“The Dark Knight,” a film which is slowly but surely rewriting U.S. box office history, was the highest-grossing for a third consecutive weekend, with $43.8 million in ticket sales, just a nick ahead of the newly released “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.”

The magical team of director Christopher Nolan, stars Christian Bale and Heath Ledger and a stellar supporting cast comprising of Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine and Maggie Gyllenhaal have made “The Dark Knight” one of Warner Bros.’ most spectacular movies ever.

This weekend’s box office glory went once again to the Batman installment, bringing its total earnings to $394.9 million since its mid-July release. Warner Bros. is confident the film will pass the $400 million mark within a few days, thus entering a rarely trod territory of the heroes.

“The Dark Knight’s” ascension has been impressive from the get-go, leading analysts to predict great accomplishments from the project which accomplishments it has fulfilled thus far.

The only other film to come near its success this weekend was Universal’s new release “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” starring Brendan Fraser, which earned $42.5 million in ticket sales in its first weekend.

Columbia Pictures’ zany comedy “Step Brothers,” starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, made an additional $16.3 million over the weekend, bringing its two-week total to $63 million.

The Meryl Streep-starring musical “Mamma Mia!” came in fourth, with $13.1 million in its third week. This brings its total to $88 million.

Brendan Fraser had a double reason to celebrate as another of his films entered the top five. Warner Bros.’ 3-D action film “Journey to the Center of the Earth” placed fifth with $6.9 million and a four-week total worth $73.1 million.