Disney
The movie took in $16.3 million in its preview screenings on Thursday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
That's the biggest earning for previews this year, and the largest ever for a Disney live-action movie (not counting Marvel or Lucasfilm titles).
The live-action remake of the 1991 Disney animated classic is looking to have a major first weekend, as many in the industry predicted. The title should earn north of $120 million domestically and around $245 million worldwide.
The movie, which stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast, should also break the record for biggest opening weekend for a Disney live-action fair tale movie. It should surpass 2010's "Alice in Wonderland" ($116 million) and 2015's "Cinderella" ($67.8 million).