LOS ANGELES – The release of Warner Bros.’ movie “The Dark Knight Rises” brings to an end one of Hollywood’s most enduring franchises, as the studio searches to find a new one capable of matching Batman’s box office success.

The Time Warner-owned studio has been Hollywood’s King of Franchises for years. Over the last decade it generated worldwide ticket sales of $12 billion from its “Lord of the Rings,” “Batman,” and “Harry Potter” films.

Eight of the 20 highest-grossing films of all time come from one of those franchises, according to website Box Office Mojo.

“The Dark Knight Rises” will be the last of the Batman series that began in 2005, director Christopher Nolan said.

“Harry Potter,” Warner Brother’s biggest franchise, ended last summer with the largest of eight films, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” which generated $1.3 billion worldwide.

‘Dark Knight Rises’ Reportedly Earns $160M

LOS ANGELES — “The Dark Knight Rises” was on track to earn $160 million, which would be a record for 2-D films, over the weekend following a mass shooting at a Colorado screening of the Batman film.
Media outlets reported Sunday that the latest Batman sequel earned $160 million to $162 million.

That amount would best the $158.4 million debut of “The Dark Knight” in 2008 and give “Dark Knight Rises” the third-highest domestic weekend opening ever, after the 3-D films “The Avengers” with $207.4 million and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2” with $169.2 million.