Official - Bond beats Potter in the battle of the box office

25-Nov-2002 • Bond News

From Associated Press:

Die Another Day, the 20th Bond flick, took in $47 million US at theatres in the United States and Canada over it opening weekend, making it the best debut ever for the franchise.

The Bond movie bumped last weekend`s top film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, to No. 2. In its second weekend, Chamber of Secrets grossed $42.4 million US, pushing its 10-day total to $148.5 million US.

Friday After Next, the third in Ice Cube`s series of Friday urban comedies, opened in third place with $13.1 million US. Kevin Kline`s The Emperor`s Club, about a prep-school teacher`s relationship with a troublesome teen, debuted at No. 7 with $4.1 million US.

Both Friday After Next and The Emperor`s Club played in far fewer theatres than the Bond or Potter movies.

Die Another Day beat the opening gross of the last Bond movie, The World Is Not Enough, the franchise`s previous best debut at $35.5 million US.

Pierce Brosnan has drawn favourable reviews for his fourth outing as agent 007. The addition of Halle Berry as Bond`s formidable American ally and love interest, plus a cameo and theme song by Madonna, helped reinvigorate the 40-year-old franchise.

1. Die Another Day, $47 million.

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, $42.4 million.

3. Friday After Next, $13.1 million.