Friday Estimates: Dark Knight Smashes Single Day Record

July 19, 2008

The Dark Knight smashed the all-time single day record on Friday, according to Warner Bros.' estimate, with an extraordinary $66.4 million. That's more than $6 million ahead of the previous record-holder, Spider-Man 3, which earned $59,841,919 on its opening day last year. (See complete list of biggest single days at the box office.)

The blockbuster opening puts Dark Knight on track for the biggest weekend in history too. If it matches Spider-Man's pace on Saturday and Sunday, it'll clock in with $167.7 million. That might prove to be a little optimistic, but it's hard to see it not topping the current record of $151.1 million, also held by Spider-Man 3.

Also opening this weekend, Mamma Mia! had a very solid $9.68 million on Friday, while Space Chimps recorded a disappointing $2.59 million. The real downside surprise, however, was Hellboy 2, which could only manage $3.37 million, down more than 75% from its opening day.

Filed under: Friday Estimates, The Dark Knight, Mamma Mia!, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Space Chimps