'Transformers' hit lower orbit with $37.3M launch

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Optimus Prime and his fellow Transformers are not quite over the moon with their latest box-office count.

According to distributor Paramount Pictures, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" took in $37.3 million domestically in its first full day Wednesday. That's a 40 percent drop from its predecessor, "Revenge of the Fallen," which pulled in $62 million two years ago on opening day, which also was a Wednesday.

Adding in $5 million from debut screenings Tuesday night, "Dark of the Moon" raised its domestic haul to $42.3 million.

While that's well below the launch of "Revenge of the Fallen," the new "Transformers" sequel still is off to a healthy start. "Dark of the Moon" had the best single day for a movie this year, topping the previous high of $34.9 million on opening day for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."