LOS ANGELES -- Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" smashed another record Sunday, breaking the mark for the highest take at North American box offices on a film's second weekend, after its unprecedented $158.4 million debut last weekend, Hollywood figures showed.
According to estimates by theater sales tracker Exhibitor Relations, "The Dark Knight" added another $75.6 million to its take on the Friday-Sunday period in US and Canadian theaters, upping its two-week total to an unparalleled $314.2 million.
Director Christopher Nolan's follow-up to 2005's "Batman Begins," with Christian Bale in the lead and the late Heath Ledger the villainous Joker, topped the previous second-weekend record of "Shrek 2", after having a week earlier beaten the debut weekend mark of "Spider-Man 3".
The film is helped by the buzz over Ledger's performance, who died of an accidental drug overdose in New York in January, with many industry experts speculating that he may win a rare posthumous Oscar.
Far back in second place was "Step Brothers," a Will Farrell-starring comedy of two middle-aged men still living at home when their respective widowed parents meet and get married.
On its opening weekend "Step Brothers," directed by Adam McKay, sold an even $30 million in tickets on the weekend, Exhibitor Relations said.
Third was the ABBA musical "Mamma Mia" with a take of $17.9 million in its second weekend, followed in fourth by "The X-Files: I Want to Believe," which took in $10.2 million on its opening weekend.
In fifth place was "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D," which earned $9.4 million in its third week.
Rounding out the top ten were the Will Smith action flick "Hancock," earning $8.2 million to take its four-week total to $206.4 million; the acclaimed animation "Wall-E," $6.4 million for a five week take of $195.2 million; "Hellboy II" ($4.9 million); "Space Chimps" ($4.4 million); and "Wanted" ($2.7 million).
With the record contribution on "The Dark Knight," Exhibitor Relations said that movie theater ticket sales so far this year hit 5.84 billion, virtually the same as last year's figure at the same time.
