Skyfall takes P77.7M in 5 days

MANILA, Philippines - Box-office numbers shot through the sky for Columbia Pictures’ latest James Bond action-thriller Skyfall as it opened at No. 1 with a nationwide gross of P77.7M for the Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 period. This was announced by Victor Cabrera, managing director of Columbia Pictures.

Arriving in IMAX, 2D and regular theaters, Skyfall now holds the record for the biggest opening ever for a James Bond film, outpacing 2008’s Quantum of Solace — as well as the fifth — best launch all-time for a Columbia Pictures title, ahead of 2002’s Spider-Man.

Internationally, Skyfall took in $156M over the weekend bringing its overseas total to $287M. The film opens in North America on Nov. 9.

In the Philippines, the highest box-office receipts were led by SM Mall of Asia (P4.68M), Trinoma (P4.52M) and Power Plant (P3.56M).

Not to be outdone are SM North EDSA (P3.11M), Newport (P3.06M), Greenbelt 3 (P2.87M), SM Megamall, (P2.71M), Glorietta 4 (P2.51M), SM Cebu (P2.36M) and Eastwood (P2.33M).

Completing the Top 20 cinemas are Alabang Town Center (P2.20M), Shang Cineplex (P1.59M), Greenhills (P1.56M), SM Lanang Davao (P1.52M), Gateway (P1.40M), SM Southmall (P1.33M), Ayala Cebu (P1.28M), Robinsons Magnolia (P1.14M), Festival (P1.13M) and Robinsons Ermita (P1.11M).

Skyfall is also a big hit among Filipino critics, most of them hailing it as the best of the franchise.

“Skyfall earns its spurs as the pantheon’s best by placing human connections front and center,” noted David Dizon of abs-cbnnews.com. “It shows us a Bond that is willing to endure pain not out of Craig is back as James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd installment of the longest-running film franchise in history. In the film, Bond’s loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as her past returns to haunt her. 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Skyfall, distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International, is still showing in theaters nationwide.