Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows part 2, the final installment of the Harry Potter franchise cast a spell with moviegoers, raking in nearly $170 million over the weekend and breaking the previous record opening total held by The Dark Knight ($158.4). The franchise has now grossed $2.177 billion and is very close to surpassing Star Wars ($2.218 billion) as the top grossing franchise on all time. Transformers: Dark of the Moon became the first film of 2011 to pass $300 million, although it looks like The Deathly Hallows 2 will soon be joining them. Click the pic below to enlarge and view the top five movies below.

The last installment of the Harry Potter franchise has a record breaking opening

Top 5 Movies for July 15-17

1. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2- $169.2 Million (new)

2. Transformers: Dark of the Moon- $21.3 Mil ($302.9 Mil overall)

3.Horrible Bosses- $17.8 Mil ($60.1 Mil overall)

4.Zookeeper- $12.3 Mil ($42.4 Mil overall)

5. Cars 2- $8.4 Mil ($165.4 Mil overall)

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The movie posters proclaimed that “It All Ends” and boy does it. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 was easily the most action packed as well as the shortest of the Potter movies, but all of the lingering loose ends are tied up in this one. Harry finally faces off against You-Who-Who in the ultimate good vs. evil showdown, and several major characters die along the way as well.Click the image to enlarge.

Will Voldemort finally defeat Harry Potter in the battle to end all battles?

David Yates does an exceptional job of pacing the story and really making the movie exciting from beginning to end. Ralph Fiennes was superbly evil as Lord Voldemort, Alan Rickman finally got to show a range of his Severus Snape character and Matthew Lewis was the breakout star as Neville Longbottom becomes a hero. And of course, if you’ve followed the entire series, you’ve been able to witness the growth and maturation of the trio of stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron) and Emma Watson (Hermione). Watching the last film in what has been a great franchise is kind of like seeing your best friend move cross country to take a better job-it’s bittersweet, but you’re happy for them. Grade- A+.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon took the first spot for the second straight week and in the process became 2011′s highest grossing film. Horrible Bosses and Zookeeper also fared well in their opening weekend, each grossing over $20 Million. Click the pic to enlarge and checkout the weekend’s top five below. [Source]

Transformers 3 is now 2011's top grossing film

Top 5 Films (July 8-10)

1. Transformers: Dark of the Moon- $47.1 Million ($261.1 Million overall)

2. Horrible Bosses- $28.3 Mil (new)

3. Zookeeper- $20.1 Mil (new)

4. Cars 2- $15.2 Mil ($148.8 Mil)

5.Larry Crowne- $5.9 Mil ($26.2 Mil)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon had an Independence Day weekend record grossing debut. The third part in the franchise brought in $116.4 Million (topping the Spider-Man 2 opening mark of $88 Million )for the weekend and has already amassed over $200 Million. Cars 2 came in at second, but it had a significant drop in its second week of release. Click the picture to enlarge and check out the top five films below.

Optimus Prime and company bring the fight to the Depticons... and take #1 along the way...

Top 5 Films for July 1-3, 2011

1. Transformers: Dark of the Moon -$97.5 Million ($162.2 Million overall)

2. Cars 2 - $26.2 Million ($117.1 Mil)

3. Bad Teacher - $14.5 Million ( $59.9 Mil)

4. Larry Crowne – $13.1 Mil (new)

5. Super 8 - $7.8 Mil ($108.4 Mil)

Pixar just continues to crank out winners at the box office. Cars 2 became Pixar’s 12th straight film to open at #1. Bad Teacher, the new comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake, debuted at number two. Click the picture to enlarge and check below for the top five.

Cars 2 continues Pixar's winning streak

Top Five Movies

1. Cars 2- $66.1 Million (new)

2. Bad Teacher- $31.6 Mil (new)

3. Green Lantern- $18 Mil ($89 Mil overall)

4. Super 8- $12 Mil ($95.1 Mil)

5. Mr. Popper’s Penguins- $10.1 Mil ($39.3 Mil)