Although it didn’t break any 007 or pandemic records, it was not a disappointing opening and is actually the fourth-best in the 25-film series. When it comes to opening weekends, James Bond isn’t Marvel. Bond always had an older audience, which is less likely to rush out on the first weekend. The best Bond opening didn’t even reach $100 million. It was $88.4 Million for Skyfall, which debuted in 2012.
Erik Lomis (head of distribution at United Artists Releasing) said that it was a long process to see the movie on the big screen. “It’s exactly where we expected it to be, and exactly where tracking predicted it should be.”
This installment was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and stars Lea Seydoux as the antagonist, alongside Naomie Harris (Ben Whishaw), Naomie Harris, Ana de Armas. Both audiences and critics have responded positively to this installment (84% on Rotten Tomatoes, and an A- CinemaScore). Exit data showed that audiences were overwhelmingly male (64%), and more than 35 (57%).
Craig spoke Sunday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, saying that he was just “really, really relieved” that the movie is now in cinemas and that people have the chance to see it. It is a movie that I am proud of, and I love all of them. But I wanted people to see it in a large group like the one here today. This is what we do. It’s what we do as a social species.
Craig was honored to be the NASCAR playoff winner, where he waved his green flag.
A streaming or hybrid release was not considered for “No Time to Die,” unlike many other films that were released during the pandemic. It was the longest Bond movie at 2 hours and 43 minutes. The film also had a reported production budget around $250 million. Marketing costs were reportedly more than $100 million.
Lomis spoke highly of the producers, saying that Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were big believers in the theatrical experience. They made a great movie, and we all held it together for theatrical. This was extremely important for us, the theater owners and them. It’s very satisfying to see such a result.
United Artists Releasing North America, which is the distributor of the film, reported that 25% of moviegoers went back to the theaters this weekend for the first time in 18-months. This suggests that the film has legs.
Lomis said, “That was, I thought, a pretty significant statistic.”
He stated that he has been receiving calls from theater owners across the country stating that the audience is applauding at every end of the movie.
The international market is what ultimately determines the success of Bond movies. In the Craig era, over 70% of global gross revenues were attributed to international. Universal handled some territories while MGM took care of others. “No Time to Die,” which was launched internationally last weekend, saw Universal handle some territories while MGM took care of others. Global gross revenues were over $313.3 millions as of Sunday.
Paul Dergarabedian (Comscore’s senior media analyst) stated that “This movie was bigger than life” because it was the first movie to be released after the pandemic. It is amazing to see Bond still appealing, viable, and relevant 60 years later.
Last week’s No. 2 film was in second place. The No. 1 film, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”, fell 64% from its record-breaking $90 million launch and earned $32 million its second weekend. To date, $185.6 million has been earned worldwide by the Sony sequel.
It was a quiet week at the box-office, except for Bond. A24’s haunting Icelandic movie “Lamb,” which grossed $1 million in just 583 theaters, and Bleecker Street’s “Mass,” which was released on four screens for $14,457.
Disney expects to surpass the $2 billion mark in worldwide box office earnings by 2021, as it did Monday. The momentum should continue through October with “Halloween Kills”, and “Dune,” both of which have already earned $117 million globally.
Dergarabedian stated that a year ago, we were in dire straits. “The year so far is 32% more than last year. We are gaining ground and have many big movies in the pipeline. The industry is moving forward and “Halloween Kills” could be much larger than anyone expected.
According to Comscore, Friday through Sunday ticket sales were estimated at U.S. theaters and Canadian theatres. Monday will see the release of final domestic figures.
1. “No Time to Die,” $56 million.
2. “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” $32 million.
3. “The Addams Family 2,” $10 million.
4. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” $4.2 million.
5. “The Many Saints of Newark,” $1.5 million.
6. “Free Guy,” $1.3 million.
7. “Lamb,” $1 million.
8. “Dear Evan Hansen,” $1 million.
9. “Candyman,” $700,000.
10. “Jungle Cruise” $214,000.
