Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
'Dark Knight' Sets Opening Weekend Box Office Record
Share: 
by Jarrett Martineau | July 21, 2008 at 12:12 pm
2404 views | 2 Recommendations | 24 comments
Videos
Photos
"The Dark Knight", the latest film in the hugely successful Batman franchise has set a new record for the best-ever opening weekend box office draw, earning more than $155 million.
Having seen the film last Friday night, I was struck not only by the powerfully twisted performance of Heath Ledger, but also by the morbidly macabre allure of it containing his final recorded performance before his death.
Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" is a far cry from the 1995 comic-book ridiculousness of Val Kilmer's Batman, Chris O'Donnell's Robin, and Jim Carrey's Riddler.
This film is a psychological thriller that draws more from Alfred Hitchcock than from Bob Kane, Batman's creator; it is claustrophic, unnerving, violent, and devastating.
Although "The Dark Knight" is being heralded for its film noir aesthetic, its excellent cast, and the riveting madness of Ledger's Joker, I was amazed to see just how dark the series has become.
If film is, in part, able to offer an artistic commentary on our current cultural norms, politics, and values, "The Dark Knight" begs an interesting question about what parts of us this disturbing portrayal of psychotic supervillains and frenetic anti-heroes reflects. And I, for one, founds its reflected images deeply disturbing. How dark have we become?
YOUR TAKE: Have you seen the film? What did you think? Is "The Dark Knight" the best superhero movie ever made?
A Warner Bros. executive says the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" has taken in $155.34 million to top "Spider-Man 3" for best opening weekend ever at the box office.The figures released Sunday show "The Dark Knight" more than $4 million ahead of the $151.1 million first weekend for "Spider-Man 3" in May 2007.
Studio distribution chief Dan Fellman says "The Dark Knight" also broke the "Spider-Man 3" record for best debut in IMAX large-screen theaters with $6.2 million. "Spider-Man 3" opened with $4.7 million in IMAX cinemas.
Stoked by fan fever over the manic performance of the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, "The Dark Knight" also set a one-day box office record with $66.4 million on opening day, Fellman said Saturday.
The movie's Friday haul surpassed the previous record of $59.8 million set last year by "Spider-Man 3." iReport.com: Did you see 'Dark Knight'?
"The Dark Knight" began with a record $18.5 million from midnight screenings, topping the previous high of $16.9 million for "Star Wars: Episode III -- The Revenge of the Sith."
The opening day grosses for "The Dark Knight" far exceeded the full weekend haul of its predecessor, "Batman Begins," which took in $48.7 million in its first three days in 2005.
Reviews were excellent for director Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins," but they were stellar for his "Dark Knight."
"We've really never seen anything like this," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers. "The death of a fine actor taken in his prime, a legendary performance and a movie that lives up to all the hype. That all combined to create these record-breaking numbers."
Advertisement
NowPublic on Facebook
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Crowd Power
HybridRainStorm
Miami, Florida, United States
esther17
Sierra Vista, Arizona, United States
boxbabe86
Lancaster, California, United Statesprincessbren
Plympton, AustraliaBlack suit spidey
Westmont, Illinois, United Statesjamesfleeting
Wichita Falls, Texas, United States0neinchpunch
los angeles, California, United Statesbredgur
Santa Clarita, California, United StatesIlluminated
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
gdcgraphics
London, Ontario, Canada
DeaconBlade
Duncanville, Texas, United States
rpshen
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
jasoninhollywood
West Hollywood, California, United States
idiart
New York, New York, United StatesShana Marie
Los Angeles, California, United States
Mick Muise
North Attleboro, Massachusetts, United States
Discoe
Kendallville, Indiana, United Statesdaleonsouth
Waterloo, Iowa, United Statespcheng7783
CanadaJPOG
Alpharetta, Georgia, United StatesTHE Tech Scoop
Roseville, California, United Statesdanielástica
ChileBatStuff
Frisco, Texas, United StatesVorago Joe
New York, New York, United Statesbreathe in
Kyle, Texas, United StatesIan cotta
BrazilBrendan Loy
Knoxville, Tennessee, United Statescateface
South Pasadena, California, United StatesDarkLadyAthena1
El Paso, Texas, United Statesagentman
Hong KongMattMcg
Levittown, New York, United Statesbronwynlewis
Los Angeles, California, United Statesorlandolover8904
Indian Trail, North Carolina, United Statesdensitychica
Jacksonville, Florida, United StatesFMandG Photography
Hialeah, Florida, United Statesabsolia
Huntington Beach, California, United StatesSamad
Denmarkquintanomedia
South Hackensack, New Jersey, United StatesK McNeil
Denmarksammiejoe
Pearsall, Texas, United StatesBolla.
Culver City, California, United Stateshalfpast
Dallas, Texas, United Statesms.telephone
Hong KongJessicaWu
TaiwanThe Joker
Mexicowishmewell95
West Covina, California, United Statestaomaster123
Topeka, Kansas, United Statesthenatural
Las Vegas, Nevada, United Statessketcher67
Downey, California, United Statesjjhsu
Taiwan
blaguid
Denver, North Carolina, United StatesTech Artist
Gurnee, Illinois, United Statesrobert_pozdol
Orland Park, Illinois, United Statestimmyblog
Chicago, Illinois, United Statessaraoat
Thailandakatsuki_220387
Indonesia
peterpunker
México DF, Mexicopix.L
Belgiumpictureboy08
New York, New York, United States
beside
Toronto, Ontario, Canadaphillip24fan
West Sacramento, California, United States
hero-haven
Detroit, Michigan, United StatesPopcorn N Soda
Binghamton, New York, United Statesadambullied
CanadaGABRIELOKS
Los Angeles, California, United Statesnat choo
Singaporeestebee
Chile
Rag Muffin
Alexandria, Virginia, United StatesDJFFNY
Bell, California, United States
killer_colossus
Phelps, Kentucky, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (24)
at 12:42 on July 21st, 2008
I just saw this movie on Saturday. The line-up was insane! It was well worth it though. The movie was amazing. I loved Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker. The overall theme in the movie was great and I love the twist on it. Highly recommended!
at 15:38 on July 21st, 2008
Ian cotta has contributed a photo to this story.
at 16:06 on July 21st, 2008
These are costumes for Batman and the Joker, including a few goon clown masks. The pictures were taken at the Arclight Hollywood on the night of the release of "The Dark Knight". It was awesome and everyone was completely excited!
cateface has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:04 on July 21st, 2008
This picture was taken at the Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood. This is the actual batman suit that Christian Bale wore for filming of "The Dark Knight".
MattMcg has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:25 on July 21st, 2008
hey! well i liked this gif :)
sammiejoe has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:32 on July 21st, 2008
This amazing 1/6th scale Batman (in his Original Costume) figure was manufactured by Hot Toys and is for sale in Hong Kong and Japan only. It is the best batman figure available and I'm glad to have it :)
agentman has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:43 on July 21st, 2008
My photo is of the Batman costume on display at the ArcLight in Hollywood on opening weekend.
The movie was amazing, and I actually saw it a second time at the ArcLight the next day.
bronwynlewis has contributed a photo to this story.
at 18:40 on July 21st, 2008
I went to night theater on the first day it aired, I expected to see a fair deal to the franchise. I was blown away! Literally the movie and it's characters are great! You do not get bored, or tired, or even yawn as you see each scen is adrenaline packed more than the previous one.
I was surprised by the great acting of Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart, in my good sense it is they, and not the Bruce Wayne character or the actor who plays him (Bale); who clearly won the role they were playing as well as giving the movie the greatest respect ever to go down in history like the greatest action packed, drama and suspense movie of all Batman saga and of 2008.
Aaron Eckheat's transformation as the white knight to the villain we all come to fear and sometimes love in the comics, here on screen he blew as away, charming, good, and yet bad with a dark side that won the respect of all the audience.
Heath Ledger rest in peace, for had he lived I would have no doubt he would be on his road for the oscar for the lead, and Aaron Eckhart for best supporting role.
AthenaGoodRosa has contributed a photo to this story.
at 18:49 on July 21st, 2008
The joker the best enemie ever created
The Joker has contributed a photo to this story.
at 20:16 on July 21st, 2008
Dark Knigth Premier Invitation ( Mexico)
peterpunker has contributed a photo to this story.
at 20:29 on July 21st, 2008
Jarrett Martineau, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 21:24 on July 21st, 2008
I have yet to see the movie, but a week before its release they showed the public what to expect by parading the real vehicles around on the streets of downtown Toronto.
beside has contributed a photo to this story.
at 21:54 on July 21st, 2008
Heath Ledgers Joker outfit on display at the Arclight theater in Hollywood, CA.
sketcher67 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 00:40 on July 22nd, 2008
hope you like the photo of the joker, Heath really put everything he had into this role.
at 06:25 on July 22nd, 2008
AMC30 Theaters w/IMAX in Olathe, Kansas. Sold out the entire weekend.
Outstanding "event" movie. Very well done, great performances highlighted by Heath's hauntingly perfect take on The Joker.
taoksu has contributed a photo to this story.
at 07:27 on July 22nd, 2008
phillip24fan has contributed a photo to this story.
at 07:44 on July 22nd, 2008
The Dark Knight is the best movie of all time! The Joker is definetly the best part of the movie. He really makes it. Heaths performance was amazing! If you haven't seen this movie, go see it now!
Tech Artist has contributed a photo to this story.
at 10:01 on July 22nd, 2008
Go see the movie BDK it's the best adaptation of a comic book icon ever.
hero-haven has contributed a photo to this story.
at 10:51 on July 22nd, 2008
Thank you to like my picture !
This film will be release tomorow in my country (Belgium) and it's really difficul to wait to see it !
Thanks again and by the way, sorry for my english, it's been long time since I speak english with someone.
pix.L has contributed a photo to this story.
at 11:00 on July 22nd, 2008
Picture of the Tumbler at Crystal Gardens the night of the Gala honoring Christopher Nolan.
timmyblog has contributed a photo to this story.
at 15:30 on July 22nd, 2008
The Dark Knight was an amazing movie. The entire cast did an excellent job. Heath Ledger was brilliant with his portrayal of The Joker. It's a shame we won't be treated to more mastery from him with this role.
Superb from beginning to end.
at 18:14 on July 22nd, 2008
Batman wallpaper on a full 42" HD with trailer running in the background : ) One of the best movies ever made.
Samad has contributed a photo to this story.
at 21:00 on July 22nd, 2008
Thank you to everyone who contributed a photo to this story. We really enjoyed reading about your comments as well!
at 07:02 on July 23rd, 2008
The lineup in Miami's Sunset Place AMC 24 theater went from the front entrance of the theater on the 4th floor, around to the otherside of the mall, and down the stairs near the Gameworks entrance. It sold out 17 of the 24 theater rooms.