'SPECTRE' smashes Chinese opening weekend records

James Bond has never been bigger in China.

The latest adventure 'SPECTRE' enjoyed an estimated $48m opening weekend. That smashes the previous outing 'Skyfall' which racked up a still impressive $34.2m. 'Skyfall' went on to earn $59m in China, a total that is sure to be blown away by 'SPECTRE'.

Once the weekend tallies are confirmed, 'SPECTRE' will claim the biggest opening weekend of all time and the biggest opening three days ever for a 2D Western film.

By the end of Friday, the film had already grabbed $15m and already claimed the biggest Friday opening all of time for any 2D Western film, the top November opening day of all time, the best Bond opening ever, and a personal best for distributor Sony.

EON and Sony have been very focused on China this go around.

Daniel Craig joined Alibaba founder Jack Ma in a live national broadcast to kick off Singles Day, the country�s biggest online shopping day, which was seen by over 500, viewers. Digital partnerships in China included WeChat, Weibo, and 1905.

To take the sting out of the release of the final part of the 'Hunger Games' franchise on November 20th, an entire episode of talk show 'Day Day Up' will be devoted entirely to 'SPECTRE' and will reach over 70m viewers and more online. This is the first time a foreign film has been the dedicated theme of the show.

Before the premiere this week, Craig, Seydoux, and producer Barbara Broccoli hosted a huge publicity tour. The premiere itself was streamed online to a large national audience. Before the film opened, Seydoux and Broccoli took part in a special Apple Store event with a Q&A; that was streamed to over 23m. There were also were visits to shows with some of the biggest ratings in China, including 'The Best' talk show which preceded a broadcast of 'Quantum Of Solace'.

China could be the third most lucrative market for 'SPECTRE' behind the US and UK, if it can over take France and Germany.

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