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Holy Moolah, Batman! Dark Knight Sets Opening-Weekend Record
The Dark Knight courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
As predicted, Christopher Nolan's superhero/crime-drama epic The Dark Knight has set a new record for the highest opening-weekend box-office earnings in history.
According to Variety, $158.3 million was raked in by the Caped Crusader this weekend, besting Spider-Man 3's previous record-setting mark by more than $7 million. (The final tally was $3 million more than early estimates reported by Warner Bros. on Sunday.) The film's IMAX draw also outdid Spidey, earning an estimated $6.2 million to claim the best debut ever in the large-screen format. (Having seen the film in both formats, I'll tell you the IMAX experience is a remarkable upgrade.)
The earnings no doubt benefitted from the nearly unanimous glowing reviews the film received, most of which centered on the much-anticipated final performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker. Ledger's disturbing, sociopathic spin on the character has already created (deserved, in my mind) buzz of a posthumous Oscar nomination — a thought echoed by the audiences in my screenings, who cheered at his every move, as well as when Nolan's tribute to the actor appeared during the credits.
In addition to these latest records, The Dark Knight also wrote its name in the history books by earning the best midnight and first-day opening numbers ever. And with 64 percent of first-weekend viewers on Fandango.com reportedly saying they plan to see the film again, it appears the money will continue to pour in. I think it's safe to say Warner Bros. doesn't have to worry anymore — its most prized franchise is clearly revitalized and more powerful than ever. — Adam Bryant
POLL: How many stars do you give Dark Knight?
Related:
• The Dark Knight's Big Opening Day
• Read our review of The Dark Knight
• Photo Gallery: The History of the Joker
• Photo Gallery: 15 Defining Moments of the Batman Franchise
• The Dark Knight Shines Bright at World Premiere
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Jul 20, 2008 12:30 PM
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The Dark Knight was amazing. I am not surprised that it has broken so many records, Heath Ledger in his final role was just...I don't think there are words that can describe how wonderful he was. I will definitely be seeing this movie again and again!!
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Jul 20, 2008 3:24 PM
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I enjoyed the movie, but it is by no means my favorite movie.
And it's easier to break records when tickets prices keep going up.
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Jul 20, 2008 4:10 PM
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Let's hope they decide to keep the franchise alive this time and not let it go all retarded.
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Jul 20, 2008 6:26 PM
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"And it's easier to break records when tickets prices keep going up."
Nice!
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Jul 20, 2008 7:16 PM
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but so true!!!
for sure when you see numbers like that ,you go wow but seriously how many people actually saw the film? in france they only tell you how many tickets were sold not how much the film made which i always thought was less glamorous...
here where i live we pay 6.50$ a ticket , i'll always remembe rhow surprise i was to hear that americans pay up to 10$ and not counting popcorn&cie!!!
anyways ,i'm glad for the film , i havent seen it yet dont know if i will coz the 1st one with bale as batman i didnt go see coz i cant stand katie whoever cruz!! but i did see it on tv later...been a grand fan of heath i think i will go see it ,it's just i hate thinking he's dead!
the only thing though i feel bad for the lead i mean it's his film yet no one is talking about his performance or seem to care...it's all heath but what can you say there's no hating the dead!!
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Jul 20, 2008 8:01 PM
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Heath Ledger = The Joker = da BOMB!
People will watch this one over and over just for that performance -- the movie is truly alive & SEETHING when he is on the screen -- all else is excellent, but the Joker is the electricity that makes it great.
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Jul 20, 2008 9:39 PM
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The Dark Knight was amazing. One of the best films of the year. I would love to see the movie and Ledger with oscars nods but the industry seems to be prejudiced against the comic book genre and cold in acknowledging actors after their death.
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Jul 21, 2008 5:50 AM
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Christian Bale is a god!!!! Heath Ledger was positively amazing. Maggie Gyllenhaal was a big improvement over Katie Holmes. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Eric Roberts--all excellent. It was good to see some of my favorites in small roles, especially Nestor Carbonell (the ageless Richard Alpert on Lost) as Gotham City's mayor and Keith Szarabajka (Holtz on Angel & Jamie's ex-husband on Law & Order) as a cop. I agree with Bale--if they try to bring on Robin, he'll tie himself to a pole & refuse to take part! But I wouldn't mind seeing Catwoman--if it's cast properly. Perhaps Lost's Evangeline Lilly?
Adam West & Julie Newmar were on Fox News talking about Batman. I think there's never been a Catwoman to compare with her--sorry Eartha Kitt, Lee Meriwether, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Halle Berry.
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Jul 21, 2008 9:21 AM
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OMG!!!! I FREAKING LOVED THIS MOVIE!!! Christian Bale is THE PERFECT Batman. He is insanely hot. Heath Ledger's performance as Joker was INCREDIBLE! He portrayed Joker as a pyschotic villian who only takes pleasure in destorying everyone elses pleasure and happiness.
I saw The Dark Knight on Friday on a regular screen because the IMAX in Portage was sold out but it was still awesome. I'm totally gonna see it on IMAX and again on a regular screen. Oh! and I was totally stoked that it was filmed in Chicago (I live an hour from there)because I recognized most of the places- the Chicago River, the El, some of the streets, and some of the buildings. YAY!
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Jul 21, 2008 11:18 AM
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christopherm said: "Let's hope they decide to keep the franchise alive this time and not let it go all retarded."
AMEN TO THAT!
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Jul 21, 2008 11:29 AM
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Ohh, it was WAYYY TOOO Long and it was hard to hear what they were saying by the end...the music was so loud I could hardly hear what they were saying. I was expecting it to be so much better than it was. Cut off about 45 minutes and I probably would have enjoyed it more. I did love Heath's little ticks w/ his tongue-that made me laugh every time he did it. I thought it was more on the funny side than dark and mysterious!!
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Jul 21, 2008 11:59 AM
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I loved it so much, if they had given me 5 minutes to run to the bathroom, I would have sat through it again! And I hardly ever watch a movie twice. Christian Bale is so captivating.
I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I don't think it was all about the Joker either. The whole cast was awesome!! They were a seamless unit and they all worked together with such great chemistry. The action was amazing, the plot was well thought out, and the twists were exceedingly twisty.
oh and another great bit part by a well known: Anthony Michael Hall, Reporter 
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Jul 21, 2008 12:22 PM
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I've been waiting for 3 YEARS for this movie--ever since the last scene in Batman Begins when the next villain leaves his calling card: that of the Joker.
I've got three words for The Dark Knight: BLOODY FREAKIN' FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not one to take chances, I bought my ticket 2 or 3 weeks in advance for opening night(10:30 p.m. show). Went to the theatre two and a half hours early, mainly because I wanted to get parking and get in line EARLY. Lucked out with the parking; No line, so I sat my butt down and read At about an hour before showtime, I went and got my munchies and yep, there was a line, but I was like 10th or 11th. Which means I got GREAT seats.
Not a huge Ledger fan, only saw a couple of his movies and had my doubts when I first heard he was going to take on Joker. By the time I saw the early previews, I'd changed my mind.
That being said, Heath Ledger BLEW ME AWAY!!! THIS is THE JOKER, this sociopathic, murderous psychotic.
Great casting, so glad they ditched Katie Holmes.
So many funny lines, so many memorable lines and Harvey Dent's transformation was a brilliant homage to Bruce Timm.
I've read where some people thought this movie was too long. Whatever. Never has 2.5 hours gone by so fast for me. This movie had me on the edge of my seat and so engrossed, I forgot all about the nachos and Icee I had bought.
I cannot say enough good things about this movie.
~Sangeeta
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Jul 21, 2008 12:38 PM
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Hands down the best movie of the year so far -- for a superhero flick, it is so weighty and intelligent, it haunts you for days after, as opposed to the light fare we're used to in big blockbuster films. The film was flawed, but it was so epic that it was hard to not miss a few beats here and there, simply because of how ambitious it was trying to be.
Heath was by far the best part, but everything else was great too. Top notch cast, excellent action, cinematography, music, suspense. Heath's performance may have been one of the best I've ever seen, and one of the best villains I've certainly seen. He should not only get the nod, but a win, imo. His performance was even more chilling than Javier Bardem, who won last year in a similar showy, sociopathic role.
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Jul 21, 2008 1:05 PM
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