We have an updated estimate for the midnight screenings of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Projections put the box office gross at a massive $22.2 million in revenue in 3,003 theaters, nearly $4 million more than The Dark Knight's previous record, and an indication that Half-Blood Prince could be on its way to an all-time single day record. That figure stands at $67,165,092 (again Dark Knight currently leads the way). That would require another $45 million in ticket sales through the rest of today, and a quick comparison with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen shows how reasonable that goal is.

Revenge of the Fallen earned $16 million in midnight screenings and $46 million during the rest of the day to compile its $62 million opening day. So Half-Blood Prince could perform worse through the rest of today and still top Dark Knight.

The Batman movie, meanwhile, earned $18.5 million at midnight and then $48.5 million through the rest of the day.

Date posted: 2009-07-15