Follow Zap2it:
'Twilight: Eclipse' breaks midnight opening box office record
Twitter
Google
"Twilight: Eclipse" is being herald by critics as the best "Twilight Saga" movie yet -- and so far, the box office numbers reflect the same.In its midnight release June 30, "Eclipse" grossed over $30 million on its 4000+ screens, which surpasses "Twilight: New Moon's" previous highwater mark of $26.2 million. It also beat the previous IMAX benchmark set by "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" -- "Eclipse" took in over $1 million at IMAX theaters to "Transformers's" $959,000.
However, according to Box Office Mojo, "Eclipse" is not likely to, ahem, eclipse "New Moon's" opening weekend total of $142.8 million due to factors like a more competitive weekend movie market and burning off demand via Wednesday and Thursday screenings.
But who knows -- it still could top "New Moon." We won't know "Eclipse's" final weekend numbers until Tuesday, July 6. Zap2it's own Rick Porter thinks it could top $200 million by then.
Follow Zap2it and Zap2it Andrea on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news.
Photo credit: Getty
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Our Partners
Great movie-the best of the 3. Can't wait to see it again. Taylor Lautner really shows his acting skills in this one.
I attended the Twilight Trilogy here in Muskegon Michigan it Started at 7pm with Twilight, Twilight New moon@ 925pm, then with the 12:01 showing of Eclipse.(yeah long night)but was totally worth it..OMG it was awesome the theater was packed! The theater Celebration Cinema was great they had everything under controll and did have to wait long for consessions which made the night great!! I will be seeing the movie again later this week when I get paid. Eclipse is the best movie for the series so far!!!Great job!!!!
Of course they made more when theaters were charging more to attend the midnight showing then they did last yr I'm sure about all theaters but Carmike charged a $3.50 "premium" for the midnight showing.
I saw the midnight show last night and it was awesome! Definately the best of the three films so far. I loved it. It was better than Twilight and New Moon combined on every level. I'm seeing it again this weekend. I think positive word of mouth is going to propel Eclipse to beat New Moon's record. There were A TON of guys at the theater which I was surprised about. It looks like the marketing campaign is paying off.
With Eclipse opening last night and The Last Airbender opening tomorrow night, Toy Story 3 and every other movie in theaters right now will be crushed over the weekend. I found out today from a guy who is going with a group of his buddies to see The Last Airbender tomorrow, that its midnight showing here is nearly sold out.
The Last Airbender will plummet when bad word of mouth circulates after the opening weekend. It's currently sitting at 7% at RottenTomatoes.com out of a possible 100%. It won't pose a long term threat to Toy Story 3 or Eclipse.
I don't understand why so much hype surrounds these movies as opposed to the Harry Potter movies. New Moon came more that $250 million dollars short worldwide of reaching the spot of the lowest-grossing Potter movie, and I can't honestly expect this one to come any closer. Why does this franchise dominate the media coverage over all else???
Josh C, we are a nation of sensationalism. The media picks something, beats it to death and then moves on to something else. It's the nature of the beast. Twilight just happens to be the flavor of the moment.
haha, even though i didnt like the last 2 movies i realyliked this one! Im actually planning to watch it again :] .