The new "Twilight" vampire movie opened with a massive more than 283 million dollars (USD) in worldwide ticket sales over the weekend as passionate fans filled theaters for the beginning of a two-part finale for the hugely popular supernatural love story.
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1" captured an estimated 139.5 million in the United States and Canada. That ranked as the fifth biggest domestic opening of all time.
The movie's performance beat studio forecasts for the film, which shows young lovestruck human Bella wedding vampire Edward and becoming pregnant.
The "Twilight" phenomenon overshadowed all other movies over the weekend. Dancing penguin sequel "Happy Feet Two" earned 22 million, below studio forecasts for the 3D animated film.
The action movie "Immortals," last weekend's box-office leader, finished in third place. While the comedy "Jack and Jill," starring Adam Sandler playing a brother and sister, rounded out the top four.
Actress Mila Kunis kept her word, when she accompanied Sgt. Scott Moore to the 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball over the weekend. The actress had promised to attend the ball as Moore's date after he returned from heavy fighting in Afghanistan.
John Russell, Reuters.