"Avatar" overtakes "The Dark Knight" at domestic box office

By Siewaun
Reference: Variety

With domestic earnings of $552.8 million, 20th Century Fox and James Cameron's "Avatar" now overtakes Warner Bros.' "The Dark Knight's" $533.3 million to become the second highest grossing film ever at the domestic box office, still behind "Titanic."

At foreign box office, "Avatar" made history by overtaking Cameron's "Titanic's" $1.24 billion with it's $1.28 billion earnings to become the highest grossing film of all time. "Avatar's" international earnings stands at $1.84 billion.

"Having been a part of the 'Titanic' phenomenon, we never thought this day would come in our careers," said Fox International co-presidents Paul Hanneman and Tomas Jegeus. "But James Cameron created in 'Avatar' a film with such humanity and magic that it resonates with people of every culture."

Domestically, the film slipped a mere 16% in its sixth week with $9.1 million on Friday, $16.5 million on Saturday (down just 5% from the same day last weekend), and an estimated $10.4 million on Sunday.

Cameron's 3D movie grossed $6.6 million from IMAX screens, representing approximately 19% of the film's overall domestic take.

"It's one thing to have this technological marvel, but beyond that, I think it connects with people on so many different levels," said Fox senior VP of domestic distribution Chris Aronson. Along with "Avatar," Fox managed to claim three of the frame's top 10 slots with Dwayne Johnson starrer "Tooth Fairy" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel."