A poster of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" [Xinhua News Agency]

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" raked in 16 million U.S. dollars from the midnight screenings in about 3,000 theaters in U.S. Wednesday, media reports said Thursday.

The opening night figure puts the Paramount Pictures release, directed by Michael Bay, in impressive company.

Batman movie "The Dark Knight" holds the record for midnight grossers, having picked up 18.5 million dollars in 2008, and 20th Century Fox's "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" grossed 16.9 million dollars in 2005.

"Revenge of the Fallen" can boast the biggest midnight gross for a movie opening on a Wednesday.

Imax, which is showing the movie on its large-format screens, reported that all 160 locations sold out their midnight shows, and some of them quickly added 3 a.m. screenings.

Despite poor reviews, this big opening could prove that this particular event film is critic proof. After all, audiences will make the ultimate determination.

(Agencies June 25, 2009)