How much a movie makes at the box office doesn’t necessarily determine the quality of the movie. There have been movies that flopped at the box office but ended up winning an Oscar. However, many excellent movies exceeded the initial budget in the opening weekend.
Many of the movies with the best opening days were highly anticipated by fans. Films from the Star Wars, Avengers, or Twilight franchises were ones that fans anxiously waited to see in theaters.
Some of the films that did well on opening day made over a hundred million dollars in the U.S. and Canada alone. Many of these films also ended up on the list of highest-grossing films of all time, such as “Barbie,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” and “Avengers: End Game.” While they may have made over a hundred million dollars on opening day in North America, they ended up making over $1 billion worldwide.
When you’ve waited patiently for a movie to come out, there’s nothing better than getting to enjoy the movie in theaters on opening day. When it comes to the films with the best opening days, movies from the Avengers series made the list numerous times, including “Black Panther,” “Iron Man 3,” and “Thor: Love and Thunder.” All four of the films in the Twilight Saga also made the list.
This list of the top 30 movies with the best opening days ever was created based on data from Box Office Mojo. The list is in descending order and is based on the gross amount from each film’s opening day in North America. Here are the 30 movies with the best opening days. (Also see 20 box office hits that turn 50 this year.)
30. The Dark Knight
- Opening Day US & Canada: $67,165,092
- Release Date: July 18, 2008
In “The Dark Knight,” Batman aligns with James Gordon and Harvey Dent to save Gotham City from mayhem. At every turn, the Joker causes more chaos in the city in an attempt to see how far he can push Batman.
29. The Hunger Games
- Opening Day US & Canada: $67,263,650
- Release Date: March 23, 2012
Life in the dystopian nation of Panem includes the Hunger Games, a competition where two teenagers from each district must fight to the death until one remains. When Primrose is selected as one of the tributes, her sister Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her place.
28. Furious 7
- Opening Day US & Canada: $67,407,340
- Release Date: April 3, 2015
Owen Shaw’s older brother, Deckard Shaw, seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto, Brian O’Conner, and the rest of their crew because they put Owen in a coma. While the crew tries to stop Deckard, they’re recruited by a government agent to prevent the attacks of a terrorist.
27. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
- Opening Day US & Canada: $68,533,840
- Release Date: June 30, 2010
Bella Swan wants to become a vampire like her boyfriend, Edward Cullen, but he refuses to turn her into one until they’re married. Meanwhile, the Cullen family prepares for an attack on Forks by Victoria and her army of vampires.
26. Iron Man 3
- Opening Day US & Canada: $68,858,555
- Release Date: May 3, 2013
Tony Stark becomes increasingly dependent on his Iron Man suits while dealing with insomnia and PTSD from the alien invasion. When a terrorist named Mandarin leaves Happy Hogan in a coma, Stark sends out a personal message to Mandarin.
25. Thor: Love and Thunder
- Opening Day US & Canada: $69,554,073
- Release Date: July 8, 2022
Thor has joined the Guardians of the Galaxy and returns to New Asgard to fight Gorr the God Butcher, who is determined to kill all gods after the death of his daughter. To defeat Gorr, Thor teams up with Valkyrie, Korg, and Jane Foster who has become the Mighty Thor.
24. Barbie
- Opening Day US & Canada: $70,503,178
- Release Date: July 21, 2023
When Barbie experiences an existential crisis, she decides to go to the real world to find answers. While running from the Mattel executives who are trying to capture her, Barbie returns to Barbie Land to discover the Kens have taken over.
23. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
- Opening Day US & Canada: $70,950,136
- Release Date: Nov. 22, 2013
As revolts continue in Panem, Peeta and Katniss pretend to be in love to calm the unrest. When it’s time for the 75th Hunger Games to take place, both Katniss and Peeta end up back in the arena fighting for their lives.
22. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Opening Day US & Canada: $71,094,394
- Release Date: Dec. 16, 2016
“Rogue One” tells the story of Jyn Erso, the daughter of scientist Galen Erso, who she was separated from as a child. Jyn bands together with a team of rebels to steal the plans for the Death Star and take down the Empire.
21. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2
- Opening Day US & Canada: $71,167,839
- Release Date: Nov. 16, 2012
Bella has become a vampire after giving birth to a child, Renesmee. After Irina, a fellow vampire, mistakenly believes Renesmee is an immortal child, she reports what she saw to the Volturi. This leads to the Volturi army arriving in Forks, ready to fight the Cullens.
20. Incredibles 2
- Opening Day US & Canada: $71,260,321
- Release Date: June 15, 2018
After superheroes become illegal, the Incredibles partner with Winston Deavor to help people trust superheroes again. While Bob transitions to life as a stay-at-home dad, Helen attempts to fight the Screenslaver and discover his identity.
19. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1
- Opening Day US & Canada: $71,642,526
- Release Date: Nov. 18, 2011
After getting married to Edward, Bella soon discovers she’s pregnant with their half-vampire, half-human child. Bella’s health quickly declines while her baby grows at an incredibly accelerated rate.
18. The Twilight Saga: New Moon
- Opening Day US & Canada: $72,703,754
- Release Date: Nov. 20, 2009
After Edward breaks up with Bella to protect her safety, she becomes depressed and reckless. Edward believes Bella has died after his sister Alice has a vision. This leads Edward to travel to Italy to meet with the Volturi while Alice and Bella follow him.
17. Captain America: Civil War
- Opening Day US & Canada: $75,502,161
- Release Date: May 6, 2016
When the government decides the Avengers must be held accountable amid political pressure, members of the team are divided on what the right choice is. This leads to a feud as other Avengers are forced to take sides and Captain America attempts to rescue a childhood friend.
16. The Dark Knight Rises
- Opening Day US & Canada: $75,754,897
- Release Date: July 20, 2012
Following the events of “The Dark Knight,” Batman has stayed in isolation after the death of Rachel Dawes. Batman comes out of hiding to face Bane, a villain and former member of The League of Shadows. Batman pursues Bane in an attempt to prevent him from destroying Gotham City.
15. Black Panther
- Opening Day US & Canada: $75,941,146
- Release Date: Feb. 16, 2018
After the death of T’Chaka, Wakanda’s king, his son T’Challa returns home to take his place on the throne. T’Challa is forced to defend his people and his throne from Killmonger, former U.S. Navy SEAL and son of Prince N’Jobu.
14. The Lion King
- Opening Day US & Canada: $77,930,758
- Release Date: July 19, 2019
The 2019 version of “The Lion King” was a realistic remake of the original 1994 film. After Scar kills Simba’s father, Mufasa, he leaves the Pride Lands thinking Mufasa’s death was his fault. Simba lives with Timon and Pumbaa while he learns his true role in life.
13. The Avengers
- Opening Day US & Canada: $80,813,958
- Release Date: May 4, 2012
After Nick Fury activates the Avengers Initiative, a team of superheroes including the Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Hawkeye, and Black Widow are summoned. Together the Avengers work to stop Loki from conquering Earth.
12. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
- Opening Day US & Canada: $81,558,505
- Release Date: March 25, 2016
Lex Luthor manipulates Batman by turning him against Superman. Once Batman perceives Superman as a threat, Batman attempts to weaponize kryptonite to defeat him and only later realizes that he’s fallen into Lex Luthor’s trap.
11. Jurassic World
- Opening Day US & Canada: $81,953,950
- Release Date: June 12, 2015
When a highly intelligent dinosaur known as the Indominus rex gets loose in Jurassic World, chaos ensues. The park’s owner, Simon Masrani, works to protect his financial investment while the rest of the crew seek out the Indominus to save those on the island.
10. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- Opening Day US & Canada: $84,285,721
- Release Date: Nov. 11, 2022
Tensions rise in Wakanda as other nations and governments insist that the Kingdom share its vibranium. While the Queen of Wakanda hopes to make a new Black Panther, not everyone agrees with her plan. The people of Wakanda defend their home from Namor and those trying to destroy the Kingdom.
9. Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Opening Day US & Canada: $84,424,532
- Release Date: May 1, 2015
After the Avengers raid a Hydra facility in Sokovia, they discover that Wolfgang von Strucker was experimenting on humans there. Ultron, Stark’s defense program, attacks the Avengers leaving them to fight off Ultron and the twins Strucker was experimenting on.
8. Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
- Opening Day US & Canada: $89,615,288
- Release Date: Dec. 20, 2019
Kylo Ren, son of Han Solo and Princess Leia, is instructed by Emperor Palpatine to kill Rey. Rey and the rest of the Resistance fight against the First Order, recruiting others to fight in the Resistance with them.
7. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Opening Day US & Canada: $90,720,784
- Release Date: May 6, 2022
As the sequel to the first Doctor Strange film, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” follows Stephen Strange as he searches for the Book of Vishanti. He teams up with America Chavez, a teenage girl who can create portals to travel through the multiverse.
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
- Opening Day US & Canada: $91,071,119
- Release Date: July 15, 2011
Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their search for the Horcruxes Lord Voldemort created. When Voldemort’s army attacks, Harry discovers where the last Horcrux is. Harry learns the truth about Voldemort and himself before his final battle with the Dark Lord.
5. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
- Opening Day US & Canada: $104,684,491
- Release Date: Dec. 15, 2017
The Resistance fights against the First Order as Rey tries to convince Luke Skywalker to join them. Although Luke won’t join the Resistance, he agrees to teach Rey about the Force. Rey believes there’s still hope for Kylo Ren even though he has joined the Dark Side and she leaves Skywalker to find him.
4. Avengers: Infinity War
- Opening Day US & Canada: $106,334,939
- Release Date: April 27, 2018
Thanos continues his search for the remaining Infinity Stones so he can destroy half of the population. The Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers get involved to stop Thanos from retrieving the remaining stones.
3. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
- Opening Day US & Canada: $119,119,282
- Release Date: Dec. 18, 2015
General Leia leads the Resistance to fight against the First Order many years after the Battle of Endor. As battles rage across the galaxy, Rey and Finn team up with Han Solo and Chewbacca to restore order.
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Opening Day US & Canada: $121,964,712
- Release Date: Dec. 17, 2021
Spiderman faces challenges as the world finds out his secret identity. After asking Doctor Strange for help, Strange casts a corrupted spell that pulls several villains from the universes they were in as well as alternate versions of Peter.
1. Avengers: Endgame
- Opening Day US & Canada: $157,461,641
- Release Date: April 26, 2019
The Avengers who survived in “Avengers: Infinity War” try to reverse what Thanos did and bring back half of the population. Since Thanos destroyed the Infinity Stones, the Avengers have to travel back in time to retrieve them. (Don’t miss the 50 best movies you’ve probably never seen.)