Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 finally hit theaters at midnight last night, and, just hours into its opening weekend release, box office records have fallen. The Hogwarts finale has taken in an estimated $43.5 million in midnight shows alone.

The Warner Bros. adventure shattered the midnight record set just over a year ago by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which took in $30 million during its midnight screenings. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 opened in approximately 3,800 theaters at midnight. The franchise finale will open in 4,375 theaters today, the third-widest release of all time behind The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and Iron Man 2. However, a conflicting report lists the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 theater count at 4,575, which would make it the widest release of all time. It is also said that 3,000 theaters will screen the finale in 3D.

This is likely just the first box office record that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 will break this weekend. The finale looks to surpass The Twilight Saga: Eclipse's record for biggest single day of $72 million, along with The Dark Knight's opening weekend record of $158.4 million. Some analysts believe Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 could gross north of $180 million over the weekend.

Stay tuned as we'll be sure to keep you posted on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2's box office numbers throughout the weekend.