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The Dark Knight's Big Opening Day
Christian Bale as Batman in The Dark Knight courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
The Dark Knight, the much-buzzed-about new Batman movie — featuring an incredible final performance from Heath Ledger — has already broken box-office records on its first day in theaters.
According to Variety, Christopher Nolan's sequel to Batman Begins saw the biggest opening-day gross ever, as the Caped Crusader's latest adventure hauled in an estimated $66.4 million Friday. The previous record was held by Spider-Man 3's $59.8 million opening day in May 2007. Additionally (and logically), MovieTickets.com reports Knight gave another THWACK! to Spidey, breaking the record for most tickets sold in a single day for a single film.
The opening day got a strong start from the $18.5 million the Associated Press reported the film made from midnight screenings alone. (That feat also set a record, besting 2005's Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith, which brought in $16.9 million from the early morning crowd.)
Spider-Man 3 also owns the record for the best non-holiday opening weekend ever with $151.1 million. That's the next magic number in The Dark Knight's sights, and based on the pace it's set, the film appears poised to eclipse that mark. — Nina Hämmerling Smith with additional reporting by Adam Bryant
What do you say, Batman fans? Have you seen the movie yet? If so, when are you going to see it again? Are you planning to check it out in IMAX?
POLL: How many stars do you give Dark Knight?
Related:
• 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 18, 2008 5:07 PM
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"What do you say, Batman fans? Have you seen the movie yet? If so, when are you going to see it again? Are you planning to check it out in IMAX?"
Seeing it in approximate 5.5 hours!!!! I WISH I could see it in IMAX, but no theatres close by, durnitall. As a consolation, I'll see it again at the Uptown, in D.C.
~Sangeeta
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Jul 18, 2008 5:17 PM
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I'm not surprised that it broke records.
I saw it at Midnight in IMAX, and the 29 other regular theaters in the cineplex also showed it at Midnight and all 30 screens were sold out! Plus, the IMAX showing at 3:30 was sold out, and there were other showings at 3:30 in other theaters too. Unreal.
Here's my commentary on the movie from the TV Guide Community Forums:
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/%C3%90arclytes-Blog/Dark-Knight/800043463
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Jul 18, 2008 5:58 PM
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The Revenge of the Sith was Episode III, not II.
I figured I'd let you know before Star Wars fans started freaking out.
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Jul 18, 2008 8:46 PM
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I was one of the many midnight viewers. The movie is phenominal! Dark and disturbing yes, very much so, but an amazing story, acting characters. It was the quickest two and a half hours I think I've ever experienced. And Heath Ledger's Joker - one word: WOW!
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Jul 18, 2008 9:54 PM
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Typically people can be blinded by illogic when recognizing the abilities of actors simply because they are dead. The guilt and sympathy pains guide their reasoning causing them to recite in unison "OSCAR! OSCAR!" Heath Ledger's performance in THE DARK KNIGHT sets aside that line of thinking by showing us genuine brilliance from a sheer genius who had been taken from us. I was astounded at the range this actor portrayed. Pay attention to his lip licking performance and you may notice a few inside jokes and acts that only geniuses can insert in their work. Not only does Mr. Ledger deserve a statue for his work, we the fans (not of Ledger, but of motion picture performances) DEMAND IT! Kudos to all involved in the execution of THE DARK KNIGHT and especially to the standout performances by others such as CHRISTIAN BALE, GARY OLDMAN and AARON ECKHART. This was a thinking man's movie and thank the gods for finally giving us one. It's been way too long.
Marc B. Lee
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Jul 19, 2008 12:03 AM
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I saw it last night at the midnight showing and have already bought tickets to go see it again on Sunday. It is just an excellent movie all around. I loved every minute of it.
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Jul 19, 2008 12:07 AM
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i loved it too - saw it this afternoon. The story is deep ... not the typical comic book type movie - the action is great and all the actors are spot on.
Heath Ledger as the Joker makes the movie. He is simply amazing and breathtaking. He embodies the character in every way. The way he walks and moves ... and the way he talks - like he's tasting and savoring his words before speaking them. I forgot I was watching an actor playing a role.
I think I may need to see it again!
Oh and the makeup job done for Two Face ... out of this world.
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Jul 19, 2008 1:00 AM
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I can't believe I'm posting again but I'm astounded. Giving it one day to sink into my heart and then I'm going back tomorrow so it can sink into my soul!!!!
Great job Heath. Look down on your worshipers because they sure are looking up to you!
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Jul 19, 2008 9:11 AM
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BLOODY FRICKIN' FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
totally agree with marc1961 and molsongrrrl's assesment of Heath Ledger's portrayal.
And I was especially pleased that Nolan was true to how TF is supposed to look LIKE!!!!!!!!
One of my favorite lines is the scene between Morgan Freeman's Lucius Fox and that weenie Colton Reese, lol.
You guys know which one I'm talking about--the whole theatre roared with laughter.
I HAVE to see it again--which I will==next weekend with my friend, and again next month when I visit my other friend in NJ. BUT, I think I'll see it Monday night at the UPTOWN theatre in D.C. (closest thing to IMAX with its HUUUUGE) screen.
~Sangeeta
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Jul 19, 2008 10:35 AM
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MY GAWD I LOVE THE UPTOWN. I used to live in Baltimore (here in sunny hot Orlando for 20 years now) and saw JURASSIC PARK at a midnite showing there. Gawd I miss the North.
All these great comments reminds me of great scenes and lines. Won't spoil them here but I'm truly envious of those that write so well. Conversational film-making. Should be a law!!!
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Jul 19, 2008 10:52 AM
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My husband and I loved the movie. It was amazing but a little long. I would have loved to have seen more of Ledger and less of Eckhart in this film. I like my villains one at time, thanks. Heath Ledger deserves and Oscar for this movie when the movie ended everyone was applauding. Good for Ledger and the rest of the cast. I'm sure this will be added to our DVD collection. It rightly earned the PG13 rating with the violence so parents should be careful with their kids.
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Jul 19, 2008 12:32 PM
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This movie was Heath Ledger's period. He was riveting to watch. Brillant! Outstanding! I cannot wait to see it again. It's been a long time since a movie that clocks in at 2.5 hours has entertained & kept me at the edge of my seat as much as this did.
It just highlights what we lost when he died. But what a great role to leave as your legacy. Bravo Heath!
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Jul 19, 2008 2:07 PM
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It was great! Period. Best of the summer and its been a pretty good summer for movies.
I would have loved to have seen more of Ledger and less of Eckhart in this film. I like my villains one at time, thanks.
[POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT] The brilliant and meticulously executed corruption of Dent by the Joker is his ultimate evil act. Without taking the time to develop Dent and then see his spiral downward it is lost.
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Jul 19, 2008 3:26 PM
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Is there a scene after the credits?
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Jul 19, 2008 4:52 PM
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