We all knew Summit’s “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” would have a huge opening. The question was just how huge.
Box Office Mojo answered this question with Sunday estimates that suggest a North American gross of $140.7 million, which would make it the third highest opening weekend of all time, behind “The Dark Knight” and “Spiderman 3.”

It also reports that “New Moon” now holds various records including highest opening day gross, with $72.7 million.

The third film in the Twilight saga, “Eclipse,” is slated to open June 30, 2010.

While the weekend belonged to the vampire romance, Box Office Mojo’s early estimates for additional debuts include: “The Blind Side,” $34.5 million; and “Planet 51,” $12.6 million.

Sunday estimates also show that “2012” climbed to $108.2 million in North America. Disney’s 3D “A Christmas Carol” sits at $79.8 million in its third weekend. And “Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire” earned $11 million in 629 locations—with a $17,500 per theatre average—for a new total of $21.4 million.

“Precious” has generated a lot of buzz as a likely best picture Oscar nominee. With awards season underway, we’ll be watching the box office numbers for “Precious” and other releases with Academy Awards potential.