'Quantum of Solace' Rules International Box Office

Quantum of Solace struck gold at the international box office yet again.

In its second weekend, the 22nd James Bond film went on general release in 58 new markets around the world and opened bigger than 2006’s Casino Royale in every single one of them (13 of Quantum‘s international opens even managed to double what Royale did two years ago).

Variety reports that Daniel Craig’s second 007 entry grossed a whopping $106.5 million this weekend at 9,870 playdates in all of its current 61 territories, making it the 11th biggest international weekend ever. The film grossed more than triple the combined foreign take for the next four entries on the list: High School Musical 3, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Body of Lies, and Saw V.

Average gross per location was a very strong $10,790. Despite not having opened in the US, Australia, Japan, Mexico and Spain yet, the 10-day cumulative total for Quantum of Solace stands at $160.3 million.

The global success of Quantum propelled it to the #2 spot of largest international weekends of 2008, behind the $146.6 debut of Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The record breaking continued as well with Bond posting the top opening ever in Switzerland at $3.8 million, Finland at $1.7 million and the United Arab Emirates at $1 million along with Nigeria, Romania and Slovenia. The film also managed the second best ever in both China and India for an international film with its $9.1 million and $3.7 million deubuts, respectively.

Overall, Quantum of Solace did the best business in the UK for the second straight week, declining just 40% from it’s stunning opening last weekend to take in $15.1 million (10-day cumulative of $50.3 million). Germany followed with a $15 million debut, Russia and China with $9.1 million each, South Korea with $4.5 million, Italy with $4.3, Switzerland with $3.8 million, India with $3.5 million, Denmark with $2.9 million, Norway with $2.3, Holland with $2.2 million and Austria with $2.1 million.

Bond held strong for the second weekend in France and Sweden as well, declining 46% to $5.7 million (10-day cumulative of $20.5 million in the former) and 42% to $1.4 million in the latter.

Mark Zucker, Sony’s president of international distribution, stated that the box office prowess of Quantum of Solace has far exceeded internal forecasts, demonstrating unexpectedly strong traction among teens.

‘I thought we were headed toward $80 million, but clearly I was wrong,’ said Zucker. ‘Saturday (business) was just beyond anything, just gangbusters everywhere.’

The film is expected to stay strong internationally going in these upcoming weeks with its main competitors (Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Twilight, and Bolt) opening gradually around the world.

This upcoming weekend sees 007 debut in the US, Mexico, Hungary and Vietnam.

Click here for the complete box office details.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest details as Quantum of Solace continues to open around the world. We’ll have all the latest fan and critic reactions, box office news and much more.

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