娱乐英语新闻:New Harry Potter film earns more than $100 mln in first day

LOS ANGELES, July 16 (Xinhua) -- "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" brought in more than 100 million dollars in its first full day in release and broke two box office records in the process, Warner Bros. Pictures announced on Thursday.

    The sixth film in the "Harry Potter" franchise made 22.2 million dollars during its Wednesday midnight opening, eclipsing the studio's own record set last year by "The Dark Knight," according to Warner Bros. Pictures.

Actors James (L) and Oliver Phelps pose during a photocall to promote the film "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" in Madrid July 12, 2009

The latest Potter installment also set a worldwide opening day box office record with a domestic gross of 58.18 million dollars and international totals of 45.85 million, combining for a one-day global box office gross of more than 104 million, according to Warner Bros..

    "With many countries yet to open, these already outstanding box office numbers are another testament to the universal appeal of J.K. Rowling's stories and the remarkable work of everyone behind the Harry Potter films," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, president of Warner Bros.

    "The Half-Blood Prince," which cost Warners Bros. about 400 million dollars to make, could gross more than its two latest predecessors with its broader PG (parental guidance) rate. The fourth and fifth Potter films were rated PG-13.

    The previous Potter film, "the Order of the Phoenix," grossed 292 million dollars in North America and worldwide 938.2 million dollars two years ago. The new Potter film debuts this week in all major foreign markets.

    The seventh and final book of J.K. Rowling's fantasy novel series is being split into two film adaptations, slated to be released in November 2010 and July 2011 respectively.