Making motion picture history in its opening weekend, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures The Dark Knight rewrote the box office record books, beginning with its first showings and culminating with a record-shattering weekend gross of $158.4 million. 

Fueled by strong reviews and positive word of mouth, The Dark Knight toppled multiple records in its opening frame.  The weekend box office total broke the previous overall industry opening weekend record by $7 million. 

Earlier in the weekend, Dark Knight had broken records with its first 12:01 a.m. showings, totaling $18.5 million. We knew The Dark Knight was something remarkable and it is incredibly gratifying that critics and audiences wholeheartedly agree,” Dan Fellman, president of Domestic Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, said in a statement.  “Regardless of the anticipation leading up to this weekend, the fact remains that this level of success could not have been achieved if the film did not deliver.  It does, on every front and with all audiences, which is a tribute to the amazing work of the filmmakers and the entire cast. We congratulate them on the start of what promises to be a great run.

On the international front, Dark Knight launched in 20 countries, including Australia, Mexico and Brazil, grossing $41.3 million, almost tripling the opening of Batman Begins in the same markets.We are delighted with this spectacular start and look forward to a long and successful run, Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, Warner’s president of International Distribution, said in a statement.  “The film will continue to roll out internationally over the coming weeks, including the bigger territories of Italy on July 23, Holland on July 24, the UK on July 25, Korea on August 7, Japan on August 9, Spain and France on August 13, and Germany on August 21.