Back row, Sara Birch (19), Kathleen McLendon (19), Megan Davis (19), Anna Chase (20) and Shannon Sullivan (18); front, Katrina Brandon (16) and Erica Franks (18).

The “Twilight” books are scarcely unheard of today by many Americans. As of this year, the books have sold 85 million copies worldwide, winning various awards such as the Kid’s Choice Award and the British Book Award. Fans of the series have been called Twi-hards for their cult-like enthusiasm. Building on the success of the books, the phenomenon has also sunk its fangs into the lucrative movie market.

The series of books tell the story of Isabella Swan, a teenager who moves to Washington, where the sun is usually dimmer in the Pacific Northwest climate. There, Swan falls in love with a 104-year-old vampire named Edward Cullen with whom she goes to high school.

Anna Chase, Kathleen McLendon and Megan Davis pine over the cast of “New Moon.”

“We did sell out at our midnight show last week,” said Dave Parlier, general manager of Ruby Cinemas. Amid the blood-curdling screams of teenage girls at the beginning of the film, Parlier indicated that several hundred more advance tickets were sold the day after the film’s premiere.

Showtimes were expanded to an additional 2 p.m. time slot to better accommodate the many “Twilight” movie-goers. The extra time slot brought the total number of showings to four daily. The theater reported “New Moon’s” later showtimes to be sold out.

Erica Franks shows off her fangs.

Parlier explained that even though the movie is seeing high volumes of initial viewers, it is comparable to other historic blockbusters like “Titanic” and the “Passion of the Christ.” “The idea of selling advance tickets was not as big in the days of ‘Titanic,’” Parlier said.

“Twilight,” considered a fantasy romance saga, has a largely female following. Autumn Johnson, a two-year employee of Ruby Cinemas who describes the “Twilight” series as being “built up,” explained the movie may appeal to women because of the idea of eternal love. “I think it’s the idea of romance. The eternal love between Bella and Edward is something [women] want with a guy.”

“It definitely has a large female following of all ages,” explained Parlier. “It seems like everyone — from teens to people in their 40s and 50s — are just in love with the books. I think the hype itself has helped fuel some of the success,” he added.

“If you want my opinion, I’d rather watch the ‘Lord of the Rings,’” laughed Foster.

As the film ended, swarms of women of all ages shuffled out of the theater, few accompanied by a men. “It’s my birthday. I went and saw ‘New Moon.’ I cried like a little baby,” said 18-year-old Erica Franks, echoing many women’s reaction to the film.

“I actually loved it. I think it [the movie] followed the book very well and I think that’s what is making it so popular,” said 46-year-old Lorie Ward.

“It was really good. It was better than the first one,” said ardent 20-year-old “Twilight” fan Anna Chase. “It is like I imagined it” from reading the book, she added.

“It was awesome,” exclaimed 19-year-old Megan Davis, longtime fan of the story.

“I enjoyed the movie immensely. It wasn’t as good as the book, but they did a very good job on it,” said hardcore 19-year-old “Twilight” fan Kathleen McLendon.

“I liked it. It was better than the first one,” said 16- year-old Katrina Brandon.

Further being described as “fantabulous” by Shannon Sullivan and “amazing” by Megan Davis, the high enthusiasm for “Twilight” was apparently sustained for the sequel. Macon County fans of the books can go to the movies satisfied by a good film adaptation of the story. Expectations were high for “Twilight” book fans and “New Moon” has not disappointed.