A few days ago, an article on another website asked, “Is The Dark Knight playing fair? Shouldn’t it pipe down a bit and give Hellboy 2 and Hancock some breathing room? Is this movie a big bully?” Bonkers (and a little sad). At this point, it’s fair to say that Christopher Nolan’s sequel-of-sequels is more like a holiday than a film. The New York Times parlayed that some American ticket buyers are even taking off work (Slashfilm clause: you get the day off if you have to wait in line). Spandex clad men in capes tailgating in the mall parking lot: serious business.

DHD reports that inside sources at Warner Bros. are playing it safe and predicting $100 million for the three-day weekend. We all know that is insanely low. Select IMAX theaters are now offering 6 a.m. screenings after their midnight and 3 a.m. showings went the way of the dodo. Tickets sales are boffo across the board, and have been for weeks.

Nikki Finke’s sources are predicting $130 million, which would place it third for biggest three-day weekend of all time behind Spider-Man 3 ($151 million) and POTC: DMC ($131 million).

Dude! TDK is going to annihilate those records. The running-time is not a factor. The film’s darkness is the new “okay, you can stay up late this once.” Next weekend is going to be friggin’ awesome.*

Discuss: How high will TDK go? $130 million or above? Will it beat Spider-Man 3?

* Slashfilm’s Magic 8ball was used for the purposes of this article.

Breaking: /Film reader, Matthew, reports, “My office is taking a bus to go see it next Friday at noon. It is going to CRUSH Spider-Man 3. Crush the living hell out of it.” What a nice thought, Matthew.

  • brian
    i've never seen anything this anticipated, so i think it will crush them. i'm even seeing it twice on friday
  • Ken Hatch
    Hell Yes. At least $145. It's being hailed as the greatest comic book movie ever and it has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Fuck Indiana Jones. The summer sequel has arrived.
  • TheDaftPunk
    I know that I have never been this excited to see a movie, and I did see PotC: DMC, and Spiderman 3 opening day. I'm expecting the opening for TDK will be a lot bigger.
  • Greg
    I have my Imax ticket and I can't wait, till thursday-its going to be amazing
  • A Better Class of Criminal
    You know what, I'll put myself out there and predict it...
    $152 Million!
    Why not? Just $1 million over Spider-man 3, it could break the all time record.

    you'll see, I'll show ya.
  • GregoryV
    with imax showings from 12am, 3, and 6... absolutely.
  • vadmspartan
    I'm gonna have to go with something in the $130 million range. I would love it to just shatter records though.
  • Zera
    It will make over $200 million. You can screen shot this comment, I know it will. Everyone is going to see this movie, man... Hell, it's going to beat Titanic's record for highest grossing film ever, even taking inflation into count. I guarantee it.
  • I definitely agree with the lofty expectations. I earnestly would not be surprised if it got near the $180 million mark. Those other two records are probably dead to rights.

    Long term, I don't know if it will be able to keep roping in the dollars of a flick like Spiderman or Star Wars because Dark Knight won't have the kid audience as much but I do think -- if its as good as we're to believe -- Dark Knight will roll in repeat viewing money, as well as the IMAX angle.

    But opening weekend? No doubt it will set records. Midnight screening record, for sure, I think.
  • loner boner
    You wanna get nuts? Come on! Lets get nuts! $160 MILLION OR BUST!
  • MovieMogul
    131 million, meh....151 million.....small potatoes.

    Batman + Viral Marketing + Heath Ledger (RIP) + IMAX + Hype out the a$$=

    170 million +. Mark My words!!!

    I need to find a bookie :)
  • Lloyd
    I'm not going to work next Friday. Thank you direct deposit.
  • Mike
    I'm seeing the movie three times opening day.

    One midnight showing, one IMAX showing at 9am, and one showing later in the day.

    If this doesn't break Spiderman 3 in half, I'll be very sad.
  • Tippit
    $152 million, 1 million for each minute of The Dark Knight
  • charles
    I'm going to play it safe and say $100 million or more. I really don't care how much it makes as long as its a good film. Which it seems to be by the 100 % on Tomatoes and 97 on metacritic. Everyone needs to stop caring if its going to break records, we're not going to enjoy any of those profits.
  • matthew
    yeah, i agree that those numbers are insanely low. it is going to CRUSH spider-man 3. crush the living hell out of it. my office is taking a bus to go see it next friday at noon. i've never heard of any movie that got this many people so excited. cant wait.
  • The Enchanted One
    This movie is going to be big. It will shatter records. I say $170 million.
  • dvq
    im seeing it twice at the 18th, too bad Mexico doesnt count in those digits :P
  • Chase
    @ Charles

    I think the point in the speculation on box office is that in Hollywood, creative cycles are beholden to the dollar.

    To break that down: if TDK does crazy record breaking business, studios will take chances on material like it, which in turn bodes well for all of us, yeah?
  • Hunter Stephenson
    @ Chase

    Yeah mon.
  • 790
    Can some math genius figure this out for "Us"?

    First, add up how many possible viewings and seats (during the first 3 days), multiply that number by say 10. ($ticket) " average price" , and you should have your box office gross.

    There won't be any empty seats....

    I'm expecting 160+

    The Arklight Theater here in Sherman Oaks, gave their club members the chance to see an advanced screening on thurs night at 9, the tickets sold out in 20 minutes. This film is becoming a phenominon. ;-)
  • Larry Leonardo
    161 Million, MARK MY WORDS!
  • Adam B.
    If Spider-Man 3 can make $151 million opening weekend and suck complete donkey dick, then TDK is going to easily beat that number.
  • brandon boothe
    $170 million!!!!

    /Film's writing got me so pumped i want to start a big fire.
  • I took a week off work and I'm spending all my vacation pay on TDK. I will see it 3 times a day everyday for a week. If there's any money left.. I will buy my son some insulin.
  • Fost
    $200 million!!!!!!!!!! Mother f%@s!!!!!!! =D

    This is HUGE! I can't believe the atmosphere that Warner has created. I can't wait to see Ledger performance.
  • september11th
    if this doesnt beat spiderman 3, i will kill myself.
  • More than $130? That's nuts. I think it's too dark for massive mainstream appeal. I could be wrong, but i would bet against that. I'm guessing like $115.
  • Hunter Stephenson
    @ september 11th

    If....if....it doesn't, will you do it on /filmcast? If so, Jonny has a stockpile of remote control planes.
  • Chimaera
    If there is any justice in the world TDK will absolutely annihilate SM3. That movie sucked and I'm sorry I paid full price to see it but I will pay the $10+ dollars to see this in IMAX b/c I'm sure it will pwn it's competition no doubt.
  • @September 11th

    if it doesnt beat spiderman 3 ...

    I promise I will fly a plane into you.
  • Chimaera
    @ Hunter

    lol, I almost said the same thing but I was trying to be PC...damn my inner voice.
  • Chimaera
    @ jonny

    That just does not sound right...
  • The US government
    @Jonny

    You're gonna regret your said that on the interwebs.


    Expect a knock on your door in 3....2....1.
  • Hunter Stephenson
    @ Jonny

    Christ, I set you up and you botch it with some misplaced innuendo. You are the worst terrorist ever.
  • Chimaera
    You are the worst terrorist EVER. AHAHAHAHAHA. Ow, my side, lol.
  • nick
    spiderman 3 was a mistake
  • jonny
    @hunter

    You filthy commie bastard. How dare you set me up!
  • 790
    @September 11th

    If Hunters remote controlled planes don't take you down my thermite will.
  • THE WSEATHER ON THE EAST COAST WILL PLAY A LARGE PART. OF COURSE SPIDERMAN IS GOING DOWN. THEY HAVE THE RECORD AT 113...
    THE JOKER IS COMING MY GOOD FRIENDS , AND HE IS BRINGING THE PAIN.
    BY THE WAY- LETS FIGURE OUT , AS A WEIGHTED AVERAGE, WHAT IS THE GEOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN OF FILM/ (NO PUN INTENDED) BOX OFFICE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES.
    FOR EXAMPLE: AS A % OF TOTAL BOX OFFICE SALES YEAR TO DATE, THE BREAKDOWN IS AS FOLLWS:
    EAST COAST- 25%
    wEST COAST - 40%
    SOUTH- 15%
    MIDWEST- 20%
    THIS WOULD BE AN INTERESTING FIGURE, I AM SURE IT IS LOOKED AT, WHEN PROJECTIONS ARE MADE. REGARDLESS, LETS NOT SPOIL THE FILM TOO MUCH, BUT I APOLOGIZE BECAUSE YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB OF KEEPING A TIGHT SHIP.

    THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE HAVE ONE OF THE GREATES DIRECTORS OF OUR TIME, IF NOT THE MOST INNOVATIVE (PER MOMENTO, BATMAN BEGINS, DIRECTING TWO OF THE MOST REALISTIC (SEE KUBRICK SCHOOL DEFINITION), SERIOUS, AND MOST TALENTED ACTORS TO EVER LIVES-- BALE AND LEDGER.

    THROW IN ONE OF THE FUNNIEST AND TALENTED (SEE DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS AND THE PRESTIGE) ACTTORS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS IN MICHAEL CAINE,
    AN UP AND COMING AMERICAN ACTOR, ECKHART,

    A CULT LEGEND (SEE DREXEL, TRUE ROMANCE) AND AMAZING , CONSTANT PROFESSIONAL IN GARY OLDMAN,

    AND AMERICAN NARRATIVE ICON IN MORGAN FREEMAN

    AND YOU STIR THIS ALL TOGETHER TO FORM A MASTERPIECE.

    SOME PEOPLE LIVE FOR THEIR FAMILIES, SOME POEPLE LIVE FOR DEBAUCHERY, SOME PEOPLE LIVE FOR THJEIR CHILDREN...

    I LIVE FOR A FILM LIKE THIS ( AS DO MANY), IT IS WHAT BRINGS SMILES TO THE FACES OF MANY, TO HAVE A CHANCE, IN OUR LIUVES TO BE APRT OF THIS, TO PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER OF AN INCREDIBLE ART WORK. WE ARE ABOUT TO LIVE HISTORY AND IT IS TIME FOR THE JOKER TO GET WHAT HE DESRVES.. IT IS TIME TO BRING DOWN THE BATMAN AND LET HIM UNDERTSTAND WHAT PAIN IS ABOUT.

    THE PAIN IS COMING AND IT WILL BE JOKER TIME.... IN NO TIME.



    CMON!!!!!!!!!!,, HIT!!!!! ME!!!!!!

    HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAH
  • jonny
    @GAJONKA


    I think the wand you have clenched in your teeth that you use to type accidentally hit the caps lock button.
  • 790
    Gajonka , get over yourself.

    Your cap lock just screems micro penis.
  • boxofficemojo also has it listed as opening in 4300+ theaters, and anything over 4362 would be another record...

    The Dark Knight has to beat Spidermans record, 165M is my guess, and consider it doesn't have much competition until The Mummy arrives (and I cant see that being much competition), i think it will have great legs... 440M is my prediction for a final tally.
  • 790
    Oh yeah sorry I mispelled "Screams"
  • Hunter Stephenson
    @ gajonka

    So...according to your super annoying computer, $400 million three-day wke?
  • REAL6
    $162 Million!!!!
  • Carl Lee
    If we're seriously bidding, let's think about this for a sec.

    SP3 sold out how many midnight shows in IMAX? How many 3AM shows did it sell out? None... Oh. What about 6AM shows? None... ouch. Anticipating over 2 million in just IMAX, right? And how many theaters are running this for 72 hours straight? Over 200M with some work.

    My bid... over 600 Million when the dust settles.
  • salthegeek
    where does Matthew work and can i have a job ?
  • Jason
    it's not about the money... it's about the message
  • IAmTheBatman
    TEN TRILLIONBAJILLION DOLLARS
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