Will box-office gold help 'The Dark Knight' to strike Oscar gold next?

Now that "The Dark Knight" just pulled off the biggest opening in U.S. box-office history, how does that richen its hope to strike Oscar gold?

First, let's count the box-office gold: $155.3 million for "The Dark Knight's" three-day opening weekend. "The Dark Knight" also set a record for biggest single-day opening: $67.85 million, up nearly $1.5 million from the early, estimated tally.

Oscar voters have a well-earned reputation for being shameless snobs, usually opting for the likes of "No Country for Old Men" and "Crash" for best picture. But sometimes they actually embrace the year's top-grossing films as the year's best — like "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" (2003), "Forrest Gump" (1994) and "Gone with the Wind" (1939).

Even when they don't win, often the biggest-earning flicks get nominated for best picture — like "The Sixth Sense" (1999), "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), "E.T." (1982), "Star Wars" (1977) and "Jaws" (1975).

But now consider the movie that "The Dark Knight" just vanquished to claim the b.o. record. "Spider-Man 3" wasn't nominated for any Oscars in 2007, not even in the lowly tech categories like its predecessors.

Of the top 20 high-grossing films of all time as ranked by BoxOfficeMojo.com, 14 failed to be nominated in the Oscar high five. Of the six that made the cut, three won — "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" (2003), "Titanic" (1997) and "Forrest Gump" (1994) — and three got skunked: "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" (2002), "E.T." (1982) and "Star Wars" (1977).

Of course, we're only talkin' best picture here. "The Dark Knight" is a serious candidate in the acting slots for Heath Ledger. It seems like Heath Ledger may even hold a precious Oscar I.O.U. (READ MORE). But which category should Heath Ledger compete in: lead or supporting? CLICK HERE to find out about that hot debate. Or is he doomed to lose? Read more about that Oscars curse, CLICK HERE!

(Warner Bros.)