‘New Moon’ takes record $72.7 million box office bite

LOS ANGELES — Vampires and werewolves have vanquished a dark knight.

“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” took in $72.7 million in its first day to break the single day domestic box office record previously held by “The Dark Knight,” which had a $67.2 million opening day last year.

The Friday haul for the “Twilight” sequel includes a record $26.3 million from midnight screenings alone.

If “New Moon” maintains its pace, it might have a shot at the all-time best opening weekend record of $158.4 million, also held by “The Dark Knight.”

“New Moon” continues the story of teen romance between a girl and a vampire (Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson), with the sequel adding a love triangle with a teen werewolf (Taylor Lautner).