New Moon Breaks Opening Day Record

'Twilight' sequel earns $72.7 million, beating 'Dark Knight'

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2009 2:09 PM CST

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New Moon Breaks Opening Day Record — Moviegoers wait in line for the movie in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

The Twilight sequel raked in $72.7 million yesterday, making it biggest opening day ever. New Moon earned $26 million in midnight showings alone, helping it trump the previous record of $67.2 million earned by Dark Knight. The feat is all the more remarkable because it's outside the usual summer blockbuster season, notes Variety. The movie has a chance to bust the record for biggest opening weekend: $158 million, set by Dark Knight.
(Read more Summit Entertainment stories.)