"Hunger Games" Scores $155M Opening Weekend

“The Hunger Games,” collected $155 million in weekend sales in the U.S. and Canada. Its the action thriller from Lions Gate Entertainment corp. Its near the top of the domestic record book.

That’s the third-biggest opening weekend ever  in terms of revenue, behind only Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 ($169.2 million) andThe Dark Knight ($158.4 million).

"Harry Potter" and "Batman" were well-established franchises.  "The Hunger Games" set a revenue record for a non-sequel movie. Its is  taking in more than twice what the first "Twilight" movie did with its $69.6 million opening weekend.

"This is the birth of a franchise. To launch in this fashion is mindboggling," said David Spitz, head of distribution at Lionsgate. Now they also owns the "Twilight" franchise after its purchase of Summit Entertainment.

It's already a blockbuster on its North American home ground. But it had a much slower start overseas. The film took in a modest $59.3 million in 67 overseas markets, including Great Britain, Germany, France, Russia and Australia. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2  took in a record $314 million overseas in its debut last summer. There are half a dozen other films have opened with more than $200 million outside the United States.Even "John Carter," managed to take in more than "The Hunger Games" overseas.

"The Hunger Games" slid into the No. 3 spot on the domestic revenue chart ahead of "Spider-Man 3," which opened with $151.1 million in 2007.

“The Hunger Games” cost about $80 million to make, according to Lions Gate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer.

The previous No. 1 movie, "21 Jump Street," dropped to a distant No. 2 but held up well in its second weekend with $21.3 million. That raised its domestic total to $71.1 million.

Movies in this week:

1. "The Hunger Games," $155 million ($59.3 million international).

2. "21 Jump Street," $21.3 million ($5.3 million international).

3. "Dr. Seuss' the Lorax," $13.1 million ($5.5 million international).

4. "John Carter," $5 million ($22.2 million international).

5. "Act of Valor," $2.1 million.

6. "Project X," $2 million.

7. "A Thousand Words," $1.9 million.

8. "October Baby," $1.7 million.

9. "Safe House," $1.39 million ($2.3 million international).

10. "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," $1.37 million.