New Moon set to be biggest movie of 2009

HitFix has a new article discussing the movie "2012" and New Moon respectively, as the biggest movies of the year. Initially, both movies were set to battle it out for the spot as the biggest movie of 2009. Both movies are set to release at Thanksgiving, typically a big time for movie releases. Both have a large audience draw. However, HitFix thinks we need to recalculate the ability of New Moon and recognize that it's already blowing every other movie out of the water, even it's original contenders.

I have to say this article makes me almost cry with excitement

A little over three weeks before opening, "New Moon" came on industry tracking today with a vengeance showing interest in the Stephanie Meyer's vampire franchise hasn't cooled whatsoever.  With huge awareness already, the film has a staggering 40% plus first choice with younger women and over 15% with older women.  What's truly astounding is that older men (typically over 25) have almost as much interest as older women in seeing the sequel.  For what is seen as a typically female subject matter, that's a remarkable level of interest.  To say that "Twilight's" opening weekend number last year of $69.6 million will be surpassed by "New Moon" beginning on Nov. 20 is something of  an understatement.  And its domestic gross of $191 million?  Don't be surprised if it quickly gets shattered.

They also say 

As for "2012," opening a little over two weeks from now, the Roland Emmerich action flick is currently trending for an opening in the mid $40 million range.  For early November, that's nothing to sneeze at.  However, with a rumored budget in the $250 million plus range "2012" is going to have to have strong word of mouth and a lucrative Thanksgiving weekend to sail into profitability.  Sony's biggest concern?  Interest among older males is the same percentage as older males for "New Moon" and it opens a week earlier.  That's got to be disconcerting for those at the Culver City studio.  No one is expecting "2012"to flop, but the company may need to rely on its excellent international distribution arm to make up the difference overseas to get the film to a "blockbuster" level.

Other pictures trending for big openings in November at this point include "A Christmas Carol" and "The Men Who Stare At Goats."   But when all is said and done, a blood sucker should dominate the competition.