‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Mission: Impossible’ both make over $1 million at midnight screenings

While the numbers do not look as drastic as the $30 million that The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 made at midnight screenings last month, both Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol performed well at the box office overnight, both making over $1 million.

Mission: Impossible’s numbers are surprising because it only opened in IMAX theaters on just 425 screens. The fourth film in the series that stars Tom Cruise made $1.1 million, according to Deadline. It is even more impressive when you consider that Mission: Impossible III opened on over 2,000 screens at midnight in 2006 and made the same amount of money.

Still, Paramount executives might have to tone down there excitement. The bloated number is probably due to Warner Bros.’ The Dark Knight Rises prologue that is attached to the film at several locations. “Given how strong early sales were for midnight shows, IMAX asked to open Thursday evening to get the word of mouth started. Since the plan was getting people to see the film early, we gladly said OK,” a Paramount executive told Deadline.

As for Guy Ritchie’s second Sherlock Holmes film, The Wrap reports that the film made $1.25 million. The film, which stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, was shown at 1,650 locations at midnight.

While M:I 4 remains at just 425 theaters nationwide this weekend, Sherlock Holmes jumps up to 3,703 locations. It is expected to be the top grossing film this weekend, making $60 million and ending Hollywood’s streak of bad weekends.