The midnight showing of "Twilight" on Thursday was just the excuse for Sarah Bunker and Rachel Eberhardt to dress up as vampires and leave their husbands at home with the kids.

The Salt Lake City women were among hundreds gathered as early as 9 p.m. at the Jordan Commons Megaplex in Sandy in anticipation of the film. They said they didn't expect it to be as good as the book, written by Stephenie Meyer, but they were still excited about the release.

"We're 30 and have kids," said Eberhardt, who had her hair in an updo. "This is our night out."

Across the state, thousands of "Twilight" fans were expected to fill theaters for midnight showings. At Jordan Commons, fans were invited to come early and participate in a "Twilight" prom and also give blood in the name of either Edward or Bella, the main characters in the book and film.

Kevin Jeffery and his wife, Amy, came with their three children specifically so Amy could give blood and donate in the name of Edward. She's planning to watch the film Friday night.

"I love the subtle romance," Amy Jeffery said about the book.

Her husband laughed and said he had told his wife he believed every woman in the nation would be watching the film.

Edward and Bella fall in love, despite the fact they probably shouldn't. Edward, after all, is a vampire.

Bri Jimenez, 18, of Sandy, said she loves the "Twilight" books because she can relate to the characters and loves the forbidden romance between Edward and Bella. She and her friend, Katy McDonald, had tickets to the midnight showing at Jordan Commons and were planning to wear "Twilight"-themed T-shirts.

"Every teenage girl, that's like their dream to fall in love with a hot vampire," said Jiminez, laughing. "Every teenage girl could probably relate to it somehow."

That's why Hillary Pierce, 17, said she loves the books. She and her sister, Amanda, 21, also had tickets to the midnight showing and were waiting to compare how well the movie followed the book.

"I'm not expecting it to be the best movie of the year, but I'm going to have a good time," said Amanda Pierce.

"I've already accepted the fact it will be different," said Hillary Pierce. "I have high and low expectations."

Either way, Natawni Burrell, Rain Rigby and Marissa Watson of American Fork don't care. The three girls are all 14 and said they were excited about the film and expected it would grow on them. They came to Jordan Commons on Thursday night dressed in prom dresses in anticipation of the midnight showing.

"They're an obsession," Burrell said about the books. "Once you start reading, you can't stop."

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com