“Terminator Salvation” showed off some serious box-office muscle in its debut, with early estimates suggesting the Christian Bale-starer took in more than $3 million domestically in midnight Wednesday screenings alone. 

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the movie played in 3,450 theatres Thursday, though data on total Thursday earnings won’t be available until Friday.

The pic is projected to fetch $70 million or more over its first five days in theatres. The big haul is expected thanks in part to the long Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., which traditionally bodes well for the box office.

Also starring Sam Worthington and Bryce Dallas Howard, “Terminator Salvation” is the fourth film in the sci-fi series and the follow-up to 2003′s “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.”

It may be too early to declare the movie this weekend’s box-office winner, however – stiff competition could present itself in the form of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” which hits theatres Friday.

Related posts:

1. ‘Friday The 13th’ Scores At Box Office
2. Christian Bale’s Rant ‘Just A Moment’ Says ‘Terminator’ Producer
3. Christian Bale Rumoured To Be In Next ‘Terminator’ Instalment

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