'New Moon' poised for biggest box office day ever [Updated]
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is poised to break its second box office record in a single day.
According to four people who have closely watched ticket sales data today but requested anonymity because they are not authorized to release the information, the teen vampire phenomenon is all but certain to gross more than $67.2 million, the record set by "The Dark Knight" last year for the biggest single-day take at the box office.
By 5 p.m., the movie had already sold more than $50 million worth of tickets in the U.S. and Canada. When evening shows are included, the total will likely be more than $70 million, the people said.
Given the huge amount of pent-up interest among fans, who are rushing out to theaters on opening day, ticket sales are expected to drop significantly on Saturday and Sunday. Nonetheless, a total weekend gross of more than $110 million is all but certain and more than $120 million is very possible. That would give "New Moon" the biggest weekend gross for any movie this year and make it one of the top five pictures of all time at the domestic box office, not accounting for ticket price inflation.
Ticket sales from the 25 foreign countries where "New Moon" is opening this weekend will almost certainly push the worldwide weekend gross to more than $150 million.
Summit Entertainment, the studio behind the "Twilight" films, will release an official total for Friday ticket sales on Saturday morning.
Update (Nov. 21, 8:50 AM): Summit reports that "New Moon" grossed $72.7 million on Friday, easily breaking the single day sales record set by "The Dark Knight." It will now likely collect more than $120 million through Sunday.
Inspirational drama "The Blind Side," starring Sandra Bullock, sold $10.9 million worth of tickets in the U.S. and Canada on Friday, setting it up to be no. 2 for the weekend with an impressive $30 million-plus.
-- Ben Fritz
Related:
Fans scream with delight for "Twilight: New Moon"
Photo: Moviegoers wait to see "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" at the AMC movie theater at the Westfield Century City shopping mall in Los Angeles Thursday night. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press.
the sad thing is that this movie sucks like crap. no where close to being as good as the dark knight. its a shame and a sham that its going to be the dark knight's record. well, we can always hope the harry potter 7 beats it, right?
Posted by: christine | November 20, 2009 at 09:45 PM
Change that to "pent-up interest among FAN GIRLS AND GROUPIES" and then your report will be accurate.
Posted by: tryanhas09 | November 20, 2009 at 10:09 PM
This move just goes to show how intense marketing of a pile crap can come out polished like a golden turd. I would rather watch paint peel of the wall than watch this atrophy. We are going to have to ordeal the rest of these movies just like we had to endure American Idol and pop music.
Posted by: Olive Bigok | November 20, 2009 at 10:19 PM
pathetic... what ppl argue about... seriously?
Posted by: bite me | November 21, 2009 at 12:02 AM
cant wait to see how much it makes. hope it beats the dark knight. seen it in the theater n hated it. go twilight wolf pack. um
Posted by: linda | November 21, 2009 at 12:22 AM
I can't wait for new moon to come out!!!
I've been watching some of the fan made trailers, and they are really good, but does any one know when the real trailer will be released for the movie?
Posted by: Colopure | November 21, 2009 at 01:10 AM
Hahahahaha....
Wow, I love Twilight.. I'll buy all collections..
I have Twilight and New moon..
Posted by: Cornelius | November 21, 2009 at 06:56 AM
I wonder how many people will go see it again in theaters. I have friends who went and saw twilight about 5 times in theaters. I'm not that rabid but some fangirls are.
Posted by: Dixie | November 21, 2009 at 07:05 AM
New moon was a number one priority fore mee dopest moviee everr i swear June tenth= eclipse
Posted by: Romannn | November 21, 2009 at 05:23 PM
It followed the book well. The acting was like it was in Twilight(So... not so good). Special effects were well done. Greatest movie ever; NO, but I will buy the DVD for my collection to match my books when it is out.
Posted by: Gloria | November 22, 2009 at 08:42 AM
you lot sound so childish. why dont you all grow up :) im 14 and don't comment bad things about films etc. it's all people seem to do these days, why don't you all go get lifes and do some more productive than bitch all the time!!!
Posted by: abi | December 02, 2009 at 03:58 AM
oh yeah i dont even live in america, i live in the united kingdom... and im kinda glad i don't live there cos all you lot seem to do is bitch about EVERYTHING. please grow up!!!
Posted by: abi | December 02, 2009 at 03:59 AM