‘Harry Potter’ Box Office Gold In Coachella Valley

The countdown was on Thursday to one of the most anticipated film openings in history.

Harry Potter fans stood in line at several local theaters, waiting for the final film in the multibillion-dollar franchise.

More than 10,000 midnight Friday shows across the nation have sold out through Saturday, giving “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” an estimated $45 million box office Friday before it even actually screened.

Caleb Cosgrove and his cousin, Cezar said they didn’t mind forking over the cash for a good flick.

They arrived at the Century Theater at the River in Rancho Mirage hours before the double feature of part 1 and 2 of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

“I saw the Deathly Hallows part one and it was kind of exciting,” said Cezar Begu, who is from Canada. “I want to see the end.”

For adults, “Harry Potter” in 3-D at the Century Theater costs $14.50.

Regular admission is $11.

All 15 screens were showing “Harry Potter” and eight of them had already sold out by 6 p.m.

“It’s actually a pretty decent value by movie standards,” said Mark Kalkoske, who paid for his family’s tickets.

The AMC Ontario Mills IMAX Theater was charging $22.50 to see “Harry Potter.”

By comparison, the Desert IMAX Theater in Cathedral City charged just $12, but seats sold out quickly.

“I kind of wish there would be more movies,” said Dessa Keuilian, 11, who is from La Quinta. “But I’m glad that there’s going to be an ending and I’m going to be here for it.”

“I love Harry Potter and I listen to it on tapes almost every day,” said Afton Kalkoske, 11, who is also from La Quinta. “I can’t get enough of it.”

“I appreciate the literary merit of J.K. Rowling’s writting, and I can’t say enough about how wonderful these movies are,” said Sharon Kalkoske, an avid Harry Potter fan.

“The Dark Knight” took in $158.4 million during it’s opening weekend in 2008.

“Harry Potter” is expected to come close to that or beat it.