‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ grosses strong $8.1 million Thursday night

The mutants of “X-Men” were anything but muted Thursday night.

Director Bryan Singer’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” grossed a studio-estimated $8.1 million in ticket sales from Thursday night showings in 2,900 theaters starting at 10 p.m.

That’s a strong start for the $200-million movie, the seventh in the “X-Men” series, which is expected to take in $100 million or more over the four-day Memorial Day weekend in its domestic debut, according to people who’ve seen pre-release audience surveys.

Last week, the big-budget hit “Godzilla” generated $9.3 million from its Thursday night launch, which started at 7 p.m. That movie went on to gross $93 million in its first three days. “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” debuted with $8.7 million from Thursday night showings that started at 8 p.m. on its way to a $92-million three-day debut.

Last year’s Memorial Day weekend blockbuster “Fast & Furious 6” opened at 10 p.m. and grossed $6.5 million on its premiere Thursday and went on to $117 million in ticket sales from the four-day weekend.