Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix started out with a bang at midnight screenings earning an estimated $12 million at 2,311 theaters in North America.  This marked the biggest midnight screening opening ever, surpassing The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which took in $8 million in 2003.

Internationally, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix materialized $13.7 million on its opening day in France and eight Pacific and Asian territories, including Australia.

The fifth film in the Harry Potter series is expected to surpass The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King's first day take of $34.5 million as it debuts in 4,285 theaters, a record for Warner Bros.