Transformers starts with $16 million from Midnight shows

The Wednesday night start is the second highest opening gross

By HitFix Staff Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 4:44 PM

Wow: Transformers opens with $16 million from Midnight shows

Optimus Prime returns in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

Credit: Paramount Pictures

Even though it opened with only three-quarters of its full run, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" scored the second biggest start in movie history with $16 million, according to Variety.

The film, starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox and directed by Michael Bay, is only runner-up to "Dark Knight," which debuted on a Friday with $18.5 million.

"Transformers" was shown at 3,000 theaters at 12:01 a.m. this morning and will expand to 4,226 total.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" posted the previous Wednesday opening high with $12 million in July 2007.

Look for more box office updates as they break on HitFix.