AfterDawn: News

Dark Knight already looks like a blockbuster based on pre-sales

According to MovieTickets.com pre-sales tickets for 'The Dark Knight' are more popular than three of the best performers in the website's history. The sequel to 'Batman Begins' has sold more than three times as many tickets as 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' had with the same amount of time to go before release. It's also sold more than twice as many as 'Spider-Man 3,' and nearly doubled 'Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.'

Just in New York and Los Angeles there are already more than 150 sold out performances in New York and Los Angeles alone and is scheduled for more than 1,300 midnight showings which are listed on the MovieTickets.com website.



In a survey they conducted more than 90% of moviegoers ages 34 and under expressed interest in seeing the movie, as did nearly 80% of those between 35 and 44, and even 2/3 between the ages of 45 and 59.

I guess we can stop feeling sorry for the movie studios and all the money they're losing from piracy.

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 15 Jul 2008 14:32

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• 24 comments

• goodswipe

  I doubt it 7th. I'm going to be seeing it at the IMAX - I can't wait!
  

  
  
  "I hope Newbies that come across your signature bar do not become intimated and decide this forum is for wisecracks and stick to other ones." -ofield

  15.7.2008 09:48 #1

• SProdigy

  I doubt it will bomb. It's not often that Time, EW, etc. give an action movie a decent rating, plus all the Oscar talk for Ledger before it's even released. But then again, what do critics know?
  
  I just rewatched Batman Begins the other night and forgot how damn good the storytelling was in that one. Now, let's just cross our fingers that the studio execs don't screw with Nolan's vision going into Part 3 in the same way they did with Spider-Man, or else we're going to have Robin and Batgirl all over again...

  15.7.2008 10:40 #2

• 7thsinger

  I know i intend on seeing it.
  
  Everyone wants to see it...i wonder if it'll be a big disappointment.

  15.7.2008 14:43 #3

• 7thsinger

  I sure hope not, 'cause i'm actually pretty psyched up to see it too.
  

  
  
  Learn To Backup DVDs Here
  And Here.

  15.7.2008 14:54 #4

• goodswipe

  Originally posted by 7thsinger: I sure hope not, 'cause i'm actually pretty psyched up to see it too.Hmm, I know you posted before me and my previous post is at the top. What's up with that? Is it just me or do you see that as well?
  

  
  
  "I hope Newbies that come across your signature bar do not become intimated and decide this forum is for wisecracks and stick to other ones." -ofield

  15.7.2008 14:57 #5

• emugamer

  Same here. A must see. Combine the critics buzz about Heath's phenomenal performance with a morbid fascination people have with the dead and you can't lose. I can't remember the last time a movie was this hot before release.

  15.7.2008 15:01 #6

• goodswipe

  Originally posted by emugamer: Same here. A must see. Combine the critics buzz about Heath's phenomenal performance with a morbid fascination people have with the dead and you can't lose. I can't remember the last time a movie was this hot before release.I remember having to stand in a line for a few hours to see the first X-Men. I'm sure this will be the same way and 20 times better.
  

  
  
  "I hope Newbies that come across your signature bar do not become intimated and decide this forum is for wisecracks and stick to other ones." -ofield

  15.7.2008 15:08 #7

• Moomoo2

  I've been noticing some strange post issues is other threads too. Hmm?
  
  And yeah, I am definitely seeing DK at an opening midnight showing. Woo!

  15.7.2008 15:18 #8

• 7thsinger

  Originally posted by goodswipe: Originally posted by emugamer: Same here. A must see. Combine the critics buzz about Heath's phenomenal performance with a morbid fascination people have with the dead and you can't lose. I can't remember the last time a movie was this hot before release.I remember having to stand in a line for a few hours to see the first X-Men. I'm sure this will be the same way and 20 times better.I did the same thing, and loved it. Hopefully, this will be the same way.
  
  As far as the wrong post times screwing with the order, Creaky's already let admin know. It's been happening all morning.
  

  
  
  Learn To Backup DVDs Here
  And Here.

  15.7.2008 15:19 #9

• khmernize

  I hope they would make only Batman movies and not include Robin or Batgirl. Last time that happen, it was to embarassing to watch.

  15.7.2008 16:15 #10

• DVDBack23

  These numbers seem right, tried buying IMAX tickets for it 3 weeks ago (NYC) and all sold out from Thursday-Monday, all showings except 2 am

  15.7.2008 18:10 #11

• SProdigy

  Quote:Originally posted by SProdigy: I doubt it will bomb. It's not often that Time, EW, etc. give an action movie a decent rating, plus all the Oscar talk for Ledger before it's even released. But then again, what do critics know?
  
  I just rewatched Batman Begins the other night and forgot how damn good the storytelling was in that one. Now, let's just cross our fingers that the studio execs don't screw with Nolan's vision going into Part 3 in the same way they did with Spider-Man, or else we're going to have Robin and Batgirl all over again...The prologue made it even more enticing for me personally. Thank goodness they decided to clean up this series. After the first one, they were just ridiculous.Right on! I just watched the Keaton/Nicholson Batman, and Jack was dead on. I know Ledger is going for a dark, creepy and sinister version, and will be a stark contrast that should add more depth to the series.
  
  My only regret about the 4 earlier movies is that Nicholson didn't get any nominations for Oscar (come on, he was that good) and that I didn't get to see what was under Phieffer's Catwoman costume!

  15.7.2008 18:24 #12

• Azuran

  I'm all for this movie don't get me wrong. But I refuse to wait hours in line like a ride at disneyland and then be crammed in a packed theater for ANY movie. Ill go see it a week after and avoid the mobscene.

  15.7.2008 19:32 #13

• philipman

  looks like a great movie but I think that im going to wait a week or so to see it. I hate big crowds of people

  15.7.2008 19:41 #14

• emugamer

  Originally posted by SProdigy: I doubt it will bomb. It's not often that Time, EW, etc. give an action movie a decent rating, plus all the Oscar talk for Ledger before it's even released. But then again, what do critics know?
  
  I just rewatched Batman Begins the other night and forgot how damn good the storytelling was in that one. Now, let's just cross our fingers that the studio execs don't screw with Nolan's vision going into Part 3 in the same way they did with Spider-Man, or else we're going to have Robin and Batgirl all over again...The prologue made it even more enticing for me personally. Thank goodness they decided to clean up this series. After the first one, they were just ridiculous.

  15.7.2008 21:07 #15

• c1c

  I must say that I was able to go to a prescreening of this film, and I hate to ruin it but Heath Ledger dies in the end.

  16.7.2008 02:48 #16

• LOCOENG

  Originally posted by c1c: I must say that I was able to go to a prescreening of this film, and I hate to ruin it but Heath Ledger dies in the end.Now why would you post a spoiler like that?
  
  I think the movie will be huge. I'm not a big fan of the Batman series, but this one should be pretty big. I think a lot of the hype surrounding this movie is due to the mystique of Heath Ledgers real life passing.
  

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  16.7.2008 07:21 #17

• 7thsinger

  Thanks for ruining it c1c.
  
  I agree that's Heath Ledger's passing has probably added to the lure of this film.
  
  I won't be fighting crowds to see it though. I'll wait a week.
  

  
  
  Learn To Backup DVDs Here
  And Here.

  16.7.2008 09:06 #18

• Hyasuma

  I will wait to go see it. I hate crowded ppl, last time I watched "Hancock" on the opening night (11 pm), fudging ppl behind me and my buddies just keep on talking jack, did not stop through out the movie, making fun of Jet Li how he said Fearless was his last movie and he is making The Mummy, i was so about to turn around and yell at them and said "Jet li said that he is making his last movie for himself! He is just going to be Co working with other star u fudging jack arse!, get ur source straight!" but i didnt, but they were making fun of the movie thorugh out, and this is one reason why i would not go on a opening night, because no one knows how to appreciate to be quiet at the movie theatre.

  16.7.2008 10:18 #19

• ikari

  Originally posted by c1c: I must say that I was able to go to a prescreening of this film, and I hate to ruin it but Heath Ledger dies in the end.Can't tell if you are actually trying to spoil the movie or make a tasteless joke about the actual passing of Heath Ledger. Either way not cool! /rant /ot
  
  I am super excited about this movie. Seeing that everyone else is posting here to and pre-sales data, I hope this movie is not a let down. Even if it is 50% of what Batman Begins was I would still enjoy it.

  16.7.2008 11:38 #20

• hendrix04

  If you don't want to fight big crowds, go to a theater that has assigned seating, then you can walk in at the last minute and get a good seat ;)

  16.7.2008 12:30 #21

• HDNow

  I will wait for the Bluray and watch on my 1080p projector.
  
  No big noisy crowds.
  
  This will sell huge numbers on bluray and so will Iron Man.
  
  The BluRay of dark Knight will have the IMax sequences.
  
  http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/07/17/exp...ces-on-blu-ray/

  17.7.2008 08:46 #22

• Lee_asdf

  Saw it yesterday, It did not disappoint. Not in the least. The commercials used everything out of context and made a thrilling bit of TV, but the clips had an entirely different meaning within the film. Most movies do this I guess.

  19.7.2008 17:03 #23

• emugamer

  Originally posted by Lee_asdf: Saw it yesterday, It did not disappoint. Not in the least. The commercials used everything out of context and made a thrilling bit of TV, but the clips had an entirely different meaning within the film. Most movies do this I guess.Saw it last night too. All I can say is WOW (not world of warcraft...lol). Definitely a bluray purchase for me. This is the type of movie I've been waiting for a long time. And I'll even buy "Begins" on bluray now.

  20.7.2008 12:35 #24