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'New Moon' wolfs down $140.7 million in the box office opening weekend
The latest smash hit in the "Twilight" vampire series drove a stake through the heart of its box office competition, scaring up Hollywood's third-biggest opening weekend of all time.
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" played on the teenage thirst for romance, hunky vampires and werewolves to score an estimated $140.7 million over its debut weekend.
"New Moon" came in just behind all-time leader "The Dark Knight," the Batman sequel that earned $158 million on its opening weekend and "Spider-Man 3," the second-biggest opener with $151 million.
The vampire flick eclipsed the previous third-place opener, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," which earned $136 million.
Opening day for "New Moon" even sucked in $70 million in sales, more than "The Dark Knight," which opened with $67 million.
The sequel revisits the dangerous romance between high school student Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, and lovelorn vampire Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson.
The couple's breakup in "New Moon" leads to a love triangle with Bella, Edward and a werewolf character.
Stewart and Pattinson have become XXX symbols whose real-life romance had young female fans lining up outside theaters.
"You know that everyone is crazy for Edward Cullen," said Rehana Hoque, 19, a City College student from Jamaica, Queens. "The theater is already packed with teenagers and moms and families."
Nayan Sharma, 32, a fashion designer who lives in Manhattan, said the magnetism between the lead actors will lure to her to the sequel.
"I really like the vampire," Sharma said. "I like the chemistry between him and Bella, so I'm going to see what happens next."
With "New Moon" running away with the box office crown, a football drama starring Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side," was No.2 at the box office.
It earned $34.5 million and also drew mostly female fans to the real-life story of Baltimore Ravens tackle Michael Oher.
Young males are the backbone of Hollywood business, so it's unusual for two flicks aimed at women to lead the list.
"To have two movies with huge appeal for women result in the second-biggest nonholiday weekend ever is amazing," said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com.
Last weekend's top movie, "2012," slipped to third place with $26.5 million. Another new release, the animated feature "Planet 51," was No. 4 with $12.6 million.
