New James Bond film Spectre smashes British box office record

The new Bond film Spectre has smashed the British box office record with takings of £40 million in its first week.

The launch of the film eclipses the previous record holder Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

The £200m budget film has already taken more than £52m globally, before its US launch on Friday.

Daniel Craig is back as bond. Credit: PA

On the back of mostly positive critical response it is expected to do well in US cinemas, according to reports.

Top grossing films of all time at the UK Box Office:

1 Skyfall, £102.9m, 2012

2 Avatar, £94m, 2009

3 Titanic £80.1m, 1998/2012

4 Toy Story 3, £74.0m, 2010

5 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, £73.1, 2011

6 Mamma Mia! £68.5m, 2008

7 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, £66.1, 2001

8 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, £63m, 2001

9 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, £61.1, 2003

10 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, £57.6, 2002

The new James bond movie has some way to go to beat the takings of the year’s biggest film so far, Jurassic World, which has grossed more than £1 billion around the world.

Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci, Sam Mendes, Christoph Waltz. Credit: PA

One report suggested the cost for cars written off during filming Spectre was £24m.

We set the record for smashing up cars on Spectre.

In Rome, we wrecked millions of pounds’ worth.

They were going into the Vatican at top speeds of 110mph.

We shot one entire night for four seconds of film.

– GARY POWELL, THE FILM’S CHIEF STUNT COORDINATOR, SPEAKING TO THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes, is the 24th film of the Bond franchise and Daniel Craig’s fourth in the leading riole.