"Dark Knight" bursts box office records

Story by ABC News

12:14 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2008

Holy debut, Batman!

This was the biggest three-day opening in box office history beating the previous winner, "Spiderman 3."

There was extraordinary buzz surrounding "The Dark Knight," with the late Heath Ledger playing the role of the demonic Joker.

"I don't think it's just a morbid fascination. Fact is he gives a great performance," said Ari Karpel with Entertainment Weekly.

The performance that generated Oscar talk even before "The Dark Knight" hit theaters.

Are you going to see/have you seen "The Dark Knight," the new Batman movie?

See the results without voting.

"I think he'd win the Oscar. And if he doesn't, I want to see the performance that does," "The Dark Knight" co-star Michael Caine said.

The average opening of the last five Batman movies was $47 million. This Batman tripled that.

"$155 million is a huge opening, in fact the largest in box office history," Karpel said.

The caped crusader saved what's been a slow year for Hollywood.

The fans waiting in long lines said this was about more than just the movie, it was Ledger's last role.

"He was a great actor when he was here. So we wanna see his last performance," one man said.

"He always outdid himself so I'm sure he'll out do himself here too," a man said.

And judging by the numbers this weekend, he already did.


Post a comment

(Requires free registration.)

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:

Advertisement

Keep an eye on Topeka's weather with the 49 ABC News Sky Cam.

On the air

See what's on KTKA 49 ABC on our online TV schedule here

  • 7 p.m. - "Stand Up to Cancer"
  • 8 p.m. - "America's Funniest Home Videos"
  • 9 p.m. - "20/20"
  • Coming up on 49 News at 6 --More proof today the economy is struggling. Marshanna Hester breaks down the most recent unemployment numbers.
  • K-State students now have a new way to get into the game. How tickets have gone high-tech and why.
  • A Wichita bus driver is under investigation. What he said that made a middle school student feel uncomfortable.
  • Don't miss the first night of the 2008 Locker Room Show at 10. We'll bring you the scores, highlights and football fun from all over Northeast Kansas.
  • Win with KTKA! Find out how and read our official contest rules.

Online chats

Your Heroes

Salute Your Hero
49 News wants to share personal stories of military service. If you have served or know someone who has, share the story online and on the air.

Submit a Your Hero story.

See Your Heroes photo gallery here.

Premier Club


KTKA recognizes outstanding businesses. Go.

Station of the Year

KTKA is your Station of the Year. We were recently awarded this honor, among others, by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. Learn more.

Digital Television Info

By Feb. 17, 2009, all television transmissions will be digital. KTKA is counting down to that day. Will your television screen go black? Tap into resources that will aid you in making the switch. Go.


Voices

Latest blog entries

Game On

From I Heart Local Music

You must be the luckiest performer in the world if people show up to watch you do this.

Interested in writing a blog? Send us a few sample entries! Let us know what you're interested in writing about, the experience you have with your topic, and anything else you think we'll find useful to know.

Latest blog comments:

Want to comment on the news?

Now you can - register for a free account and post comments to stories, blogs, podcasts and more, only on 49abcnews.com. Go »

Poll

Construction will soon be underway on Wanamaker Road near the mall. What do you favor: Fixing a dangerous stretch of that road or other street repairs?

See the results without voting »


AP Video