LONDON, England (AFP) — Skyfall has taken more in its opening weekend at the British box office than any previous James Bond film, its producers said on Monday.

Starring Daniel Craig as 007 for a third time, Skyfall has made £20.1 million (US$32.2 million, ¤25.0 million) in Britain and Ireland since opening in both countries on Friday, according to a statement on its website.

"We are absolutely overwhelmed with the reaction to Skyfall this weekend," said producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

"It is particularly thrilling as the UK is home to James Bond and it being the 50th anniversary year."

Critics have declared the 23rd Bond film, starring Spanish actor Javier Bardem as Bond's latest nemesis, to be one of the finest in the suave British spy's 50 years on the screen.

Directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes, it opens with a spectacular chase scene in an Istanbul market but returns to home ground with a terror attack in London.

The Bond franchise is one of the most successful in history, with the 22 other films released so far taking more than US$5 billion (¤3.85 billion).

Bond was first transported from Ian Fleming's novels to the silver screen in 1962 with Dr No, starring Sean Connery.