Skyfall Breaks Box Office Record For Bond Films

After the crashing disappointment that was Quantum Of Solace in 2008, Skyfall marks the most impressive return to form, standing comparison with Daniel Craig’s first outing as 007 in the superb Casino Royale, and laying serious claim to being the best Bond  film ever made.

The 23rd Bond film which has been a huge hit with the critics, also topped box office rankings around the world after opening on Friday.

The movie, which has not yet been shown in the US, took $77.7m (£48.3m) across the globe, and was number one in every country where it opened.

In the UK, as well as making history as the biggest Bond opening weekend of all time, Skyfall set a new record as the most attended film on a Saturday. However Skyfall failed to smash the record set by last year’s Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2.

The movie, which stars Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe, claimed the biggest opening of the year so far in the UK.

Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the 23rd 007 movie, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed with the reaction to Skyfall this weekend. It is particularly thrilling as the UK is home to James Bond and it being the 50th anniversary year.”

James Bond is the longest-running film franchise in history.

Jeff Blake, Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, said: “To have Skyfall embraced at such unprecedented levels is tremendously exciting.”

Craig has signed up to return as 007 in two more Bond films, in the longest-running and most successful franchise in film history.

His Bond debut Casino Royale took £13.4m in its opening weekend in the UK, while 2008 film Quantum Of Solace raked in £15.4m.

The royal world premiere of the Sam Mendes film took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London last week, attended by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.