Box Office Preview: 'Dark Knight Rises' Earns Massive $25 Mil in Advance Sales
4:52 PM PDT 7/18/2012 by Pamela McClintock
Christopher Nolan's final "Batman" pic opens at midnight Thursday in North America; pre-release tracking suggests the Warner Bros. movie will score the biggest opening of all time for a non-3D title.
Christopher Nolan's brooding and acclaimed Batman trilogy is going out in style.
Pre-release tracking for The Dark Knight Rises is so big that the movie should have no trouble besting the $158.4 million opening of The Dark Knight to score the best domestic debut of all time for a 2D pic. The next big question: Just how high will the number end up?
PHOTOS: Batman Through The Years
From Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, Dark Knight Rises has already racked up $25 million in advance ticket sales, one of the best numbers of all time and underscoring the keen interest in the film, which returns Christian Bale in the title role. Newcomers to Nolan's blockbuster franchise include villain Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway and Marion Cottilard. Returning alongside Bale are Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. Liam Neeson, who starred in Batman Begins, also is featured.
One veteran box office observer believes Dark Knight Rises could debut in the $185 million to $195 million range; Warners insiders say $170 million is a good starting point. "Anything above that is going into unknown territory," one insider said.
Earlier this summer, Disney and Marvel's The Avengers posted the biggest three-day opening of all time at the domestic box office when grossing $207.4 million. The No. 2 opening of all time belongs to Warners' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which grossed $169.2 million.
Both those films had the advantage of being released in 3D; roughly $35 million of the opening weekend gross for Avengers came from the 3D upcharge.
PHOTOS: 'The Dark Knight Rises' Red Carpet Premiere
There are several factors that could prevent Dark Knight Rises from reaching the level of Avengers, even though some think it could. One is the fact that Dark Knight Rises isn't being released in 3D. Another is the film's lengthy running time of two hours, 43 minutes.
On the flip side, Dark Knight Rises is getting the widest Imax release of all time, or 330 theaters. Nolan is a big fan of Imax, and shot more than an hour of the film with Imax cameras. Insiders expect Imax grosses for Dark Knight Rises to eclipse the record-breaking $15.3 million earned by Avengers.
Dark Knight Rises will have a massive footprint overall. By Friday morning, the pic will be playing in roughly 4,400 locations nationwide, virtually on par with The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which enjoyed the widest release of all time with a theater count of 4,468.
Dark Knight earned $18.4 million in midnight grosses, while Avengers grossed $18.7 million.
Overseas, Dark Knight Rises opens day and date in a number of territories, including the UK.
4:52 PM PDT 7/18/2012 by Pamela McClintock
Christopher Nolan's final "Batman" pic opens at midnight Thursday in North America; pre-release tracking suggests the Warner Bros. movie will score the biggest opening of all time for a non-3D title.
Christopher Nolan's brooding and acclaimed Batman trilogy is going out in style.
Pre-release tracking for The Dark Knight Rises is so big that the movie should have no trouble besting the $158.4 million opening of The Dark Knight to score the best domestic debut of all time for a 2D pic. The next big question: Just how high will the number end up?
PHOTOS: Batman Through The Years
From Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, Dark Knight Rises has already racked up $25 million in advance ticket sales, one of the best numbers of all time and underscoring the keen interest in the film, which returns Christian Bale in the title role. Newcomers to Nolan's blockbuster franchise include villain Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway and Marion Cottilard. Returning alongside Bale are Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. Liam Neeson, who starred in Batman Begins, also is featured.
One veteran box office observer believes Dark Knight Rises could debut in the $185 million to $195 million range; Warners insiders say $170 million is a good starting point. "Anything above that is going into unknown territory," one insider said.
Earlier this summer, Disney and Marvel's The Avengers posted the biggest three-day opening of all time at the domestic box office when grossing $207.4 million. The No. 2 opening of all time belongs to Warners' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which grossed $169.2 million.
Both those films had the advantage of being released in 3D; roughly $35 million of the opening weekend gross for Avengers came from the 3D upcharge.
PHOTOS: 'The Dark Knight Rises' Red Carpet Premiere
There are several factors that could prevent Dark Knight Rises from reaching the level of Avengers, even though some think it could. One is the fact that Dark Knight Rises isn't being released in 3D. Another is the film's lengthy running time of two hours, 43 minutes.
On the flip side, Dark Knight Rises is getting the widest Imax release of all time, or 330 theaters. Nolan is a big fan of Imax, and shot more than an hour of the film with Imax cameras. Insiders expect Imax grosses for Dark Knight Rises to eclipse the record-breaking $15.3 million earned by Avengers.
Dark Knight Rises will have a massive footprint overall. By Friday morning, the pic will be playing in roughly 4,400 locations nationwide, virtually on par with The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which enjoyed the widest release of all time with a theater count of 4,468.
Dark Knight earned $18.4 million in midnight grosses, while Avengers grossed $18.7 million.
Overseas, Dark Knight Rises opens day and date in a number of territories, including the UK.
The Dark Knight Rises Outpacing The Avengers In Online Ticket Sales
If you enjoy following the game that is the box office, you're undoubtedly wondering if The Avengers can hang on to its record of the biggest all-time domestic opening, now that The Dark Knight Rises is blasting its way into theaters this weekend. Batman will have a challenge overtaking the Marvel team, as this weekend's movie doesn't have the added 3D ticket prices. But if pre-sales are any evidence to go by, the contest is going to be tight-- and the newest numbers from Fandango say The Dark Knight Rises might set that record after all.
In a press release the ticket sales company just announced that the Christopher Nolan film accounts for 91% of today's ticket sales, and almost every single IMAX midnight showing for tonight is completely sold out-- so don't count on showing up last minute and snagging a seat. Overall The Dark Knight Rises is ahead of where The Avengers was in ticket sales at this point before its release-- though, again, given the higher price of 3D tickets, that might not mean anything in terms of actual cash.
So the race between the superheroes at the box office may go down to the wire-- but hey, if you really want to see The Dark Knight Rises pull it out, it's not too late! That is, if there are still any tickets left to buy where you are. Here in New York, I'm pretty sure I won't have the chance to catch my round two viewing of the movie until sometime in August.
If you enjoy following the game that is the box office, you're undoubtedly wondering if The Avengers can hang on to its record of the biggest all-time domestic opening, now that The Dark Knight Rises is blasting its way into theaters this weekend. Batman will have a challenge overtaking the Marvel team, as this weekend's movie doesn't have the added 3D ticket prices. But if pre-sales are any evidence to go by, the contest is going to be tight-- and the newest numbers from Fandango say The Dark Knight Rises might set that record after all.
In a press release the ticket sales company just announced that the Christopher Nolan film accounts for 91% of today's ticket sales, and almost every single IMAX midnight showing for tonight is completely sold out-- so don't count on showing up last minute and snagging a seat. Overall The Dark Knight Rises is ahead of where The Avengers was in ticket sales at this point before its release-- though, again, given the higher price of 3D tickets, that might not mean anything in terms of actual cash.
So the race between the superheroes at the box office may go down to the wire-- but hey, if you really want to see The Dark Knight Rises pull it out, it's not too late! That is, if there are still any tickets left to buy where you are. Here in New York, I'm pretty sure I won't have the chance to catch my round two viewing of the movie until sometime in August.
So far, box office numbers have topped estimates. Exhibitor Relations reports the movie earned at least $27 million with its midnight opening, beating "The Avengers" debut of $18.7 million.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_1...asts-shadow-on-the-dark-knight-rises-opening/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_1...asts-shadow-on-the-dark-knight-rises-opening/
'Dark Knight Rises' collects $30.6 million from midnight screenings
By Ben Fritz July 20, 2012, 11:20 a.m.
"The Dark Knight Rises"sold $30.6 million worth of tickets from screenings at or soon after midnight Friday, the second-highest late-night opening of all time. The ticket sales figures came in after the tragic shooting at a movie theater in Colorado.
The film played at 3,825 theaters, of which 330 had premium-priced Imax screens.
Warner Bros.' third and final Batman movie from director Christopher Nolan came in behind only last year's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," also from Burbank-based Warner, which debuted to a staggering $43.5 million.
PHOTOS: 'Dark Knight Rises' shooting
Among the midnight debuts that "The Dark Knight Rises" slightly surpassed were the last two "Twilight" movies, "Breaking Dawn Part 1" and "Eclipse," which took in $30.25 million and $30 million, respectively, in the U.S. and Canada.
In May, "The Avengers" took in a comparatively modest $18.7 from midnight shows before going on to score the highest opening weekend of all time with $207.4 million in ticket sales.
"The Dark Knight Rises" was on track to rival and potentially beat "The Avengers" by the end of its first weekend. However, it now remains to be seen whether news of the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting where 12 people were killed and dozens more injured will keep audiences away from theaters and dampen ticket sales this weekend and beyond.
PHOTOS: Hollywood reacts to shooting
The huge start for "The Dark Knight Rises" signals that fans across the country were extremely excited to see the picture as soon as possible, even if it meant waiting until nearly 3 a.m. for the 2 hour and 40 minute picture to end.
In some locations, fans sat down for Batman marathons that started in the early evening with showings of Nolan's"Batman Begins"and "The Dark Knight" before the start of "The Dark Knight Rises" at 12 a.m.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...ht-dark-knight-rises-20120720,0,2133469.story
By Ben Fritz July 20, 2012, 11:20 a.m.
"The Dark Knight Rises"sold $30.6 million worth of tickets from screenings at or soon after midnight Friday, the second-highest late-night opening of all time. The ticket sales figures came in after the tragic shooting at a movie theater in Colorado.
The film played at 3,825 theaters, of which 330 had premium-priced Imax screens.
Warner Bros.' third and final Batman movie from director Christopher Nolan came in behind only last year's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," also from Burbank-based Warner, which debuted to a staggering $43.5 million.
PHOTOS: 'Dark Knight Rises' shooting
Among the midnight debuts that "The Dark Knight Rises" slightly surpassed were the last two "Twilight" movies, "Breaking Dawn Part 1" and "Eclipse," which took in $30.25 million and $30 million, respectively, in the U.S. and Canada.
In May, "The Avengers" took in a comparatively modest $18.7 from midnight shows before going on to score the highest opening weekend of all time with $207.4 million in ticket sales.
"The Dark Knight Rises" was on track to rival and potentially beat "The Avengers" by the end of its first weekend. However, it now remains to be seen whether news of the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting where 12 people were killed and dozens more injured will keep audiences away from theaters and dampen ticket sales this weekend and beyond.
PHOTOS: Hollywood reacts to shooting
The huge start for "The Dark Knight Rises" signals that fans across the country were extremely excited to see the picture as soon as possible, even if it meant waiting until nearly 3 a.m. for the 2 hour and 40 minute picture to end.
In some locations, fans sat down for Batman marathons that started in the early evening with showings of Nolan's"Batman Begins"and "The Dark Knight" before the start of "The Dark Knight Rises" at 12 a.m.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...ht-dark-knight-rises-20120720,0,2133469.story
I agree, it's gonna have a huge effect on how much money this movie takes in this weekend.
Shooting cancels Paris premiere of Batman movie
(AP) – 3 hours ago
PARIS (AP) — The Paris premiere of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" was canceled Friday after a gunman killed several people at a Colorado opening of the same film.
The event at a movie theater on the French capital's famed Champs-Elysees Avenue was supposed to include director Christopher Nolan and stars like Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine.
But on Friday afternoon, workers were pulling down the red carpet display. Some could be seen carrying away a large mask that had adorned the facade of the theater.
Warner Bros. said in a statement that it was also canceling all media interviews in the city. The studio said it was "deeply saddened" by the shooting.
Another screening with appearances by members of the cast had also been planned for Saturday night in Paris. There was no immediate word on whether it would take place.
In the early hours of Friday morning, a man wearing a gas mask released an unknown substance into a crowded movie theater in a Denver suburb and opened fire. The shooter has been arrested.
President Francois Hollande said in a statement that his thoughts were with the American people, especially the families of the victims.
After the premiere was canceled, a small group of fans and journalists gathered in front of the posh Hotel Bristol, where members of the cast were reportedly staying.
Onlooker Charles Vignon was disappointed that the premiere had been canceled.
"I think Warner maybe should have cancelled it at movie theaters of the area where it (the killings) happened," the 17-year-old said. "But as for France, I think it is very far away from the U.S. so I don't think it was necessary."
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Related articles
(AP) – 3 hours ago
PARIS (AP) — The Paris premiere of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" was canceled Friday after a gunman killed several people at a Colorado opening of the same film.
The event at a movie theater on the French capital's famed Champs-Elysees Avenue was supposed to include director Christopher Nolan and stars like Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine.
But on Friday afternoon, workers were pulling down the red carpet display. Some could be seen carrying away a large mask that had adorned the facade of the theater.
Warner Bros. said in a statement that it was also canceling all media interviews in the city. The studio said it was "deeply saddened" by the shooting.
Another screening with appearances by members of the cast had also been planned for Saturday night in Paris. There was no immediate word on whether it would take place.
In the early hours of Friday morning, a man wearing a gas mask released an unknown substance into a crowded movie theater in a Denver suburb and opened fire. The shooter has been arrested.
President Francois Hollande said in a statement that his thoughts were with the American people, especially the families of the victims.
After the premiere was canceled, a small group of fans and journalists gathered in front of the posh Hotel Bristol, where members of the cast were reportedly staying.
Onlooker Charles Vignon was disappointed that the premiere had been canceled.
"I think Warner maybe should have cancelled it at movie theaters of the area where it (the killings) happened," the 17-year-old said. "But as for France, I think it is very far away from the U.S. so I don't think it was necessary."
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Related articles
