So The Dark Knight had the biggest midnight gross ever. So The Dark Knight had the biggest opening weekend of all-time. So The Dark Knight was released in the greatest amount of theaters in history. So The Dark Knight was the quickest movie to clear $400 million (in 18 days). So it’s been #1 in the box office for three straight weeks. So… what’s next? The Dark Knight is in the rearview mirror of the one big ship that was told it could never sink… Titanic. It’s almost certain it should pass the #2 slot, which is held by Star Wars that made $461 million, but the question is whether it can topple over the great Titanic?
Titanic’s reign as the highest grossing film in America with $601 is spectacular. Put these numbers into perspective: The number two film on the domestic gross list is Star Wars at $140 million less… Titanic’s record has been around for over ten years, not even the new Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek, Lord of the Rings, or Spider-Man franchises could come close… Titanic’s opening weekend only made $29 million, its following weeks grossed a lot more… Titanic was in theaters for about 9 months (from December 21, 1997 – September 20, 1998).
So throwing in my two cents with this issue… I don’t think The Dark Knight will break Titanic’s record. It should be the only film to bring in $500 domestically, but reaching $600 million is a whole new level. Titanic had the amazing lasting power, of course from the teenage girls who couldn’t get enough of the romance with Leonardo DiCaprio, but also from the benefit of going through its run during the Academy Awards in February where it racked up 11 wins. Everything went right for Titanic. The Dark Knight has an uphill battle if it’s going to make a serious run at the record. Fanboys are flocking to IMAX and theaters to watch the film more than once, but how much staying power does this dark film have? We’ll find out in the weeks to come.
Titanic’s record will be broken one day, that is for sure… I’m just not sure whether it’ll be soon, or until the price for a ticket is $20.
NOTE: Adjusted for inflation, Gone with the Wind holds the all-time record with accumulating $1.4 billion domestically. Titanic ranks in at number 6, according to Box Office Mojo.
Posted by Rob Eng 
