Box Office Report: 'Breaking Dawn - Part 2' Earns $30.4 Million in Thursday Night Runs

Summit Entertainment's The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 2 grossed a strong $30.4 million in Thursday night and midnight runs at the domestic box office, marking a healthy start for the final film in the blockbuster vampire franchise.

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Breaking Dawn 2 narrowly set a midnight record for the franchise, coming in just ahead of the $30.3 million earned last year by The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1.

"The movie is off to a fantastic start," a spokesman for Summit said.

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Breaking Dawn 2, directed by Bill Condon, has already earned $13.8 million overseas.

Returning Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner in the title roles, the movie is opening in 61 foreign markets this weekend.

Box office observers believe Breaking Dawn 2 could hit $150 million in North America, a franchise best. The Twilight Saga: New Moon holds the record with $142.8 million.