The new "Twilight" film had everyone vampire crazy over the weekend, as "New Moon" sunk its teeth into the competition, earning a staggering $140.7 million in just three days to beat out Sandra Bullock's drama "The Blind Side" and "the animated "Planet 51."
The win was a landslide.
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" earned its place in movie history, with the third all-time domestic debut, behind 2008's "The Dark Knight" and 2007's "Spider-Man 3", earning $158.4 million and $151.1 million in their opening weekends respectfully.
That's just within the States. Internationally, the vampire tale raked in $258.8 million worldwide.
"New Moon's" debut was more than twice the $69.6 million haul over the same weekend last year for "Twilight," the first in the franchise based on Stephenie Meyer's novels.
"Obviously, with the success of 'Twilight' itself, sequels being what they are will generate X-number of dollars more, particularly if it's a satisfying sequel," Richie Fay, head of distribution for Summit, told the Associated Press.
On Friday (November 20), the day "New Moon" opened, it set an all-time domestic high for opening day with $72.7 million. The previous record was $67.2 million, held by "The Dark Knight."
Opening at #2 was the Sandra Bullock football drama, "The Blind Side", earning $34.5 million. The film is about the real-life story of Baltimore Ravens tackle Michael Oher, who was a homeless teen taken in by a wealthy family and enrolled in private school.
Then, at #3, was the previous weekend's top movie, Sony's disaster tale "2012," earning $26.5 million, taking its total to $108.2 million.
The animated "Planet 51," landed at #4 in its opening weekend, taking in $12.6 million, while the limited release of Nicolas Cage's crime thriller "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" opened with $257,267 in 27 theaters.
At #5 was the Jim Carrey remake of "A Christmas Carol," taking $12.2 million in its third weekend, taking its total to just under $80 million.
That wraps things up this weekend. Next weekend, look out for new releases such as the action "Ninja Assassin," the family comedy "Old Dogs," and the expansion of the animated "The Fantastic Mr. Fox."
This weekend's top 10 is as follows:
1 - "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," $140.7 million.
2 - "The Blind Side," $34.5 million.
3 - "2012," $26.5 million.
4 - "Planet 51," $12.6 million.
5 - "Disney's A Christmas Carol," $12.2 million.
6 - "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' by Sapphire," $11 million.
7 - "The Men Who Stare at Goats," $2.8 million.
8 - "Couples Retreat," $2 million.
9 - "The Fourth Kind," $1.7 million.
10 - "Law Abiding Citizen," $1.6 million.
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