Weekend Box Office: Quantum Offers Solace to Many

Run, Mr. Bond! The next Quantum of Solace showing is nearly sold out! 

Okay, there never was a question that Quantum of Solace was going to win this weekend’s box office–it was just about how much it would make. And the answer is…a lot, as in an estimated $70.4 million. That’s 74% more than its predecessor, Casino Royale, made in its US opening; in fact, it’s a record for a Bond film debut.

Of course, Casino was a film that continued to grow on strong word of mouth, and its positive reception and revival of the franchise contributed mightily to Quantum’s success this weekend. The outstanding box office for Quantum around the world (as it has already opened just about everywhere else but the US, it seems) also created strong buzz and interest in the film. No doubt it will continue to perform well throughout the holiday season.

There weren’t any other big openings this week, as studios wisely steered clear of the Bond juggernaut, so second place handily to last weekend’s number one–Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The animated family film picked up another $36.1 million, to push its total to $118 million. In other words, the Madagascar folks are pretty happy and don’t give a damn what 007 does.

Third place also went to a holdover, Role Models, which $11.7 million. That one’s already done better than expected, so no complaints there. Fourth place went to mega-earner High School Musical 3, with $5.9 million and Changeling rounded out the top five with $4.2 million (all numbers courtesy of Variety).

In specialty news, Slumdog Millionaire, the widely acclaimed Danny Boyle film, made $350,434 at ten theaters, giving it a–oh come on, do I really need to do your math here? Okay, a $35,043 per screen average. That’s pretty good and I’m sure all involved are nice and happy. Good reviews and an impressive per screen average. A movie can’t ask for a lot more, right?

Next week we get to see how teen vampires perform against James Bond. This could get ugly. No, I’m just kidding–there are far too many pretty people involved on all counts for that to happen.