Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 has posted the biggest box office opening day in history after grossing more than $7 million.
The final installment in the eight-part movie series is set to break records around the world, with a record number of theatres ready to show the the film across North America. The film has already grossed $US43.6 million outside of North America, according to Box Office Mojo.
The previous biggest Australian opening day record was $6.28 million, recorded by the final film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Return of the King. (However, if adjusted for inflation, The Return of the King would still hold the record with an estimated $7.64 million).
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the first 3D film – which attract higher ticket prices – to break into the top 10, although a short section of Part 1 was also shown in 3D in a small number of cinemas.
Australian effects companies Rising Sun Pictures and Animal Logic both worked on the film.
The box office result is a welcome boost for cinema owners, with the total box office expected to fall by about 5 per cent this year according to Deutsche Bank estimates.
Source: MPDAA