Vampires come out at night and apparently so do their movies.

This was evident Thursday at the Regal Cinemas Tall Firs 10 in Bonney Lake as fans awaited the first screening of the second installment of the vastly popular “Twilight” series.

“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” broke a record before the first Twihard (this is a moniker given to ardent fans) was in their seat. Movietickets.com reports “New Moon” is its best-selling presale movie, a title claimed four years ago by “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.” Movietickets.com does not disclose sales figures or the number of tickets sold, but “New Moon” opened on 3,514 screens selling out midnight shows across the country, including ones in Bonney Lake.

Inside the theater lobby, T-shirts with Team Edward or Team Jacob written on them were worn by supporters, creating a slight division in a night otherwise filled with collective celebration.

Among the T-shirt-wearing fans was 27-year-old Maureen McNinch, who prefers Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson, arguably the world’s most desired man right now.

McNinch said she’s drawn to “Twilight” because of the romance. She sees Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) as a normal girl who ends up falling for a man she probably shouldn’t be with.

“It’s a wonderful story. It’s a great love story,” she said.

Fervent rumors insist the on-screen couple is dating off-screen as well, and people gave their own opinions as they waited for the movie.

“I think they’re dating,” said McNinch. “The way he looks at her.”

Others weren’t so enthusiastic. Carmen Helle and Chrystal Stankevitz, both 30, hoped there wasn’t truth to the dating rumors. The two were part of a group of about 15 who arrived at 5 p.m. and were passing the time by playing charades. They also wore “Twilight”-themed shirts, and in small type on Helle’s shirt just near the waist was written, “I hate KS.” While she isn’t a fan of Stewart, Stankevitz is another story.

“I colored my hair black to look like Bella. You can still smell the dye,” she said.

Perhaps less likely than a fan who slams one of the film’s actresses with her shirt is a fan who isn’t into vampires, but there was at least one.

“I’m not into vampires,” said 18-year-old Courtney Turner, as she stood wearing her Team Jacob shirt.

Jacob is a werewolf, which Turner views as a superior creature.

“Werewolves can take names,” she said.

Later her shirt would elicit a statement from an Edward supporter.

“I can’t be seen with a Team Jacob, sorry,” said 24-year-old Michelle Ward, showing her allegiance to Edward on her own shirt.

Ward is unsure how many times she’s seen “Twilight,” but her DVD player is often busy.

“Usually if I’m doing something, it’s on in the background,” she said.

Opinions on aspects of the “Twilight” series ran from the which actor is the best looking, to the movies’ songs and the literary origins within Stephenie Meyer’s novels.

“Edward is the perfect man,” said Christy Munro of Lake Tapps.

Paramore’s song “Decode” was a hit from “Twilight,” but Helle said she prefers “Meet me on the Equinox” from “New Moon” and by the Bellingham, Wash., band Death Cab for Cutie.

McNinch thought there was more detail in the “Twilight” novel than the movie.

“The basic things that the fan base enjoys,” she said.

In the novel, she said, Bella cooks a lot, but this is a character trait omitted on the screen.

At least one Twihard crossed the mountains to see the movie with friends. Holly Guerrero of Spokane was dressed in “Twilight” clothing along with Chaney Klespitz of Yelm and Shelley Drury of Puyallup. Drury bought tickets for the group in September and prior to heading to the movie the three enjoyed a “Twilight”-inspired cake referencing Bella and Edward’s relationship with the words “So the lion fell in love with the lamb” written on it.

While some fans waited in line others bought tickets to see “Twilight” in the theater before watching the sequel. If the success of this presale is any indication, when “Eclipse,” the series’ third entry, opens next summer there may be a triple feature taking place.

Following the midnight showings was one at 3 a.m., allowing plenty of time to enjoy the nightlife, but some may have needed to rush home before sunrise.