‘This Is It’ earns $2.2 million on first night

Sony says results are ‘unprecedented’ for Tuesday opening in October

Image: Michael Jackson impersonators in Taiwan

Wally Santana / AP

Michael Jackson impersonators dance at the world premier of "This is It", in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Oct. 28.

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updated 4:02 p.m. ET Oct. 28, 2009

NEW YORK - According to studio estimates, late-night screenings of "Michael Jackson's This Is It" have earned $2.2 million at the North America box office.

Distributor Sony calls those results "unprecedented" for a Tuesday in October. The film chronicles Jackson's concert preparations for what would have been 50 comeback concerts in London.

"This Is It" opened in 99 countries and expanded its release Wednesday. Sony has already called Wednesday box office numbers "explosive" and says matinees alone have doubled Tuesday night's haul.

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The film show Jackson preparing for a marathon concert stand in London that never happened.

The pop star died in June at age 50. His death has been ruled a homicide.

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