Dark Knight Brings Bright Light

The Dark Knight brings a bright light to the box office this weekend. The economy may be slow but movie sales were high for the Batman Movie. The weekend movies produced Dark Knight sales of $155.34 million and the number two movie coming in at over $125 million dollars less at $27.6 million was Mamma Mia!. Monday the dollar figures may change slightly after a total tally.

According to 'Dark Knight' sets weekend record with $155.34M 2007 Spider - Man 3 sales were the top to beat at $151.1 million in its first weekend. Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., is predicting Dark Knight to surpass $200 million by the end of the week. Spider - Man 3 had more sales with an average ticket costing $6.88 but an average ticket for the Dark Knight cost $7.08. So in the long run Spider Man wins over Batman as a favorite since more tickets were sold.

For months Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in the Dark Knight has been talked about. Heath Ledger died in January from an accidental prescription drug overdose. His performance as Batman's arch enemy, the Joker, has been rumored to possibly lead the actor to earn an Academy Award nomination despite his death. The movie had a lot of hype to live up to.

Director of The Dark Knight Christopher Nolan is reunited with Christian Bale who worked with Nolan on Batman Begins.

Mamma Mia! opened in second place at $27.6 million. This was supposed to be the chick flick to counter attack the male population watching the Dark Knight. The musical features Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, and Christine Baranski. Mamma Mia! is set to the tunes of ABBA.

What female can resist a movie with the likes of Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan in it? The ticket sales show the musical was definitely not a favorite but nothing to sneeze at either. You have to take into account that the Dark Knight will not only bring in the male viewers but also children over six or eight years old. Everyone loves a super hero like Batman.