James Bond’s “Skyfall” has hauled in a record-breaking $87.8 million during it’s first weekend in U.S. theaters.  Add to that the $2.2 million it brought in on Thursday night, and “Skyfall” has brought in $90 million domestically.

That makes the worldwide total for “Skyfall” $518.6 million since it was released overseas in October.

The third installment starring Daniel Craig as British super-spy Bond, “Skyfall” outdid the $67.5 million U.S. debut of 2008′s “Quantum of Solace,” the franchise’s previous best opening. “Skyfall” more than doubled the $40.8 million debut of Craig’s first Bond film, 2006′s “Casino Royale.”

“Skyfall” already has passed the $407.7 million overseas total for “Quantum of Solace” and by Monday, it will top the $432.2 million international haul for “Casino Royale.”

The Craig era has reinvigorated one of Hollywood’s most-enduring franchises, whose first big-screen Bond adventure, “Dr. No,” debuted 50 years ago.

“It’s quite a testament to Bond, considering it’s the 50th anniversary. What a great anniversary present,” said Rory Bruer, head of distribution at Sony, which produces the Bond films along with MGM.

While “Skyfall” marked a new high for Bond’s opening-weekend revenue, the film has a long way to go to match the biggest audiences 007 has ever drawn. Adjusted for inflation, Sean Connery’s 1965 Bond adventure “Thunderball” would have taken in an estimated $508 million domestically in today’s dollars, with its 1964 predecessor “Goldfinger” not far behind at $444 million, according to box-office tracker Hollywood.com.

The Bond films over the last two decades have come in around the $200 million range domestically in inflation-adjusted dollars.

Still, Craig’s Bond is setting a new critical standard for the franchise. While “Quantum of Solace” had a so-so critical reception, “Skyfall” and “Casino Royale” are among the best-reviewed Bond films, with critics and fans enjoying the darker edge Craig has imprinted on 007.

“‘Skyfall’ is to the Bond franchise what `The Dark Knight’ was to the Batman franchise,” said Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “By taking it to a whole other level, this is a different kind of Bond that can be taken really seriously.”

I really want to see this, I’m going to have to get in to see it this week. Tonight I’m heading out to see a screening of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence’s new movie, “The Silver Linings Playbook”, and I’m TOTALLY excited to see that!

Source