LOS ANGELES (AP) — Batman’s joust with the Joker has set another box office record.
Stoked by fan fever over the manic performance of the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, “The Dark Knight” set a one-day box office record with $66.4 million on opening day, Warner Bros. head of distribution Dan Fellman said Saturday.
The movie’s Friday haul surpassed the previous record of $59.8 million set last year by “Spider-Man 3.” “The Dark Knight” might break the opening-weekend record of $151.1 million, also held by “Spider-Man 3.”
“I think they’re in jeopardy,” Fellman said of the “Spider-Man 3” records.
“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.”
Buzz had been high for the Batman sequel well before Ledger died of an accidental prescription-drug overdose in January. Trailers last fall revealing Ledger’s demented Joker, with crooked clown makeup, turned up the heat even more. The critical acclaim over his performance that built from advance screenings left fans in a frenzy.
“It’s a combination of things. Certainly, that’s a great part of it, but I think this movie’s gross was partly because of the reviews it received and the incredible buzz and word of mouth that preceded it with our early screenings,” Fellman said. “And the success and quality of the last one, ‘Batman Begins,’ delivered by Chris Nolan just set the tone for the opening of this movie.”
“The Dark Knight” reunites Christian Bale as Batman, the vigilante crime-fighter tormented by personal tragedy, and co-stars Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman. Maggie Gyllenhaal also stars.
The film spins an epic crime duel as Ledger’s Joker orchestrates a reign of terror on the city of Gotham aimed to spread chaos and break down the restraint that keeps Batman on the right side of the law.
While critics are taking the film seriously enough to suggest Ledger could be in line for an Academy Award nomination, the action-packed movie also delivers as pure summer movie escapism.
“If you’re worried about mortgage payments and gas prices, when you’re sitting in ‘The Dark Knight’ for two and a half hours, you’re not thinking about any of that stuff,” Dergarabedian said.
Entertainment
‘Dark Knight’ sets box office record with $66.4M
- Entertainment
-
-
Concert to benefit Riley will feature 28 performers May 26
A group of Elkhart area performers will provide a variety of entertainment in a concert to benefit Riley Children’s Hospital, Indianapolis, at the Goshen Theater today.
-
Goshen music venue offers an intimate experience
From the front row at the Ignition Garage you can reach out and touch your favorite musician on stage. From the back row, you’re still within eye-contact range.
-
Choirs to perform Sunday at Goshen College
Two Goshen College Community School of the Arts (CSA) children’s choirs will perform as part of the Spring CSA Showcase Concert Sunday at 4 p.m. in Goshen College Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall.
-
'Beloved Dearly' to be performed at Bethany Christian Middle School
Bethany Christian Middle School students will perform Doug Cooney's "The Beloved Dearly" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
-
GC graduate in concert Friday
Ruthmere’s Spring Culture Series performance Friday will feature a violin concert by Elspeth Stalter, a recent Goshen College graduate.
-
Flying high in Shipshe
Look at what’s going up. Look at what’s coming down — and then, perhaps, eat it.
Those are two of many entertainment options available Saturday in Shipshewana. -
Website: Glen Campbell to perform during fair
The Rhinestone Cowboy may be riding into Goshen.
The website hotlist.com reports that Glen Campbell will perform during the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Wednesday, July 25, at 7 p.m. -
'Zoo Zoo' to be performed at Goshen College
Portland, Ore.-based Imago Theater will present “Zoo Zoo” as part of Goshen College’s 2011-12 Performing Arts Series season April 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the college’s Umble Center.
-
Goshen College concerts announced
Emmylou Harris, the Del McCoury Band and Lea Salonga are among the highlights of the 2012-13 season of the Goshen College Performing Arts Series.
-
GC Symphony Orchestra to perform Friday
The Goshen College Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Assistant Professor of Music Christopher Fashun, will present its spring concert in Goshen College Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall Friday at 7:30 p.m.
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
Concert to benefit Riley will feature 28 performers May 26
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
