Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the latest installment of the popular boy-wizard movie franchise, set a worldwide record by taking in more than $100 million in its first full day of release, Warner Bros. Pictures announced Thursday.

The sixth Potter film, which opened Wednesday worldwide, took in $58.18 million in North America and 45.85 million dollars in overseas territories, with a combined $104 million for its opening day.

"With many countries yet to open, these already outstanding box office numbers are another testament to the universal appeal of J.K. Rowling's stories and the remarkable work of everyone behind the Harry Potter films," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, president of Warner Bros. International Distribution.

In North America, the film made $22.2 million during its Wednesday midnight opening, eclipsing Warner Bros.' own record set last year by The Dark Knight. The Batman movie earned $18.5 million from midnight screenings on its opening day in last summer.

However, the highest one-day box office record in North America still belongs to The Dark Knight, which opened on a Wednesday one year ago with $67.1 million.

The new Potter film, which cost Warner Bros. about $400 million to make, is expected to gross more than its two predecessors with its broader PG rate. The fourth and fifth Potter films were rated PG-13.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth in the franchise, finally grossed $292 million and $646.2 million overseas two years ago.

The seventh and final book of J.K. Rowling's fantasy novel series is being split into two big-screen adaptations, slated to be released in November 2010 and July 2011 respectively, according to Warner Bros.

(CRIENGLISH.com July 17, 2009)