Bond record set at US box office

Quantum of Solace has captured a record opening for a Bond film at the North American box office, with takings of more than $70m (£47.4m).

The previous biggest debut was 2002's Die Another Day, while the last Bond film, Casino Royale, took $30m less.

The action film pushed last week's top film, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, into second place, taking $36.1m (£24m).

Box office returns in the US are up 54% compared to the same weekend last year, based on the top 12 movies.

Big weekend

Analysts Media By Numbers also said that takings for 2008 are currently running 1% ahead of last year, which set a record of more than $9bn (£6bn).

But it added that ticket sales are still 3.5% down last year after inflation is taken into account.

US BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE

• 1 Quantum of Solace - $70.4m
• 2 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - $36.1m
• 3 Role Models - $11.7m
• 4 High School Musical 3: Senior Year - $5.9m
• 5 Changeling - $4.2m

There were no other major new film releases in the US this weekend, with most of the box office top 10 lagging behind Bond's benchmark.

Hollywood is also gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend later this month - one of the biggest for US cinema.

New releases expected to boost ticket sales include vampire romance Twilight and animated comedy Bolt, featuring the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus.

Seasonal romp Four Christmases, starring Reece Witherspoon and Vince Vaughan, is also expected to be a major draw in the coming weeks.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Quantum of Solace
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