Spectre shoots to top of United States box office

James Bond and Charlie Brown brought the box office roaring back to life, as “Spectre” and “The Peanuts Movie” attracted big crowds over their opening weekends. The 24th James Bond adventure opened wide around the world, with stunning results from an additional 72 territories, including the USA, bringing the film’s worldwide cumulative figure to $300 million in less than two weeks.

Spectre, the latest offering from the James Bond franchise has emerged as the second highest opener at the box-office of all its instalments so far, according to Forbes magazine and trade data reported by the global press. “The Peanuts Movie” debuted to US$45 million and may have taken a bite out of “Spectre’s” business. A strong turn in China, where the film has yet to debut, could also help Sam Mendes’ movie match its predecessor. Nonetheless, Spectre’s launch makes it the seventh largest opening of the 12 months, and it bested Quantum of Solace’s $sixty seven.

“They obviously took their time with this project and did it right”, says Jeff Bock, box office analyst for Exhibitor Relations.

The top two films this weekend fall in line with industry expectations of a much needed uptick in the box office as hopeful blockbuster “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” arrives November 20, followed by Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” and Disney’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. With a production budget of $250 million and millions more in marketing costs, Spectre has to pull in $650 million globally to break even.

Third place was held down by “The Martian”, which had a $9.3 million weekend and has grossed $197.1 million over six weeks. Peanuts will have the floor to itself for a little while and provide a fun family alternative for most of the holiday season.

In the United Kingdom, this film has earned £65.5 million in its first 14 days, putting it 3% ahead of Skyfall – the UK’s highest-grossing movie of all time – in the same timeframe. 5 million, and Bridge of Spies made $6.1 million, additionally in its fourth weekend, for a $fifty five million home complete.

Sony’s family film Goosebumps placed # 4 in its 4th frame with $7-M for a North American box office total of $66.5-M.

John Crowley’s period drama Brooklyn, starring Saoirse Ronan, Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight, starring Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams; and Jay Roach’s Trumbo, starring Bryan Cranston.