Breaking dawn takes 181 million

The fourth and final novel in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. Divided into three parts, the first and third sections are written from Bella Swan's perspective and the second is written from the perspective of Jacob Black. In Breaking Dawn Part 1, Quileute and the Volturi close in on expecting parents Edward and Bella, whose unborn child poses different threats to the wolf pack and vampire coven.

 

November 21st, 2011

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1' has taken £181 million globally on its opening weekend.

The fourth instalment in the popular film franchise - which tells the story of vampire Edward Cullen and his human love Bella Swan - more than doubled its £70 million budget and took in £46 million on its Friday (18.11.11) opening.

Even bosses at distributors Summit admitted they were shocked with the popularity of the franchise - which stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart at Edward and Bella - with Richie Fay, head of distribution, remarking: "I'm 53 years old, and I haven't figured it out yet. It relates really to young girls and things that are important to them, their romantic ideas of love and relationships, without getting so physical, at least on screen, that it becomes a worry for their parents."

The takings in the US mean 'Breaking Dawn Part 1' recorded the fifth best opening weekend of all time, as well as the third best-ever single day for Friday.

'Breaking Dawn Part 2', the final film in the franchise will be released next year and director Bill Condon has described it as "epic".

He said: "['Breaking Dawn - Part 1'] is a very, very emotional, romantic story in the first half that gets dark and has elements of a horror movie in it.

"The second one: It is truly the meeting of the vampires from around the world, so it has a really kind of global feeling."