Jaime Trueblood/ DreamWorks PicturesWhen you're up there with The Dark Knight, you're way up there.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen grossed an estimated $16 million in midnight screenings early today. The not-unexpected monster take, which does not include business from 3 a.m. screenings that were added to meet demand, is the third-biggest after only Star Wars—Episode III: Revenge of the Sith ($16.5 million) and The Dark Knight ($18.5 million).
"I think it's definitely sets the precedent that we are looking at a giant blockbuster," box-office analyst Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations said today.
If Revenge of the Fallen can come up with another $28.2 million today, it'll tie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as the all-time biggest Wednesday opener ($44 million). And if it manages another $51.2 million, it'll match Hollywood's all-time biggest single-day gross, pulling even with—wait for it—The Dark Knight ($67 million).