The final movie in the popular boy wizard franchise was released across America at midnight on Friday (15Jul11) and ticket sales for the first showings of the film soared way past the $30 million (£18.75 million) record held by last summer's (10) The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Warner Bros. studio bosses are also bracing for a big showing this weekend (16-17Jul11) - industry insiders predict the new Potter film could also surpass the U.S. opening weekend record of $158 million (£99 million), which is currently held by the 2008 release The Dark Knight.

The spellbinding movie is already working its magic around the world - it took in a bumper $43.6 million (£27.3 million) in 26 territories in just 24 hours upon its release at midnight on Thursday (14Jul11).