The latest film in the Twilight series, “Breaking Dawn,” continues to dominate the box office, despite some competition from several movies that premiered this week with more favorable reviews from critics.
“Breaking Dawn—Part 1” has brought in over $196 million in the United States and has maintained it’s No. 1 position since its midnight opening on Nov. 17.
And Twilight fever continues to spread to other countries with its foreign total estimated at $152 million as of Friday.
The movie—based on the series by author Stephanie Meyer—has become a worldwide phenomenon since the first book came out in 2008.
On Friday, the film brought in $16.9 million, keeping its seat on the throne even with the debuts this week of “The Muppets” and “Hugo.”
Both films beat “Breaking Dawn” in the critics department with those writing the reviews giving “The Muppets” (98 percent) and “Hugo” (97 percent) high marks on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Muppets” was the runner-up on Friday, earning $12.2 million, according to estimates from Box Office Mojo. The box office tracking site said the family comedy has brought in $24 million domestically since opening on Nov. 23.
Despite the great reviews, Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” earned the fifth spot on Friday with $4.5 million.
Richard Roeper said of Scorsese’s latest work, “one of the most magical viewing experiences of the decade so far,” according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Also finishing in the Top 5 on Friday was “Happy Feet Two” and “Arthur Christmas.”
As for “Breaking Dawn,” creators of the movie are following in the footsteps of another global powerhouse—“Harry Potter”—“Breaking Dawn- Part 2” will be released in two parts.
Part two is expected to come out some time next year.
