The Dark Knight Might As Well Just Play Around the Clock

Posted by Robin Ruinsky (robin@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 10, 2008

Fans like to go to midnight showings of a big film. The opening night for some films has become an event. It’s exciting, a way to be one of the first to see a special movie, like The Dark Knight. But unless you already have your ticket to that midnight show you might be seeing The Dark Knight in the light of early morning.

Tickets for the first showings on July 18 of The Dark Knight are already selling out. When polled by Fandango 38 percent of ticker buyers said they were taking the day off to see the highly anticipated film. Theaters added shows at three a.m. and when those sold out they added shows at six a.m.

Some of this is driven by Heath Ledger’s acclaimed performance as the Joker. A drive has already begun to get the late actor an Oscar nomination. But the film has generated excitement from the trailers and clips which have been running online for months.

The first film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman series, Batman Begins, took in $200 million dollars and this sequel has been eagerly awaited by fans. The first film opened to a $49 million dollar weekend take. It’s safe to bet that The Dark Knight is going to shatter that number.

IMAX showings of the film are reported to be sold out with exception of New York City’s Lincoln Square Theater and I suspect that will sell out well before July 18. It looks like The Dark Knight will have a record opening.

What time do you plan on seeing The Dark Knight? Also, do you think it will break records on opening weekend?

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