All eyes may have been focused on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 2 to see where its box office figures would fall, but Skyfall was the one setting records this weekend.
Studio Briefing posted the total figures which show Skyfall already earning the most money in franchise history. The 23rd Bond blockbuster continued its phenomenal overseas run with another $49.6 million this weekend, bringing the total to $507.9 million internationally. Throw in an additional $41 million from this weekend on top of the previous domestic figures and you have a grand total of $669.2 million world-wide.
The previous best for a Bond film was Casino Royale’s $599.2 million in 2006. Skyfall‘s profits also push Sony Pictures Entertainment to over $4 billion in revenue, a studio record in terms of total grosses. Skyfall is currently the 2nd most profitable of Sony’s films, behind The Amazing Spider-Man ($754 million worldwide) and just ahead of Men in Black 3 ($624 million).
This record is a fitting way for the 50th anniversary of Bond to be marked. The record is due in large part to the fact that Sam Mendes made an excellent Bond film, which some are arguing may be the best ever, and Daniel Craig proved that he is indeed a Bond worthy of his 00 status. Most importantly though, the numbers show that even 50 years later, fans still can’t get enough of the most famous MI6 agent.
If Skyfall continues at its torrid pace, it will certainly have a chance to break the $1 billion barrier, a mark that only 13 films ever have reached, the most recent being The Dark Knight Rises.
The continued financial success of the franchise will surely lead to a future worthy of its rich history. Bond 24 rumors are already circulating, and it’s likely that Sony will want to continue one of its most profitable franchises as soon as it can. Here’s to another strong 50 years for 007.