Fans of the series queued outside Australia Cinemas yesterday morning for the first sessions of the film, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, released nationally this week.

A preview session of the film screened to a sold-out audience on Wednesday night.

The first session yesterday morning was close to capacity and Australia Cinemas staff said they were expecting big crowds on the weekend.

“‘We’ve got a few booked-out sessions,” junior manager Jeremy Mason said.

“It will be very similar to Harry Potter.”

Orange residents Louella and Rebecca Matthews queued for tickets to yesterday morning’s session.

“We can’t wait to see it,” they said.

“We’ve watched the preview about 20 times.”

The sisters said the central character Bella was the main drawcard of the film, rather than leading man Robert Pattinson.

“I like how she can be rebellious and yet sensible at the same time,” Louella said.

A group of year 10 students from Canowindra High School also attended the screening as part of a school excursion.

Student Emily Bermingham said she enjoyed the first film so much she had to see the second straight away.

“It was so exciting, I had to come see it,” she said.

“We’re here for the guys mostly.”