With movie theaters continuing to rebound now we're through the worst of the pandemic (which has been replaced by a potential World War III, it seems), The Batman is already exceeding expectations.
Deadline reports that the movie actually earned $57 million on Friday, and now looks set to open with $120 million. We had a feeling those $110 million industry estimates were a little conservative, and depending on word of mouth over the weekend, it wouldn't be surprising for that number to increase.
Batman has usurped Superman as DC's most popular superhero, and movies featuring the Caped Crusader always draw a large crowd. However, after the mixed response to his past few appearances in the DCEU (where Ben Affleck played the Dark Knight in Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League), this reboot is a fresh start for the character that's paid off big time for Warner Bros.
From here, we're sure the studio will act fast to get cameras rolling on those HBO Max spinoffs, while we'll no doubt hear more about plans for a sequel to The Batman soon. 2022 looks set to be an exciting year for the character as Michael Keaton will reprise the role in The Flash and Batgirl, while Affleck is also set to return in the former to bring his tenure as Bruce Wayne to a close.
"Delivering the definitive take on the World’s Greatest Detective, The Batman is a sweeping, cinematic masterpiece that’s both DC’s best film and one of the most captivating, relentless, and unforgettable comic book movies ever made," we said in our recent review of The Batman.
How many times will you be watching The Batman in theaters this weekend?