Latest Bond takes an extraordinary $59.8m (£37.2m) in its first week, the biggest seven day gross in UK box office history.

Not content with the second-highest Fri-Sun opening of all time at $32.4m (£20.2m), Skyfall has continued to dominate in the UK amassing an exceptional $59.8m (£37.2m) in its first week to record the biggest-ever seven day gross at the UK box office.

That tally was enough to topple Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’s $57.5m (£35.7m) opening week and immediately puts Skyfall as the year’s third biggest hit behind Marvel Avengers Assemble ($83.5m/£51.9m) and The Dark Knight Rises ($90.5m/£56.3m), both of which are almost certain to be overtaken by Sony’s behemoth.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the critical and commercial reaction Skyfall has received,” commented Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution. “The results are a true testament to the 50 year legacy of James Bond. The best is still yet to come in the UK and all around the world.”

“We are very grateful to the Bond fans and all UK cinema audiences for making Skyfall the biggest opening week ever during our 50th anniversary year,” added producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

The school half term also benefitted Paramount’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted as it added $6.7m (£4.1m) between Mon-Thurs to stand at $23.6m (£14.7m), while Sony’s Hotel Transylvania took $2.2m (£1.4m) for $9.7m (£6m) to date.