Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated movie starring the late Heath Ledger (Australia) in the role of The Joker and Christian Bale (UK) as the caped crusader opened last Friday at 0:01 am, securing its first record, for the highest-grossing midnight movie. Next, it secured the one-day box-office gross record, and then the opening weekend and three-day gross records. In addition, it was given the widest release of any movie in history.
The Dark Knight the first Batman movie not to include the word "Batman" in the title re-imagines the first meeting of Batman and The Joker. It has already won two awards at the 2008 Golden Trailer awards, for Best Action Movie Trailer and Best Summer Blockbuster Poster, and is tipped to propel its deceased star Ledger to posthumous Oscar glory.
The Dark Knight Guinness Records to date
Highest grossing midnight release
The first midnight/early-morning screening of The Dark Knight (USA 2008) on 18 July 2008 amassed a record box-office take of $18.5 million from 3,040 cinemas, beating Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, which took $16.9 million in 2,915 cinemas.
Highest grossing one-day release
The Dark Knight grossed $67,850,000 during its first day on release (July 18, 2008) at the same time securing the world record for the highest-grossing single day (not just opening day) in cinema history.
Highest grossing opening weekend
Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (USA 2008) grossed a record $155.3 million in its opening weekend of July 18-20. This is also the best ever opening three days of any movie in history. Thanks to international ticket sales, the movie, which cost an estimate $180 million to make, has already earned back its costs, raking in an incredible $195,340,000 in its first three days!
Widest film release single country
Batman: The Dark Knight (USA 2008) was given the widest film release of any movie in history when it opened in the USA on 18 July 2008 at 4,366 cinemas.
