'Quantum of Solace' Sets Bond Box Office Record With $70.4 Million Debut

Quantum of Solace has proven for the third straight week in a row that James Bond is truly a force to be reckoned with.

The 22nd Bond film with Daniel Craig made its United States debut and managed to shatter both records and expectations–grossing an astonishing $70.4 million over the weekend.

That opening total easily makes Quantum of Solace the number one film in the 007 series, rocketing past the previous $47.1 million record held by Die Another Day.

In fact, inflation unadjusted, Quantum of Solace did almost double the box office business that Casino Royale did two years ago during its opening weekend in the US ($40.8 million). It also just beat out Jason Bourne’s US debut of $69.2 million in last year’s The Bourne Ultimatum.

Furthermore, MSN points out that the film drew a bigger audience than the 2002 Bond entry. Based on 2002 admission prices, roughly 8.1 million tickets were sold for Die Another Day in the first weekend, compared to 9.8 million for Quantum of Solace.

Industry expectations had pegged a US debut between $50-60 million for the Bond film. It’s magnificent opening day haul of $27 million was a sign that 007 was aiming higher at the box office.

While reviews for the film have ranged from excellent to ‘good, but not as good as Casino Royale‘ to downright awful, there’s no denying the audience attraction of seeing Craig back again in the Bond role.

‘Audiences have embraced him, and domestic audiences were champing at the bit for the film,’ Sony distribution president Rory Bruer said. ‘It’s certainly gratifying, to say the least.’

The US opening weekend audience for Quantum comprised of 54% males, with 58% of patrons age 25 and older.

The closest competitor to Quantum of Solace in the US was Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, which took in $36.1 million in its second weekend.

Keep on your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page and a upcoming international box office report.

Have you seen Quantum of Solace in theatres yet? Post your review and join in the discussion in the Member Reviews section on the CBn Forums.