Local movie theaters are filling the seats with fans anxious to see "The Dark Knight Rises."
At 12:01 am Friday morning, the Rogers 18 Theater had a record night, selling out five full theaters for midnight showings of the latest flick in the Batman saga.
Mike Muller, general manager of Rogers 18, estimated the theater sold about 1,400 to 1,500 tickets for midnight showings. "The Dark Knight Rises" also garnered a record number of advance ticket sales online for the theater.
If national ticket sales live up to the estimates, "The Dark Knight Rises" could bring in nearly $200 million this weekend. The Huffington Post is already reporting that the film made upwards of $30 million just from midnight showings.
If that figure holds, it would be the third biggest midnight premiere ever behind only the last "Twilight" movie "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" and the final Harry Potter moview - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
"The Dark Knight Rises" is playing on multiple screens at Rogers 18. Muller expects big crowds throughout the weekend.
Jennifer Anderson reporting
janderson@twelve.tv
July 20, 2012