Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 'smashes UK box office records'

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 took an estimated £17.5 million in its first three days on general release, Warner Bros said.

It eclipses the record for a three day opening weekend which was set by the most recent James Bond movie Quantum of Solace in 2008 with £15.3 million.

Official box office figures, due to be released later, are also expected to confirm that the most recent Harry Potter instalment took £5.9 million on Friday and £6.6 million on Saturday.The takings would crown the film as the record holder for biggest Friday, biggest Saturday and biggest single day.

In the US, the movie starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson fetched an estimated $125 million (£78.2 million) on its opening weekend."The opening of this film has become an extraordinary worldwide event," said Josh Berger, president and managing director of Warner Bros Entertainment UK.
"These remarkable box office numbers are a testament to the talents of the filmmakers, cast and to the vision of J.K. Rowling.”

The figures are in keeping with previous successes of the Harry Potter series. The franchise already holds the title for the highest-grossing series of all time, having raked in more than $5.4 billion (£3.4 billion) worldwide through the previous six films.

The fourth film in the Harry Potter film series, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, holds the records for the biggest single day and the biggest Saturday at British cinemas with £5.7m. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is the penultimate instalment in the fantasy film franchise, with Part 2 out on July 15 next year.