Summit Entertainment’s The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 earned an impressive $72 million on Friday in North American theaters, the third-biggest opening day and single day ever behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 ($91.1 million) and The Twilight Saga: New Moon ($72.7 million). The film also grossed $66 million Wednesday through Friday internationally.
“New Moon” went on to earn $142.8 million for the weekend two years ago, and “Breaking Dawn – Part 1” is also projected to open at about $140 million. The Bill Condon-directed film debuted with $30.25 million at midnight Thursday/Friday.
The other newcomer, Warner Bros.’ Happy Feet Two, earned just $5.9 million on Friday and is expected to open at about $22 million for the weekend. That’s quite a drop from the first film’s opening of $41.5 million weekend. We’re guessing the moms that took their children to the first film were busy seeing “Twilight” instead.
