Imax hums overseas with 'Knight'

Sales have been particularly hot in the U.K.

By Carl DiOrio

July 24, 2008, 09:27 PM ET

After striking gold with its participation in the record domestic bow for Warner Bros.' "The Dark Knight," giant-screen exhibitor Imax is going great guns internationally as the Batman sequel flies into various markets.

The U.K. has been particularly hot. Imax presales for this weekend's debut at just one London venue -- the BFI theater near Waterloo station in London -- hit $940,000 by Thursday. That's more than 50% greater advance ticketing than the giant-screen venue has ever registered.

"Even more impressively, that's literally double the entire gross for 'Batman Begins' at that theater over its entire run," Imax Filmed Entertainment president Greg Foster said.

Imax's domestic ticket sales also continue apace, at $10.5 million and counting.

Overall, "Dark Knight" has rung up $222.3 million domestically through Wednesday after unspooling July 18. The Christian Bale starrer has fetched $61 million from the 20 foreign markets in which it has opened, with "Dark Knight" set to bow in a similar number of additional territories this weekend.

Imax shares have enjoyed a big spurt through the "Dark Knight" rollout, but the stock dipped 13 cents to close at $7.66 on Thursday amid a big decline in the broader market.

Imax hums overseas with 'Knight'

Sales have been particularly hot in the U.K.

By Carl DiOrio

July 24, 2008, 09:27 PM ET