Skyfall-Poster-showing-Daniel-Craig-as-James-BondIt’s no secret that Sam Mendes’ Skyfall has been one of the biggest films of 2012, but the extent to which the film has been a success around the globe has nonetheless been very surprising.

Back in February, I made my predictions for which films would be entering that elusive club of films who have made $1bn. over the years. Needless to say, The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises were both on there, and both proven to be right. But I readily admit that Skyfall didn’t even really cross my mind.

Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace each took just under $600m., and a $400m. increase in one sequel is a very big ask.

Yet Skyfall has done just that.

Craig’s third outing as the world-renowned James Bond marks the first film in the franchise to cross the billion-dollar mark, and only the fourteenth film in history to date that has achieved that massive milestone. So not only is it now the highest-grossing film of all time in the UK, it’s also one of the highest-grossing films of all time in the world.

Made on a budget of between $150m. and $200m., the film has exceeded all expectations with its box office as well as its critical performance, and has certainly been a highlight of the year in cinema.

As it stands, it is currently #14 on the highest-grossing films of all time list, behind The Dark Knight. But with Skyfall’s grosses standing at approximately $1,000,200,000, and China still to play for, it’s all but guaranteed that the film will close out higher up the list.

Alice in Wonderland sits in 12th place with $1.024bn., closely behind Star Wars Episode I (only due to its 3D release this year) with $1.027, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with $1.043. So if all goes well in Asia in the New Year, and if the film continues to play well elsewhere across the road, we could well see it settling into the Top 10 before long.

What will also be interesting to see is where Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey finishes, and whether it will be joining the club as well, as predicted at the start of the year. Two weeks into its release, it currently stands at over $620m. around the world, and continues to dominate many international territories.

Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is currently in 6th place with $1.119bn., and it would be nice if he were to have two entries to his name in the club, like Christopher Nolan and James Cameron.

Skyfall is due to be released on DVD/Blu-ray in the UK on 18th February, and though no US release date has yet been set, I’d imagine it will be following shortly after.

 

Source: BoxOfficeMojo.