‘Spectre’ sets box office records in China

The new Bond movie “Spectre”, starring Daniel Craig, has surpassed ticket sales of the last installment “Skyfall” on Tuesday, taking in more than 376 million yuan (USD 58.9 million) five days after its opening in the world’s second-largest film market.

Facing no other major competition, the 24th installment of the franchise also grabbed several other records, including the biggest Friday opening and the biggest weekend earning for a 2D movie.

Since Casino Royale in 2007, all four Bond movies with Craig in the lead role, have released in China as the series forges a close relationship with the Chinese market, state run Xinhua news agency.

Scenes in Skyfall were shot in the streets of Shanghai. During the promotion of Spectre, Craig showed up at a TV gala to celebrate Singles’ Day on November 11, an online shopping festival created by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

Spectre also starring Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Monica Bellucci and Ralph Fiennes, will release in India on November 20.