‘Dark Knight’ Has the Biggest Opening of All Time

Published by Jeff Leins on July 20, 2008

The Dark Knight earned an estimated $155.3 million over the weekend to set the new record for best 3-day opening of all time. It beat out previous record holder Spider-Man 3’s $151.1 million.

The final (finished) performance of Heath Ledger, the quality and success of Batman Begins, 94% positive reviews, and a wide-spread viral marketing campaign all contributed to a perfect storm of anticipation. The total margin of victory turned out to be the IMAX factor. The roughly $4 million difference showed up in the biggest IMAX opening of all time, with a record 94 six-story tall screens playing the movie.

In sixth place already for the year, the sequel made more in three days than all but five other 2008 titles made total. Take that Sex and the City.

But the opening weekend record isn’t the only one Batman broke in the past three days. Here’s a list of a few more:

• Biggest Single Day/Friday – $66.4 million in one day (Previously held by Spider-Man 3 with $59.8 million)
• Biggest Midnight Opening – $18.5 million (Previously held by Star Wars: Episode III with $16.9 mil)
• Widest release ever – 4,366 theaters (Previously held by Pirates 3 with 4,362 theaters)
• Biggest IMAX Opening – $6.2 million (Previously held by Spidey 3 with $4.7 mil)
• Widest IMAX Opening – 94 theaters
• Presale tickets – 2nd for Fandango.com and 4th for Movietickets.com
• Best non-holiday weekend overall – $250 million (Previously held by July 7, 2006 with $218.4 mil from Pirates 2 and friends)

With the opening weekend record out of the way, Batman is setting his sights on becoming the highest grossing movie of the year, currently held by Iron Man and followed closely by Indiana Jones 4. “I don’t know how high it can go, but it’s high,” says Dan Fellman, distribution chief for Warner Bros., which released Knight. “It’s rare you see a movie hit on all cylinders, with critics and the public, like this.”

Another opener, Mamma Mia!, also had a successful weekend, earning $27.6 million. The weekend estimate is over expert expectations and last year’s smash musical hit Hairspray. It set the record for biggest opening weekend for a musical. This is extra impressive considering the music was done by ABBA…

Hellboy II suffered in its second weekend, sapped of its comic book audience for bigger and better things. It made only $10 million, a massive 70% drop from its #1 debut a week ago. It’s the largest ever drop for a movie that opened over $20+ million (it made $34.5 mil last week) and the biggest fall from the top since Doom in 2005. I don’t mean to nitpick, but Universal should have considered moving their release date.

As predicted, the other big bow, Space Chimps, finished out of the top five in 7th with just $7.4 million.

1. The Dark Knight $155.3 million
2. Mamma Mia! $27.6 million
3. Hancock $14 million
4. Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D $11.9 million
5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army $10 million
6. Wall-E $9.8 million
7. Space Chimps $7.4 million
8. Wanted $5.1 million
9. Get Smart $4.1 million
10. Kung Fu Panda $1.8 million