The latest Batman installment The Dark Knight has taken the top spot as best opening weekend for a movie garnering $155.3 million at the box office. Spider-Man 3 had held the record since May 2007 when that movie earned just over $151 million.

Warner Bros.’ The Dark Knight also earned the best debut at IMAX theaters with $6.2 million versus Spider-Man 3 with $4.7 million.

The movie’s success was spurred on, in part, by great reviews and the buzz surrounding the performance of the late Heath Ledger who plays the Joker.

The Dark Knight’s dominance at the box office is great news for retailers who are hoping a successful movie will be the jumping off point for a robust offering of licensed goods that will extend into the all-important holiday selling season.

Kmart, for example, has partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Comics, and is calling itself the "Official Batman Headquarters."

The retailer has opened in-store boutiques, located at the front of Kmart stores, that include licensed products from the movie, such as toys, kids’ apparel, costumes, bedding and accessories, and men’s apparel, along with an exclusive Kmart The Dark Knight gift card.