In a press release issued to the media on November 2 by Eon Productions, MGM and Sony, it was announced that the new 007 movie ‘Skyfall’ has had the highest-grossing first week in British cinema history.
The press release stated that the new Bond adventure, which went on general release in the UK on Friday October 26, has taken an ‘extraordinary’ £37.2 million in its opening week in Britain, even overtaking ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’, to secure the largest 7-day gross in UK box office history.
The Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson commented: ‘We are very grateful to the Bond fans and all the UK cinema audiences for making Skyfall the biggest opening week ever during our 50th anniversary year’.
Gary Barber, chairman and CEO of MGM, also commented: ‘The continued record-breaking success of this film is a true testament to all involved and the global power of this 50 year old franchise’.
Reports from cinemas across Britain have said the movie has been packing audiences into every performance, and a number of cinemas have put on extra screenings to meet the demand, including extra morning showings. The first week of general release in the UK also coincided with the half-term holidays of many schools, and this has also helped to boost ticket-sales.
Daniel Craig’s third Bond adventure, which has been receiving rave reviews in Britain and Europe generally, is due to go on general release in the USA on November 9.