‘Transformers 2′ Strikes with $16 Million Midnights

According to a number of sources, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen assaulted about 3,000 theaters on Tuesday night to the tune of $16 million. That’s the third biggest midnight bow in history behind The Dark Knight ($18.5 million) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith ($16.9 million). The Dark Knight ultimately flew to a record shattering opening day of $67.2 million while Sith rang up $50 million, which was a record at the time. Sith opened on a Thursday in the middle of May when most schools are in session while The Dark Knight opened on a Friday in the middle of summer. The Wednesday opening will prevent Transformers from coming close to taking down the Caped Crusader, but because most kids are out of schools for the summer, the opening day should rocket past Sith. The current champ for the largest Wednesday is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with $44.2 million, a number which Transformers should easily destroy. $55 million is the target for Optimus Prime and the gang.

Box Office Data Sources: Box Office Mojo and The Numbers

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