There was no doubt James Bond’s 23rd outing was going to make a big splash at the domestic box-office after Skyfall lit up the international scene and took to 3,505 theaters stateside, but how big it would go was a big of a question mark.
The largest opening ever for a Bond film was $67.5 million from Quantum of Solace, but you can kiss that record good bye by more than $20 million as Skyfall brought in a massive $87.8 million this weekend, $13.1 million of which came from IMAX screenings, which doesn’t include an additional $2.2 million from Thursday night screenings.
Skyfall also earned an impressive “A” Cinemascore, which means this one is going to have long legs, and at this point the only question is to wonder “How long?”
Looking over Laremy’s predictions from Thursday, he was a bit low with his $78.2 million prediction, but moving down to reader predictions and Phil Dunphy was only a fraction off with a solid $88.1 million prediction, just edging out Chris Etrata at $87.3 million.
It was also a good weekend for last week’s new releases with Wreck-It Ralph dropping only 33% for $33.1 million in its second weekend. Now up to $93.7 million it will certainly be a top contender for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars this year.
Additionally, Flight, adding 163 theaters, held on nicely in its second weekend after a strong first week opener. Dipping only 39%, the Denzel Washington drama brought in $15.1 million this weekend and is now at $47.8 million in its first two weeks. Denzel is a definite Best Actor contender, but I’m now wondering if this one has a solid shot at holding on for a Best Picture nom. Your thoughts?
Speaking of Oscars, there’s also big news for Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, which is off to a massive start considering it only opened this weekend in 11 theaters and managed to pull in $900,000 for an $81,818 per theater average. Dreamworks decided on a limited release with this one, letting Skyfall have the big weekend and build buzz as Lincoln goes wide next week and it looks like it worked. The start of what is sure to be an aggressive Oscar campaign is underway.
I have included the complete top ten below and along with Lincoln going wide next weekend we finally see the end of the tunnel for the current incarnation of the Twilight franchise as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 arrives in 4,000+ theaters.
The record opening for a Twilight film is New Moon, which made $142.8 million in 2009. I have no doubt Breaking Dawn – Part 2 will beat that number, but I’m asking you… do you have an estimate on what it will be?
Additionally, Anna Karenina and Silver Linings Playbook hit limited theaters next weekend, the latter of which I strongly recommend you seek out.
