Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” shattered two box office records, breaking the record for a midnight opening with $22.2 million, defeating “The Dark Knight,” and the worldwide opening day record with $58.18 million domestic and $45.85 million international — $104 million — in just one day.
“We are so happy to share “ËœHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ with the fans and thrilled that they turned out in record numbers to see it,” said Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution for Warner, in a statement.
“With many countries yet to open, these already outstanding box office numbers are another testament to the universal appeal of J.K. Rowling’s stories and the remarkable work of everyone behind the Harry Potter films,” said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, president of international distribution for Warner.
Here in Boston, a manager at the AMC Boston Common Loews proudly boasted that midnight on Wednesday was the first time in the theater’s history that all 19 screens were sold out in the same day for the same show. The theater ran midnight and 12:10 a.m. showings on all of its screens.