'Twilight: Eclipse' Sets Midnight Record For Ticket Sales

LOS ANGELES — "The Twilight Saga" has rung up another record midnight hour.

"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" took in more than $30 million from midnight screenings Wednesday, according to distributor Summit Entertainment.

That surpassed the previous midnight record of $26.3 million set on opening day last November by its predecessor, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

Summit was still counting the numbers and was not expected to have a final overnight number until Thursday. But Summit reported the figure was likely to come in significantly higher than $30 million.

The huge start for "Eclipse" puts the latest chapter in the vampire-romance series on track for one of the biggest opening days ever.

"New Moon" also holds that record, taking in $72.7 million in its first day.

The new midnight record is even more impressive considering "Eclipse" managed it in the middle of the week. "New Moon" opened on Friday, typically a busier day at theaters.

Fans lined up Tuesday hours ahead of the first midnight show times for "Eclipse," which continues the story of brooding teen Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and her love triangle with vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).

With the Fourth of July weekend ahead, "Eclipse" is positioned for a colossal first five days. The record five-day haul for a movie opening on Wednesday is $200 million for last year's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

Comments

[Katzfey]

08:56 PM on 07/01/2010

I heard the next sequel centers around a weiryorkie who under the full moon transforms to a small dog. It then yaps all night keeping everyone awake. Horrific!!­!!

[jalyn277]

11:26 AM on 07/01/2010

Best of the 3...think I might even go see it again.

[philohooke]

11:15 AM on 07/01/2010

I was surprised. It was nicely filmed.
http://www­.itsadogsl­ifestudio.­com

[llovejim]

07:59 AM on 07/01/2010

Somebody said that these Twilight movies are like soccer- a lot of running around aimlessly for a couple of hours, nobody scores and billions around the world worship it.

[LiberalBuzz]

01:28 AM on 07/01/2010

Don't get it but on the other hand the studios do and that's all that counts.

[felicitywalks]

11:51 PM on 06/30/2010

Just goes to prove the kids and tweens rule the box office and what makes it to the movie theaters.

HuffPo Signature Line:
http://www­.thehollyw­oodgossip.­com/2009/1­2/scheana-­marie-eddi­e-cibrian-­nailed-me-­too

[skantea]

11:40 PM on 06/30/2010

I had to watch the first one as a film class assignment comparing it to "Let the Right One In," (mind blowing btw), and I'm pretty sure if I hadn't had to be there I would have walked out. Especially because the only reason he couldn't be in sunlight was because it made him too beautiful (or sparkly or whatever). I find it hard to believe that these last two got any better.
Honestly I thought Harry Potter was a little annoying but at least the movies had some integrity.

There's a link that I can't find, but it basically said "What's the difference between Harry Potter and Twilight?" and then goes on to show quotes from the respective actors. The Harry Potter stars were grateful and had nothing but love for the entire experience­. The twilight actors said they were bored and couldn't wait for it to end.

I think a lot of people feel that way.

[blueman00009]

10:35 PM on 06/30/2010

I'll jump on the band wagon. Yuck! Means there will be more of these garbage movies and more press and more garbage in general concerning this c r a p. Why can't they make stuff for kids that isn't so sexual and trashy? I really do not get it.

[ChrisDWard]

01:58 AM on 07/01/2010

"Sexual" and trashy? There's some kissing, but ain't no sex in the Twilight movies.

[DrJimmy]

07:24 AM on 07/01/2010

Wait till the next two!

[llovejim]

09:49 PM on 06/30/2010

I haven't seen this kind of excitement since the latest Harry Potter movie came out! is it too predicatab­le to say these vapid, clownish vampire movies suck?

[SuperMoncho]

09:40 PM on 06/30/2010

BOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOO­O

[tangelan]

08:57 PM on 06/30/2010

I'm not seeing it until next weekend. I'm looking forward to it.

[tefoskey]

06:23 PM on 06/30/2010

We saw it this morning. I loved the fighting sequence; especially when Edward killed Victoria.

[Beaucheron]

09:27 PM on 06/30/2010

Geez, spoiler much? Twit...

[langstonhughesfan]

11:18 PM on 06/30/2010

Now I'm not even a fan of this series but if I were, I would be furious right now. How dumb are you to post this incredible spoiler???­!!!! You are indeed a twit.

[NewOrleansLives]

05:16 PM on 06/30/2010

The next two Harry Potter films will blow Twilight out of the water.

[BebeLush]

05:28 PM on 06/30/2010

A lot of films "blow Twilight out of the water." But that has no relevance to their devoted fan base, which seems to only get bigger and bigger with each film. And I don't see any reason for the childish, "My movie made more money than your money" bullcrap. More money doesn't necessaril­y mean a better film. If that were the case, then "Let the Right One In" should have outgrossed Twilight by a billion dollars.

[vincentmartin226]

11:52 PM on 06/30/2010

A few years ago I saw a wonderfull film called The Station Agent. It was one of the best films I have seen in years it did not make a dime.Great little story (if you have seen it no pun intended as I am a big fan of Peter Dinklidge) it was about real relationsh­ips.Nothin­g gets blown up, no one dies , no effects) Just people relating and acting ........A good film is not always about how much money it makes

[tefoskey]

06:25 PM on 06/30/2010

I'm not certain about the second to the last Harry Potter, but the last one will definitely blow Twilight out of the water.

[SuperMoncho]

05:09 PM on 06/30/2010

Grabage

[Pansey]

06:23 PM on 06/30/2010

Yes, it is "grab"age.­......this series has millions and millions of fans - all ages (I'm a granny) and I love the books, the movies and the stars.

It's called 'fantasy' people, this story takes everyone on a great journey, deal with it.

[tangelan]

08:56 PM on 06/30/2010

I like them too. It's about vampires and werewolves and people are expecting an Oscar contender. It's just fantasy and fun. Nothing more, nothing less.

[llovejim]

09:52 PM on 06/30/2010

a great journey of mediocrity with young people recruited from Sears catalogs but without the acting chops. some day you "yutes" will look back on standing on line for this derivative simplistic crap and laugh...un­til then, everybody else will laugh at you....

[Bluejay00234]

05:07 PM on 06/30/2010

Oh gawd this means a definite go on two more movies.