The UK launch of 'Thunderball' (1965) held dual premieres in London on 29th December 1965 at the Rialto Theatre and Pavillion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus. The after-party was held at the Royal Garden Hotel and proceeds from the night went to benefit the Newspaper Press Fund.
During the filming of Thunderball (1965), principal photography at the Château d'Anet, Anet, Eure-et-Loir, France coincided with the French Premiere of the previous James Bond movie, Goldfinger (1964). As such, members of the production attended the French launch.
The World Premiere of Thunderball (1965) was held on 9th December 1965 at the Hibiya Cinema, Tokyo, Japan. The film's US Premiere was on 21 December 1965 in New York and this is sometimes mistaken as being the movie's World Premiere. United Artists arranged one of the Bell Jet-Pack pilots to fly off the marquee of the Paramount Theater at 1501 Broadway, Manhattan as a promotion at the launch. A number of United Artists publicity personnel and the pilot were arrested as no one had sought permission from the authorities.
The London 'Thunderball' Premiere at the Rialto Cinema was attended by John Richardson and the film's cast members Guy Doleman, Molly Peters and Martine Beswick.
The London 'Thunderball' Premiere at the Pavillion Theatre was attended by the film's cast members Claudine Auger, Adolfo Celi, and Luciana Paluzzi, and producer Kevin McLory, as well as 'Goldfinger' (1964) cast members Tania Mallet and Honor Blackman.