Jediism

Probably the strongest argument to show just how big a phenomenon Star Wars is and how big a fan base it has is by the fact it has it's very own religion. Jediism is currently the 7th biggest religion in the UK. In the book Whose Film Is It, Anyway? Canonicity and Authority in Star Wars Fandom by John C. Lyden he talks about how strong a fandom Star Wars has and goes on to talk about the creation of a religion:

"If there is any popular culture phenomenon that can be referred to as "religion," it would be the fandom associated with the Star Wars films. In the 2001 census in many English-speaking countries a number of people identified their religion as "Jediism" including 70,000 in Australia, 21,000 in Canada, 53,000 in New Zealand and 390,127 in England and Wales ("Jedi Census" 2012). This may well have been a joke (Emery 2001), but it is also clear that at least some of those who support this movement take it seriously, such as the online Jedi Church ("Jedi Church" 2012). More significant, perhaps, is the number of fan activities related to Star Wars which might express some of the "markers" of a religion, such as communal identity, a system of beliefs and values, myths and ritual practices."

Lyden, John C. Journal of the American Academy of Religion. Sep2012, Vol. 80 Issue 3, p775-786

 Here is some further reading on Jediism:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_census_phenomenon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jediism