The new James Bond movie “Skyfall” is off and running overseas, with a $77 million haul in its debut in 25 markets.
Setting the pace was U,K., where the 23rd film in the 50-year-old franchise opened to an estimated $32.4 million. That's the U.K.'s second-best Friday-to-Sunday opening weekend ever, behind only last year's "Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
“Quantum of Solace," the previous film in the franchise, had a $25 million opening weekend in the U.K. in 2008. It went on to take in more than $80 million there, on its way to a global haul of $586 million.
Other impressive bows included France, where "Skyfall" took in $9.1 million; Russia, where it made $8.6 million; Brazil at $6.5 million and South Korea, where it brought in $6.1 million.
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The Imax numbers for "Skyfall" were sensational. It took in $3.5 million in 79 locations over 15 territories for a whopping $45,000 per-screen aveage. That's the best international non-summer/non-holiday opening in the company's history.
“Skyfall” stars Daniel Craig as 007. Sam Mendes (“Revolutionary Road”) directs a cast that includes Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Naomie Harris.
Bond movies hardly need a boost in the U.K., but this one got a ton of exposure in July when Craig helped open the London Olympics along with the Queen.
Sony will open “Skyfall” in the U.S. on Nov. 9.
"Skyfall" wasn't the only spy movie that did well at the foreign box office. Universal’s “Bourne Legacy” added $11.5 million from 26 territories, upping its overall overseas haul to $138 million and its global take to $251 million.
Meanwhile, Sony’s “Hotel Transylvania” took in $18 million from 51 foreign markets, raising its international total to $91 million and its worldwide gross to $221 million.
Paramount's horror thriller “Paranormal Actvity 4” brought in $14 million from 46 markets, upping its foreign take after two weeks to $48 million and its worldwide total to $91 million.