However, Prince's Friday take was only 4% higher than the $25.8M first Friday of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix from 2007 when it also bowed on a Wednesday in July. Given the increase in ticket prices over the years, it means that the turnout was slightly less for Prince which is witnessing a more front-loaded debut frame. But over the first three days, Prince is running 21% ahead of Phoenix which banked $88.4M during its matching Wednesday-to-Friday span. At this pace, the latest Hogwarts tale might go on to capture $78-82M over the Friday-to-Sunday period for a five-day cume of $158-162M.

Elsewhere on Friday, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs followed way back in second with an estimated $5.5M while the Transformers sequel ranked third with an estimated $4M. Weekend tallies should reach $17-19M and $13-14M, respectively. Universal's raunchy comedy Brüno tumbled 80% in its second Friday to an estimated $2.9M and should finish the frame with $8-9M.

Fox Searchlight generated a sensational launch for its indie comedy (500) Days of Summer which debuted in only 27 theaters but nearly cracked the top ten. The film grossed an estimated $260,000 on Friday which should lead to a weekend gross in the neighborhood of $900,000 for a scorching average of more than $30,000.

Among holdovers, Friday-to-Friday declines were 23% for The Proposal, 20% for The Hangover, and 46% for Public Enemies.

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For NEW reviews of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and (500) Days of Summer visit The Chief Report.

Check back on Sunday for the complete weekend box office report.