I wonder how big of a factor BB's WOM was to the insane success of this film. Obviously, Joker was the bigger factor, but still.

Then again, I thought $135+ million was crazy...

I don't know, Magnus. I know a lot of people who either disliked or haven't seen BB and were pumped to see TDK mainly because of Joker. Besides, according to crowd reports by Fandango, people were simply stoked to see Joker in the big screen once again.

Look, THE DARK KNIGHT is a stunning cinematic achievement on every fucking level.

Huge blockbusters like this ARE NOT supposed to be this good or made this way. And GREAT FILMS made like this ARE NOT supposed to make this much money.

Whew, I am so pumped! After BB n SR, we finally got a huge smash! WORD!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and I can't seem to find the thread, but with TDK breaking out like this, I'm more confident on this July beating out last year's July. Obviously, it'll take other breakouts, but TDK definitely will the month huge.

Perhaps, but then it's the presence of a popular Batman villain that most likely had people stoked. BB didn't have such thing.

Excel predicted under $350 mil.

No. Just no. Sadly, no Batman film will ever approach the gross of this one. TDK, as spectacular it is, and for all of its outstanding marketing efforts, has one weapon very few movies get. A budding star dying right after giving the performance of a lifetime, leading to a film getting humongous press 6 months before it's even released. Enjoy this box office performance while you can, you won't see something like this for a while...

This was a perfect storm of events.

Now... if this can get a 3.5+ multiplier... THEN we can talk about the 3rd surpassing it.

Dark Knight being a bigger event film than Spider-Man, LotR, Harry Potter, Pirates, and even Star War is pretty much the coolest fucking thing ever.

No! It just isn't true! The Joker is the epitome of Batman villains, he is the first that ever comes to mind. Just the fact that people wanted to see if Ledger was better than Nicholson BEFORE he died was bigger than any buzz the Riddler or Catwoman could stir up. Can we just be happy with this for a while and leave sequel talks out of the picture? It's weekend isn't even over.

Who the hella woulda thought this would top the original Batman inflated???



No doubt!


Agreed, the stars really lined up for this one. #3 will probably only do 380-400 area; but Id be shocked if it didnt break the ow weekend record again.

Mag wheres your tdk review??

Excel predicted under $350 mil for this.

Just wanted to remind everyone that.

I agree about the 3rd film by the way, it has scary potential, especially on the OW

You know what's scary about all this? I don't think Batman Begins' WOM and fanship itself had a huge effect on this opening. It helped restore the image of the franchise and made Bale the recognizable Batman, but I don't think it had a "I loved the first, I must go the second" effect like Pirates. I think if you took away the bad scent of B&R, this could've been a 350 mil film on its own. Batman is one of the world's most beloved heroes, Joker's one of the top villains, and you had probably the best marketing ever, early quality hype, Ledger's death blitz, etc.

What happens if they repeat the hype with the WOM and later DVD viewers of TDK too?

Best supporting actor

I know

Don't forget, beat Titanic to fastest to $500 and $600 mil...

@ those who think he's leaving.

"Mr. Nolan, you directed one of the biggest box office hits of all time. It won oscars. Everybody loves it. Your going to LEAVE?"

If he says yes, they whip out the checkbook, and thats that.

Nolan's not about the money, though.

The last thing I would want is Nolan pretty much being forced to do it, ala Raimi and SM3

I don't see how Raimi was forced into a movie that had a lot of potential to be great.

Haha.

Sure.

Think he cares more about money than quality?