ROTTEN TOMATOES: Twilight Headed for $30 Million Opening Day

Twilight Headed for $30 Million Opening Day

Summit's vampire romance could leap past $60M projections.

by Jen Yamato | November 21, 2008

We all knew it would be big. Thousands of screaming teenage girls couldn't be wrong, right? After a reported $7 million in sales of early midnight screenings, Summit Entertainment's vampire romance Twilight looks to be headed for the big opening weekend the studio was hoping for, as pundits project a $30 million opening day take.

According to Variety, Twilight's huge first day performance could mean weekend sales well into the $60 million range -- or beyond. Online ticket seller Fandango sold out of 1,000 midnight shows Thursday and reports that the PG-13 romance has become their #3 Advance Ticket Seller, ahead of all Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Pirates movies and trailing only The Dark Knight and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Click above for stills from Twilight

What's more, by early Friday morning Twilight had been selling tickets at a rate of five per second, according to Fandango.

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen) and adapted from Stephenie Meyer's novel of the same name, Twilight's success could mean that the next of two optioned sequels based on the subsequent chapters in Meyer's four-book saga are a lock. Twilight is currently holding steady at 43 percent on the Tomatometer. Read Twilight reviews and news here.

Curious for more on Twilight? Learn who's a vampire and who's human in RT's Twilight Character Guide, and find out what Twilight star Robert Pattinson names his favorite films of all time in our Five Favorite Films with Robert Pattinson.

Click above for images from the Twilight premiere

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(1-20 of 68 posts) | Reply

Archarugen writes:
on Nov 21 2008 06:44 PM

I see Twilight as having a lot of similarities to Eragon.

Both book series are of debatable quality, and by debatable, I mean that overall opinion towards both book series is mixed.

Thus, Eragon's film box office might mirror Twilight's somewhat.
Eragon grossed approximately $75 million in the US and $173.9 million elsewhere, totalling $249 million worldwide. Not exactly a blockbuster, and because it didn't pass its overall budget, it wasn't considered a success.

Twilight the movie will probably profit simply because it cost so little to make.

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blattman writes:
on Nov 21 2008 07:16 PM

This seems to be the fangirls biggest outing since Titanic, and we all know how that one turned out. Girls have been drooling over this one for months. It was a guarenteed success.

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DeathByTeabag writes:
on Nov 21 2008 07:34 PM

it will make mch more than 75 million in just the US ...maybe swicth the two numbers

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jordanj1988 writes:
on Nov 21 2008 08:31 PM

In reply to this comment (#2143629)
i agree. if early projections are any indication it could make as much as 75 million in its opening weekend and probably finish at around 200 million. if you factor in the huge international following it could do twice that worldwide.

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kaitune writes:
on Nov 21 2008 09:00 PM

I almost didn't reserve my ticket in times (I am seeing it for my mom who is a fan of the book), and after the film ended, many audiences seemed satisfied enough to see it again. I think this film will do really well. I would be really surprise if it gets any less than $60 million in the opening week.

By the way... Well, the film isn't good (but I guess everyone here probably knows that) However, I found myself enjoying the film more than I though I would (especially considering that I don't like the book much) even though it is somewhat a guilty pleasure. When I watched Eragon, every single moment was totally dull and I didn't enjoy a single moment. I would kill anyone who makes me seeing the film again. For Twilight, as I said, I did enjoy it (even though it is probably because I haved prepare my mind to see what I was going to see) If someone wants me to see the film again, I won't mind much (but it is highly preferable if they pay the ticket's cost)

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AntonChigurh writes:
on Nov 21 2008 09:01 PM

It will defenatly be one of the years top grossing films.

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Brittany M. writes:
on Nov 21 2008 09:27 PM

I think extrapolating from the opening day numbers is a mistake. With the most recent Twilight book, of the 2.7 million copies which have sold since early August, fully half were sold on opening day. Of course it did big first day business, but pretty much everyone who was interested in seeing this movie saw it today. There will likely be decent repeat business, though I've heard some surprisingly negative reactions from fans, so we'll see.

As I said elsewhere, if all 2.7 million people who stuck with the series to the end buy a movie ticket, at $10 per cap, that's a $27M take. And lo and behold, $30M on day one. Tells you exactly who's seeing this one.

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Jennifer W. writes:
on Nov 21 2008 09:46 PM

As psychotically obsessive as this might sound, Twilight was one of the best movies I have ever seen in my 21 years of life. Anyone who says otherwise, clearly did not read even the first book. Its really sad how the majority of people who are trying to tear down Twilight are those people who like i said, DID NOT read the book, and probably didnt even pick up one of the books when walking by. Without reading the books, it is nearly impossible to understand the feelings between Edward and Bella. There is no sense of what Bella is thinking in the movie, because it is all told flat out in the books (which are from Bella's perspective).
And as for people who said that this movie wasnt memorable, I beg to differ. I've read all four books cover to cover and know everything that is going to happen to the Cullen's, Bella, and Jacob, and I can honestly say I still plan on seeing the movie again. It was phenomenal, and Romeo doesn't have **** on Edward Cullen. The movie is about love, not scary vampires who are going to get repelled by garlic or kill by a wooden stake, its a love story, if anyone read the book they would know that and think differently about the movie.

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sara j. writes:
on Nov 21 2008 10:27 PM

i read all the books because i got them as a gift from my twilight fan of a bestie and i loved them i could barely put the book down and the movie was just as good to people who say it wont gross well because most fans have already seen it a lot more people will see it because 1,all the hype and the huge fan base is bound to attract viewers 2,its a good family movie to take the kids to it checks all the boxes rated pg, not to scary, enough action to keep children entertained and humor and 3, think about it most fans will see the movie some more then once they would probably take family and friends both times thats already about 50m in movie tickets and not to mention people who fit into 1 and 2 who will probbaly see it as well also to all the people who wrote bad reviews get off your high horse it was a great movie fan or not i would have loved it so lay off its a romance movie sure its got horror and action but their in the backseat so stop going on and on that theres not enough horror or action or thats there to much romances because in essance its a romance movie and if you cant grasp that then you missed the whole point of the movie and if you write a review and havent got the full picture your being lazy if you read the book and saw the movie you would know its going to be a classic

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josh d. writes:
on Nov 21 2008 10:31 PM

As Jennifer W. put it, you guys are crazy. I would say you cant judge a book by its cover, but most of you havent given the book a chance. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about your perceptions. Its like fighting a losing battle. Those of you that are bashing "Twilight" are probably the same people who were against Harry Potter. "Worst books ever..... worst movies ever..... wizards? stupid". Yeah, look where that turned up. I will admit, several months ago when "Breaking Dawn" was being released, I was on the other side of this arguement. But once you read the first few pages of "Twilight", you are hooked. Untill you have done that, then I suppose you will think this movie is absolutely terrible. However, I do believe the first few posters neither read the book, or saw the movie. I say, go watch the film with an open mind. I thought the movie was excellent!

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julie T. writes:
on Nov 21 2008 10:53 PM

The movie sucked....The books were AWESOME!!!

I hope they get different make-up people and different directors, etc.

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krystal h. writes:
on Nov 21 2008 11:17 PM

If you use cliffs notes on a regular basis,you'll love this movie. I,however still have a working brain and found this movie horrible in almost every way. I read all of these books and I felt like the movie left out so much that made the books excellent.AN INSULT TO THE FANS OF THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe the release of the new Harry Potter movie was pushed back for a reason--so they could actually put together a movie worthy of their fans.Take It AS A Tip MEYER----SELL-OUT$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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ArtsAngel writes:
on Nov 21 2008 11:22 PM

Lol. I think it's funny how all the fangirls are rushing in saying 'how dare you all dismiss the books when you haven't even read them!!!'

From what I can see above, NOBODY here is actually saying anything biased and opinionated about the books at all. There's no Twilight bashing going on. Is it some sort of default reaction that you lot have to come in and scream defensively whenever something about Twilight is posted? :p

Calm down :)

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Kate H. writes:
on Nov 21 2008 11:52 PM

@krystal h
First of all I think there is no need to insult peoples intelligence who actually enjoyed the movie. Secondly, you claim to be a fan of the books, and yet you call the author a sell out. I just have three things to say:
1.)Meyer wasn't responsible for the movie the director was
2.)Many fans of Harry Potter feel betrayed that the movie has been pushed back, and many feel that it was done to make a larger summer profit.
3.)There is no need for hostility, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but portraying it in a way that brings down others is not necessary.

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Angelin writes:
on Nov 22 2008 12:23 AM

I just wanted to say that I LOVED the movie...yes I know they left out some good parts of the book and it was more "Emo" then I liked but I thought that it was good and I can't wait for them to make more..I will be buying this when it comes out on DVD. I will go see this movie again.
I also think that you do have to read the books to really understand parts of the movie.

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t1111t writes:
on Nov 22 2008 01:10 AM

I'll risk the inevitable name-calling and admit that I've read Twilight and have seen the movie all the while being a straight male. I didn't like either and it wasn't because I'm a guy and hate chick flicks and "girly" novels. I wouldn't care if the aforementioned were well made and written. The Twilight book and movie, respectively, are neither. I'll stay on the movie considering that's the main topic.

ONLY the people who have read and enjoyed the book will enjoy the movie. I can't see any appeal to a non-fan that the movie brings. It's not funny, there's no banter between the leads, and most importantly, the romance seems to be based on the two characters' love for being in love. A movie based on the theme of love for the sake of love could be interesting but Twilight is not that movie. The vampire element would make any diehard vampire/Whedon follower beg to be sucked dry of their blood. The action set at the end was both boring and predictable. The acting, outside of Kristen Stewart and Billy Burke, ranged from laughable to downright atrocious (I'm talking to you, Cedric).

I repeat: there is nothing appealing in this movie to make a non-fan want to read the source material, which is also considerably awful.

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SuckitBaby writes:
on Nov 22 2008 02:11 AM

F TWILIGHT!!! Im so sick and tired of the hype surrounding what looks like an utter piece of sh-it!! The stars, writer and director have never made a good movie! Hardwicke is a horrible director! This movie should burn in hell for eternity!!

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SuckitBaby writes:
on Nov 22 2008 02:12 AM

F TWILIGHT!!! Im so sick and tired of the hype surrounding what looks like an utter piece of sh-it!! The stars, writer and director have never made a good movie! Hardwicke is a horrible director! This movie should burn in hell for eternity!!

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tfortier writes:
on Nov 22 2008 02:28 AM

I love garlic though...

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K T. writes:
on Nov 22 2008 03:36 AM

I loved the books, did not like the movie. If you did not read the book, I think the movie would have been difficult to understand. Bella's character played by Stewart fell short in my opinion. Too many short scenes did not tell the full story. The whole script just didn't work and many performances fell short. It is a shame, because it didn't do the book justice and hopefully any sequels that are planned will be canceled.

(Reply to this)

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