007′s latest flick generated $30 million more than 2006′s Casino Royale.
Hollywood let out a collective sigh of relief as moviegoers set aside worries about the economy to deliver a $70.4 million opening for Sony/MGM’s “Quantum of Solace,” the biggest opening ever for a James Bond title and a major victory for a film franchise nearly half a century old.
Previous record-holder for best Bond opening was the $47.1 million for “Die Another Day.” Director Marc Forster’s “Solace,” playing in 3,451 runs, opened 74% higher than the 2006 critically acclaimed “Casino Royale,” which gave a new look and feel to the Bond franchise, as well as a new 007–Daniel Craig.
The specialty side also made headlines over the weekend. Fox Searchlight’s “Slumdog Millionaire” scored the best location average of the year among specialty titles and the fourth best of the year among all titles. Film grossed an estimated $350,434 from 10 theaters for a per-screen average of $35,043 and a cume of $418,131. (It opened Wednesday.)
Weekend was up a staggering 50% over the same frame last year on the strength of “Quantum of Solace” and several holdovers, led by “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” which jumped the $100 million in its second weekend, according to Rentrak.
“Madagascar” sequel declined 43% to an estimated $36.1 million from 4,065 runs for a cume of $118 million. Universal’s R-rated laffer “Role Models” also continued to surprise with its popularity, declining only 39% in its second weekend to an estimated $11.7 million from 2,798 theaters; cume is $38.1 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. “Quantum of Solace,” $70.4 million.
2. “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” $36.1 million.
3. “Role Models,” $11.7 million.
4. “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” $5.9 million.
5. “Changeling,” $4.2 million.
6. “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” $3.2 million.
7. “Soul Men,” $2.43 million.
8. “The Secret Life of Bees,” $2.4 million.
9. “Saw V,” $1.8 million.
10. “The Haunting of Molly Hartley,” $1.6 million.
[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]