According to early Friday estimates from ShowbizData, X-Men: The Last Stand, the third chapter in the Marvel superhero franchise, has grossed $44.5 million in its first 24 hours, including midnight showings on Thursday night. It opened in over 3,688 North American theatres, which is fairly small by today's standards, although it averaged roughly $12,000 per theatre, as fans of the previous movies flocked to see the movie as soon as possible.

Although it didn't break the opening day record or one-day record held by Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith which grossed over $50 million on its opening Thursday last year, the Brett Ratner directed action flick has made more on its first Friday than any other movie. Previously, the biggest Friday opening was held by Spider-Man, which opened in May 2002, though last November's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire came very close to beating it.