Variety reports that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince grossed an estimated $20 million at midnight screenings last night. If that number holds, it will set a new record for the biggest gross from midnight screenings, topping the $18 million earned by The Dark Knight last year. It's also streets ahead of the $12 million picked up by The Order of the Phoenix two year ago. If the new release maintains this pace, it should comfortably top $200 million by the end of the weekend, and beat Dark Knight's five-day record of $203.7 million. We'll keep you posted on news as we get it.

Date posted: 2009-07-15