief.

As near as Tucker could tell, more than 180 people came out to see the special, early-morning movie, the first new installment in the ‘‘Star Wars’’ series in 16 years.

The theater seats 360, but Tucker wasn’t disappointed for a movie that didn’t get out until around 2:30 a.m.

But what is it about ‘‘Star Wars’’ that makes fans willing to give up sleep?

‘‘The nostalgia,’’ explained Amy Smith, 35, of Concord. ‘‘I stood in line when I was a child to see the first three movies, and I’m real excited about this, because it’s been 20 some odd years since ‘Star Wars’ came out originally.’’

Smith even took time off from work for this special event. But not without making sure everything was all clear first.

‘‘I took off for this, but I did ask well in advance, so I’m not putting anybody out by taking the day off. I worked three weeks straight without a day off so I deserved it,’’ she laughed.

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