While the box office is performing dreadfully this weekend on the domestic level, there are certainly fireworks abroad, and they are all thanks to an already-released Skyfall in the UK. Deadline somehow managed an advance look at the numbers which will not come out officially until tomorrow, and they are reporting that the expectation is a $32 million three-day open–a new UK box office record. This debut continues a strong line of growth for the Daniel Craig-era in the region as the last two Bond films opened to $21.53 and $24.77 million (in order.)
The reason we care here in the US is because an international box office performance can be a huge precursor for their local counterparts especially when the feature is well-received. Should this prove to be the case once more, we could be looking at an opening in two weekends from now north of $70 million. This is not at all surprising, but the validation today’s news provides is more than welcome.
Oh, and for those of you wondering, the UK population is five times less than that of the United States so some basic math here suggests support could creep to $150 million although regional identity might make that suggestion laughable. Shared 30% growth should prove more agreeable which would imply a $88 million score could be in the cards versus the sub-$70 million that some have been predicting. Only time will tell if the critics’ favorite blockbuster since The Avengers delivers the goods beginning November 9th.
Update: The official line on things is $32.4 million in the UK alone and $77.5 million across 25 markets. That is roughly half of the international territories, so it is definitely a phenomenal performance.