Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is already working its magic around the world - the film took in a big $43.6 million in 26 territories in just 24 hours.
 
The film hit U.S. cinemas at midnight on Thursday, but it's already a hit overseas in the countries it was released in late on Wednesday.
 
It broke Wednesday-release box office records in France, and the film became the franchise's biggest opening in Australia, according to studio estimates.
 
The film is expected to smash the $125 million the last Potter movie, Deathly Hallows: Part 1, made in its opening weekend in the U.S. and some experts predict the final film may even challenge The Dark Knight's $158.4 million record-breaking opening weekend in the U.S.
 
Studio bosses at Warner Bros. are also confident that Deathly Hallows: Part 2 could become the first Harry Potter film to top $1 billion at the box office worldwide.
 
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," the first film in the series, came closest with $974.8 million.