Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Enjoys Biggest Opening Weekend in Franchise History

Written by Brandon Hofer on November 01, 2022

News: The latest entry in the Call of Duty franchise is already making history and it hasn’t even been out a week yet.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II launched last week and it has put up incredible numbers in a short amount of time. According to Activision, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II has become the #1 top-selling opening weekend ever in the franchise. It has delivered more than $800 million worldwide in sell-through following the first three days from its release on October 28, 2022. This blockbuster opening tops any of the biggest worldwide box office openings of 2022, surpassing ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ and ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ worldwide box office openings combined.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II also set a new franchise opening-weekend record as the #1 top-selling Call of Duty digital opening through its first three days. Developed by Infinity Ward, the release of Modern Warfare II takes the franchise in a new direction, which will continue with the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Warzone 20 on November 16.

"Thank you to our talented team that has created magic through extraordinary artistry and technology, and to the global community of players who find joy and connection through Call of Duty. This milestone belongs to them,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard.

Through only its first three days of release, Modern Warfare II’s opening topped the previous five-day franchise record set in 2011 by Modern Warfare 3 in sell-through, to become the biggest opening ever in Call of Duty. Players around the world took part in the new launch, setting new player participation franchise records for the number of unique players and hours played through its first three days of premium release.

“Thank you, Call of Duty players, for making Modern Warfare II’s launch one for the record books as well as the highest-grossing entertainment opening of the year. It is our honor and privilege to deliver such a historic launch weekend for the best fans in the world,” said Johanna Faries, General Manager, Call of Duty. “As amazing as this opening has been, Call of Duty has much more in store. An unprecedented level of support for the Modern Warfare universe is on the horizon and Warzone 2.0’s launch is right around the corner. It’s an incredible time for the franchise.”

Modern Warfare II is available worldwide on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC in a fully optimized experience for Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service, and Steam. Modern Warfare II development is led by Infinity Ward alongside a number of other studios, including Activision Central Design, Activision Central Tech, Activision Localization Dublin, Activision QA, Activision Shanghai, Beenox, Demonware, High Moon Studios, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Toys for Bob and Treyarch.

Take a look at the launch trailer below and tell us what you think. Have you picked up Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II? If not, will you pick it up?