By Grace Ackland, Rachael Holmes and Nikki Papatsoumas

THE MIDNIGHT screening of Twilight: Eclipse drew a more mature crowd to Wellington cinemas last night than previous years, when fans had taken to dressing up and buying tickets months in advance.

Although fewer young teens queued up in vampire glam, many had travelled long distances to the capital’s Embassy and Reading theatres.

Waikanae resident Ashley Burns (left), 17, describes herself as a “twi-hard”: “I had to see it before everybody else saw it.”

The Embassy can seat 700 people yet the premiere screening sold between 300 and 400 tickets.

Reading’s midnight session attracted 800 people.

Moviegoers were buzzing with excitement to see their favourite vampires and werewolves on screen.

Eclipse, based on the book by Stephenie Meyer, is the third instalment in the popular movie franchise.

Debate rang through the theatre as fans discussed who was team Edward or team Jacob. Team Edward seemed to be the popular choice of the night.

“Edward is dark and mysterious, such a brooding character,” says 22-year-old student Catherine Prior.