Cher's Best Opening Weekend

Burlesque may be facing stiff competition from Harry Potter and Tangled, but the movie musical starring Cher and Christina Aguilera is on its way to making $18 million over the five-day holiday frame.

The film, which marks Cher's first starring role since 1999's Tea With Mussolini, is expected to take in more than $12 million opening weekend. Burlesque already took in $5 million Wednesday and Thursday.

Cher's previous best opening weekend was for The Witches of Eastwick in 1987.

The film cost $50 million to produce and should make that money back in its stateside release. It is expected to do better in its international release next month.