IMAX 'Dark Knight' rakes in $55M

Los Angeles -- "The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience" has crossed the $55 million mark in worldwide gross box office receipts in seven weeks, IMAX Corp. said Friday.

As of Friday, the film reached a total of $43.2 million from 101 IMAX screens domestically and $12 million from 41 IMAX screens internationally, IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Pictures announced.

"The exceptional box office performance of 'The Dark Knight in IMAX theaters is contributing to the film's very strong legs and fantastic summer theatrical run," Dan Fellman, president of Domestic Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, said in a statement. "Many repeat customers are experiencing the film in IMAX theaters."

"(Director) Chris Nolan's innovative vision is taking IMAX's format to new heights and his film's impact on ticket sales is unprecedented," added IMAX Co-Chairmen Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "The ability to cross this milestone so quickly shows us that more people are visiting IMAX theaters than ever before, underscoring the real potential and appetite for 'The IMAX Experience.'"

"The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience" features six sequences filmed with IMAX cameras, marking the first time a major feature film has been even partially shot using IMAX cameras, the companies said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.