'The Da Vinci Code' debuts big

Ron Howard's film is the biggest 'day and date' opener in history.

May 22 2006

In spite of poor reviews pretty much across the board, 'The Da Vinci Code' nevertheless managed the second biggest opening weekend in movie history, taking an international total of $224 million ($30 million behind 'Star wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith').

It also became the biggest day and date opener ever, taking $147 million from 12,213 screens in 90 territories on Friday.

But while they are impressive totals by any film's standards, the big test is yet to come.

If 'The Da Vinci Code' hopes to gross a 'Titanic' or 'Star Wars' style total, the film will need repeat business to hold strong for the next few weeks, and if the comments in The TOMB are anything to go by, the word of mouth won't be strong on this one.

And with big budget blockbuster 'X-Men: The Last Stand' opening on Friday, Ron Howard's film certainly has its work cut out to maintain such early promise.

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