?Skyfall? Opens to $87.8 Million, Setting New Record for Best Bond Debut

Bond thriller Skyfall ruled the box office this weekend with an estimated debut of $87.8 million. The film starring Daniel Craig, the 23rd in the Bond series, set a new record for best Bond debut and has so far earned over $500 million worldwide. Studio execs are naturally thrilled by the windfall that is Skyfall.
"It's quite a testament to Bond, considering it's the 50th anniversary," Rory Bruer, Sony’s head of distribution, told The Hollywood Reporter. "It's been a wild, fantastic ride. The holds have been extraordinary and people will want to see this film again and again." Disney’s animated comedy Wreck-It Ralph placed a distant second with earnings of $33 million, while Paramount Pictures’ Flight pulled in $15.1 million. Both films are entering their third week in theaters.Argo and Taken 2 round out the list of top five earners with respective earnings of $6.7 and $4 million. Argo has been in theaters for five weeks, while Taken 2 has been showing for six. Here Comes the Boom, Cloud Atlas, and Pitch Perfect placed sixth through eighth with each film earning around $2.5 million. The Man with the Iron Fists trailed with earnings of $4.9 million, while the tenth place contender, Hotel Transylvania, came in at $2.3 million. This Friday brings the release of the highly-anticipated The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. Will Skyfall hold on to its box office lead? Or will Edward and Bella take down James bond? Check back next week to find out!Box Office Mojo
Photo: Skyfall