“SPECTRE” The Biggest Opening of All Time in UK Box Office History

CULVER CITY, Calif., November 1, 2015 – Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today that SPECTRE has shattered box office records in nearly every market in which it has been released, led by a historic performance in the UK.  

In total in the six released territories, the film has taken in $80.4 million, including $67.7 million from SPRI territories and $12.7 million from territories in which MGM is distributing.

In the UK, the film has opened to an estimated £41.7 million ($63.8 million USD) in its first seven days of release, securing new records for the biggest opening of all time in UK box office history.

SPECTRE took the opening record from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanwhich was also released on a Monday to £23.882 million. SPECTRE also achieved a new record for the highest seven-day gross in UK box office history, overtaking the last James Bond film, SKYFALL.

SPECTRE, the 24th James Bond adventure, continues the longest running and most successful film franchise in cinema history. The film opened in 647 cinemas and on 2,500 screens, making it the widest release of all time in the UK and Ireland.

The UK wasn’t alone in shattering box office records as nearly every releasing market saw SPECTRE make history as the biggest box office opening of all-time. 

In the Netherlands,SPECTRE took in 3.3 million Euro ($3.7 million USD), surpassing the record set by Skyfall and bringing its cume to $3.9 million including previews. 

In the Nordic region, markets distributed by MGM, SPECTRE took in a total of $12.7 million USD, setting new opening records in Finland and Norway, both surpassing Skyfall– Finland took in 2.35 million Euro ($2.63 million USD), and Norway 24.4 million krone ($2.88 million USD).  The film also set a new record in Denmark for the biggest three-day opening of all time, as SPECTRE took in 28.1 million krone ($4.21 million USD), also surpassing Skyfall.  In Sweden, SPECTRE took in 24.95 million krone ($2.97 million USD), a spectacular result that is 30% over the opening of Skyfall.

SPECTRE has also set a new IMAX record, recording the highest per-location average in IMAX history as the first film ever to top a $100,000 per-location average, with $105,000 in 47 IMAX locations.

In response to the #1 UK opening, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said, “We’re so grateful to all our James Bond fans and the British public for making SPECTRE’s debut in the UK box office history!”

“What an incredible thrill it is for us at MGM to see how James Bond continues to deliver such excitement to his fans. This record-breaking support from UK audiences for what is our 24th outing is nothing short of amazing. We can't wait for the rest of the world to see SPECTRE,” said Gary Barber, MGM Chairman and CEO.

Peter Taylor, Managing Director Sony Pictures UK, also commented“We are delighted that audiences in the UK and Ireland continue to embrace these stories about one of our biggest and best cultural icons.  This opening proves once again, that the film world of James Bond speaks to cinema-goers like no other.”

ABOUT “SPECTRE”

A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond (Daniel Craig) on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal.  Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organisation known as SPECTRE.  

Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Centre for National Security, questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes). Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) to help him seek out Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), the daughter of his old nemesis Mr White (Jesper Christensen), who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot. 

As Bond ventures towards the heart of SPECTRE, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks, played by Christoph Waltz. 

Sam Mendes returns to direct SPECTRE, with Daniel Craig reprising his role as 007 for the fourth time. SPECTRE is produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.  The screenplay is by John Logan and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Jez Butterworth, with a story by John Logan and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade.

SPECTRE opens across the Philippines on Friday, Nov. 6 and is distributed by Columbia Pictures.