Dubai cinemas sell out as Daniel Craig's No Time To Die is released

More than 150,000 people expected to watch 'No Time To Die' on big screen in Dubai this weekend

Lashana Lynch, Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux attend the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’ at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on September 28, 2021. Photo: Getty

Actor Rami Malek arrives at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Photo: Getty

A military band plays at the Royal Albert Hall, London, before the start of the star-studded but much-delayed world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’. Photo: AFP

English singer-songwriter Jay Kay attends the world premiere.

Lashana Lynch, who co-stars in ‘No Time to Die’, attends the world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Lead actor Daniel Craig gives the trademark James Bond stare on arriving at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’. Photo: Getty

The opening performance at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’ is performed by The Royal Marines Band at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Photo: Getty

Aquaman actor and producer Jason Momoa attends the premiere. Photo: Getty

'No Time to Die' is believed to be Daniel Craig's final Bond movie. Photo: EPA

Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas attends the world premiere. Photo: Getty

American singer-songwriters Finneas O'Connell, left, and Billie Eilish pose for photographers upon arrival for the world premiere. Photo: AP

Naomie Harris attends the premiere. Photo: Getty

The Royal Marines Band perform at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

English actor Daniel Craig walks on the red carpet after arriving at the star-studded but much-delayed world premiere of the latest James Bond film. Photo: AFP

Lea Seydoux attends the world premier event in London. Photo: Getty

Star Daniel Craig poses during the premiere. 'No Time to Die' will be his fifth James Bond film since starting with 'Casino Royale'. Photo: Reuters

British actress and TV writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge attends the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Dame Judi Dench attends the premiere. Photo: Getty

US-British film producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson pose on the red carpet. Broccoli is the daughter of ‘James Bond’ producer Albert Broccoli. Photo: AFP

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, poses for photographers upon arrival at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’ at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on September 28, 2021. Photo: AP

Barbara Broccoli; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Michael G Wilson attend the premiere. Photo: Getty

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are greeted by Michael G Wilson at the event. Photo: Getty

Charles, Price of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, walk on the red carpet, followed by producer Barbara Broccoli, Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. Photo: AP

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and her husband Charles, Prince of Wales attend the premiere. Photo: Getty

Screenings across Dubai are sold out this weekend as the new James Bond film arrives in theatres.

Extra showings have been put on around the clock to meet demand from fans eager to see Daniel Craig’s swansong as the legendary secret agent in No Time To Die.

At least 150,000 people are expected to be sitting in cinemas around the UAE this weekend to watch 007's latest adventure, said Toni El Massih, chief content officer at Vox Cinemas.

The film was released at midnight on Thursday, September 30, and the response from audiences has been rapturous so far, according to cinema management.=

"This is the movie that everyone has been waiting for as it was delayed because of the pandemic,” Mr El Massih said.

“It opened at midnight and the audiences have been raving about it ever since, with many saying it’s the best Bond film to date.

“We are witnessing sold-out sessions across the group, despite having to put on extra screenings to cope with the demand.”

The chain has now opened several branches until 3am to accommodate the demand from audiences to catch Daniel Craig’s final appearance as Bond on the big screen.

“This is the latest we have been open since the pandemic began,” he said.

“The film has pulled a massive audience, unlike any other since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis.

“The response from the public to this film has been exceptional. The reviews have been really positive, which has helped, but I think it’s down to a real desire to return to the cinema.”

The plot of No Time To Die certainly seems prescient in a world getting to grips with the effects of Covid-19, as 007 goes up against Rami Malek’s villain who plans to release a deadly virus infecting millions of people around the globe.

The film was originally meant to be released in early 2020 but was delayed several times because of Covid-19 restrictions.

“Everybody wants to be the first to see it,” said Victoria Lynn, general manager of attractions for Dubai Holdings, the parent group of Roxy Cinemas, who have five branches in the emirate.

“We are 100 per cent sold out of screenings of No Time To Die this weekend, despite putting extra screenings on because of the demand.

“We are expecting to have thousands of people in our cinemas just to watch the latest Bond film.”

She said part of the movie’s appeal to audiences was due to the fact they could not watch it anywhere else.

Many of the blockbuster films released since the beginning of the pandemic were also simultaneously available to watch on demand at home, owing to Covid-19 restrictions.

“That was not the case with No Time to Die, which is one of the reasons why people are so determined to come back to cinemas to watch it,” she said.

“We haven’t seen anything like this since before the days of Covid-19.

“If you haven’t already booked you won’t be able to see it this weekend.”