“New Moon,” the latest film in “The Twilight Saga” is doing record business at the box office.

The film grossed $140.7 million in its opening weekend–more than any other film with an autumn release in history.

Based on the best-selling books by Stephanie Meyer, the tales of teenage vampire love have wooed film-goers without having to resort to acres of flesh being on display.

Contrary to the popular trend of portraying teenagers on screen as playing fast and loose with their virginity and affections, the lack of on-screen sex is highly distinctive.

Instead, the formula of love and the importance of relationships that rule “The Twilight Saga” are proving popular with audiences.

This more sensitive approach is the key to the film’s success, said Elizabeth Morowitz, Communications Professor at the University of Missouri and author of “Bitten By Twilight.”

According to Morowitz, “A lot of people ask ‘what’s so appealing about the Twilight and why is it popular now?’ and we think it’s because of the relationships and the messages about love in Twilight. In a more conservative environment we’ve had this push for abstinence education, so we now have a media message that’s more congruent with that. So perhaps some teens relate to it in that way.”

(article and photo source: CNN)