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Fifty Shades of Grey smashes box office with record £53million

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Fifty Shades of Grey pulled in a record £53million at box offices across the world, when it premiered over the Valentine's Day weekend. Despite the movie gaining mixed reviews, fans of the E. L. James original novel flocked to the cinema to judge the erotic film adaptation for themselves.

The new record, which was taken over the three-day period, trumped the previous record holder by millions. Romantic comedy Valentine's Day pulled in £41million over four days when it was released in 2010.

Fifty Shades of Grey is expected to haul in at least another £5million on Monday, as cinema-goers in the US enjoy the day off to celebrate President's Day.

50 shades of grey1 © Photo: Getty Images

Fifty Shades of Grey topped the previous record holder Valentine's Day by £12million

The film, which sees Jamie Dornan play the sexually-charged businessman Christian Grey, nearly broke another record – the most successful February opening of all time. This title is still held by Mel Gibson's biblical drama The Passion of the Christ, which drew in £54million in 2004.

Jamie and fellow protagonist Dakota Johnson, who stars as Anastasia Steele, have spent the past week promoting the film, starting with the world premiere in Berlin on Wednesday. The following night the duo jetted to London to showcase the UK premiere.

Author E.L. James, whose real name is Erika Mitchell and whose books have sold 70 million copies worldwide, also attended the screenings, alongside the film's director Sam Taylor-Johnson.

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Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan star as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey

Irish actor Jamie, 32, expressed his surprise at the huge amount of crowds who had gathered in Berlin. "We knew how many people read the books, we were ready for this in a way. But this is mad," he said.

Fifty Shades of Grey: 15 surprising facts

Dakota, meanwhile, told reporters she has no "expectations" but hopes that people enjoy the film. "This is so crazy," said the 25-year-old temptress. "I'm just trying to be cool. My expectations? I don't have any. I just really hope they like the movie."