“The Dark Knight” debuted with a record $158.4 million

“The Dark Knight” debuted with a record $158.4 million, up $3.1 million from studio estimates of $155.3 million earlier.

“The Dark Knight“, starring Christian Bale, surpassed Hollywood’s previous best opening weekend of $151.1 million set last year by “Spider-Man 3.”

The top 10 movies at U.S. and Canadian theaters Friday - Sunday as compiled by Media By Numbers LLC:

1. “The Dark Knight”, $158,411,483, one week.
2. “Mamma Mia!”, $27,751,240, one week.
3. “Hancock”, $191,543,979, three weeks.
4. “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, $43,504,712, two weeks.
5. “Hellboy II: The Golden Army”, $56,526,885, two weeks.
6. “WALL-E”, $182,732,709, four weeks.
7. “Space Chimps”, $7,181,374, one week.
8. “Wanted”, $123,322,635, four weeks.
9. “Get Smart”, $119,608,695, five weeks.
10. “Kung Fu Panda,” $206,616,381, seven weeks.