Heath Ledger helps The Dark Knight shatters American box office record

Jul 20 2008 By Fiona Young

THE new Batman movie has shattered US box office records.

Warner Brothers say the The Dark Knight has set a 24-hour record after raking in £33.2million on its opening day.

The till receipts outstrip the previous record of £30million set last year by Spider-Man 3.

The film is also set to break Spidey's opening weekend record of £75.5m.

Critics say the death of Heath Ledger and the buzz about his frenzied turn as Batman villain The Joker fuelled attendance.

Box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian said: "There is an unbelievable demand for this movie. The Heath Ledger factor is a major part of this."

The film stars Christian Bale as Batman.

Ledger died in January after a prescription drug overdose. He is tipped for a posthumous Oscar.