No Time Die: International box office tracking for a $90 million debut

Daniel Craig’s last hurrah as James Bond is finally upon us after several delays due to the global pandemic. No Time To Die begins its run internationally this week, ahead of its October 8, 2021, launch in the U.S. and now all eyes will be on the Bond film as it becomes the latest tentpole release to text its box office muscle during a time when moviegoing hasn’t 100% stabilized.

No Time To Die begins its international rollout today in Korea and adds other major markets such as the UK, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and Spain, through Friday, October 1. When it’s all said and done, the film will be in over 50 international markets by Sunday and, per “Deadline“, industry experts believe that the latest Bond effort could debut this weekend with $90 million from foreign markets. The low end is reportedly $80 million while $100 million isn’t out of the question depending on word of mouth.

Working in its favor is that built-up anticipation for the film’s release is at a true high for fans so this could be one of those movies that will get even more people to brave a trip to their local cinema. Reviews are solid so far with the film currently holding an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing with our very own Chris Bumbray giving 007 his seal of approval. All of this is important as the film continues its rollout with further key markets including Russia and France joining the U.S. and Canada next week for Bond’s latest adventure. No Time To Die even secured a release in China dated October 29, 2021, which will only help its international chances.

If the film debuts with $90 million from foreign markets, it would be a win for the box office which is still dealing with the global pandemic. For comparison’s sake, 2015’s Spectre opened to $123.5 million internationally while Skyfall pulled in $109.2 million during its offshore debut. Both films opened during a robust box office climate so No Time To Die’s tracking if it holds, would be a solid start.

No Time To Die’s key market is the UK. Both Skyfall and Spectre over-performed in the market (they now sit at No. 2 and No. 3 in the biggest British box offices, respectively), with both smashing opening weekend records (only to be then broken by Avengers: Endgame). No Time To Die is tracking for a $20 million start or more in the UK, which would be the best showing in the area during the pandemic era. The Odeon cinema chain reported, via “Deadline“, that more than 175,000 tickets have been pre-sold which sets September 2021 attendance tracking 10% above the same month in 2019. Any increase is a good increase at this point.

Another key territory for No Time To Die is, surprisingly, Australia. Skyfall grossed $50 million in that market but, given the state of closures in the area due to the pandemic, the market won’t be getting the film until November 11, 2021, and some think piracy will become a factor that could hurt its overall performance in that area once it finally arrives.

A lot is riding on the success of No Time To Die. The Bond film needs to gross $900 million globally just to break even, according to Companies House in the U.K., via The Express. The delays that have plagued No Time To Die have only added to its costs. The film was initially set for release in November of 2019 but a director change took that release date off the books. From there the film was hit with injuries and the global pandemic which has reportedly cost the studio $1 million a month in interest until the movie finally reached its release date.

How do YOU think No Time To Die will perform at the international box office?