The Rejects Report over at Film School Rejects have put their money on a weekend gross of $136 million. This seems like a pretty good baseline to start out predictions — the record, biggest ever opening weekend was set by Spider-man 3 at $156 million, second is Dead Man’s Chest at $135m followed by Shrek The Third on $121m (Source: Box Office Mojo).
The Dark Knight has already broken one record, opening in the most theaters:
The film’s more than 4,366 domestic playdates is a record, surpassing the 4,362 theaters for May 2007’s bow of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.” Double– and triple-screening at many venues means “Dark Knight” will play on 9,200 screens in the U.S. and Canada.
Its engagements include 94 Imax venues — Nolan shot long segments using Imax-format cameras — and most of those giant-screen auditoriums were sold out by midweek. A Warners exec estimated that Imax presales totaled $3.5 million, with advance ticketing for other venues adding considerably to that total.
Rejects question why Mamma Mia was released the same weekend as TDK — I’d say to capture all those girlfriends and mothers that do not fancy a gritty action flick yet are being dragged to the theaters by their wide-eyed male counterparts looking to get their Joker fix. A quick dash, a fork split, you watch this and I’ll watch that sort of thing — shame they’ll be waiting a good 45 minutes after their movie has finished, with the Dark Knight clocking in at 152 mins.
I’m going to stick my neck out and go for an opening of $157m, because I am an optimist and Spider-man 3 deserves knocking off the top spot.
Place your bets now… (sorry, no prizes on this one, I haven’t got any free stuff to giveaway!)
Comments 18 Responses to “Make Your Box Office Predictions Now”
I predict $200 million. Yeah I just went there. I have three reasons for this estimate. One, this movie just broke the record for showing in the most theaters at 4,366 theaters in the US (http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/07/17/the-dark-knight-has-already-broken-one-record-theater-counts/). Two, movie theaters had to add 3 am and 6 am showings. Three, I saw it and it is now my favorite movie of all time. Unforgettable.
I will stick out my neck too, and say that TDK will break the Spider-man 3 record. Theatres were sold out for the Midnight showing many weeks in advance that thousand of theatres across the US began to open 3AM and 6AM showings implying that tickets are selling fast. And the fact that this is Heath Ledgers last film, and that Two Face makes a appearance in the film.
I definitely think it will beat Spidey 3… Heck, it just broke the opening night showing record with $18.5 million for the midnight screenings alone (not including the 3AM and 6AM showings!). The record was previously held by Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith with $16.9 million.
The Dark Knight is amazing. It’s everything I could ever want in a movie and it’s one to keep you coming to the theaters to see it over and over again so you can catch everything! I’m not going to go as far as $200 million on this one, but I’ll say $160 million plus on its opening weekend.
[…] 2007 « Make Your Box Office Predictions Now Record #2: Midnight Sales Record July 18th, 2008, posted by FofR | Digg […]
It will beat Spiderman 3 hands down, and could be one of the highest grossing films of all time
I think that it will blow spidey 3 out of the water by a margin , it made 18.5 in its first showing that’s gotta to be a record in its self I mean this movie is really great from beginning to end a heart pounding action film the best movie of the year to comparison I mean its by far one of the best movies I’ve ever seen the hype was worth it I waited a year to see this movie and ever minute was worth it.… GO DARK KNIGHT.…
150 Million…I’m a man of my word…
I’m saying 170 million. I’m going to try to see it three total times this weekend, so I’ll be doing my part to contribute.
Great website!
It’s simple… Kill the spider-man! Which Dark Knight will do with a 185 million dollar weekend and 470 million in total ticket sales. I am projecting low for the sake of arguing the film can easily do 500 milion because the lines to see the movie are still very very very long and the buzz has not died. I hate all the Marvel movies to date finally D.C will take back it’s thrown!
I’m going to say $181 million. I think people will be really surprised with how well this does.
[…] $60m up, just $90m to go to beat that weekend record set by Spidey. Still time to make your predictions. EDIT: Record confirmed at $66.4m, smashing Spider-mans $59m! Source: […]
[…] were holding a straw poll on potential weekend takings, my Friday prediction of $157m looks almost spot on
, excellent! […]
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