Third time’s the charm for ‘Rings’
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” set a Wednesday opening record of $34.1 million, including an estimated $8 million for Tuesday midnight previews of Peter Jackson’s trilogy wrap, New Line Cinema reported Thursday.
“Return” numbers eclipsed the previous Wednesday record set by George Lucas’ “Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace,” which took in $28.5 million for its opening on May 19, 1999.
“Spider-Man’s” Friday, May 3, 2002, debut of $39.4 million remains the biggest opening day, and that film’s second-day tally of $43.6 million holds the record for biggest single-day gross, according to the box office tracker Boxofficemojo.com.
The opening bodes well for the conclusion of the adventures of Aragorn and Company, which appears to be on track to surpass the first two installments. “The Fellowship of the Ring” took in $18.2 million on Dec. 19, 2001, and “The Two Towers” grossed $26.1 million, including previews.
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R. Kinsey Lowe
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