International Top Five - Legend even Bigger Abroad

January 16, 2008

I Am Legend is getting ready to wrap up its international run, but it isn't slowing down. This weekend it grew by 32% to $40.18 million on 4951 screens in 44 markets for a total of $221.52 million topping $200 million internationally, just as it did domestically. Openings this week including a couple major markets led by Germany where it pulled in $10.89 million on 713 screens and easily taking first place, which is not a real shock as Will Smith is a huge draw in that market. On the other hand, it performed surprisingly strong in Italy where it also captured first place with a very impressive opening weekend of $8.52 million on 486 screens. Meanwhile in Australia the film fell 63%, but that was still enough to retain first place with $3.19 million on 338 screens over the weekend and $14.79 million in total.

National Treasure: The Book of Secrets remained in second place with $14.91 million on 4553 screens in 38 markets for a total of $127.04 million. The film opened in a handful of smaller markets earning the most in the Philippines where it placed first with $1.15 million on 90 screens over the weekend. However, its best market was Japan where it added $1.29 million on 462 screens for a total of $18.78 million.

Alien vs. Predator: Requiem climbed into third place with $13.61 million on 4340 screens in 44 markets for a total of $53.20 million internationally, which is already ahead of its domestic pace. The film was able to debut in first place in both Russia with $3.83 million on 495 screens and in Spain with $2.41 million on 348 screens, and it even held up relatively well in Mexico down 38% to $1.04 million on 460 screens over the weekend and $3.51 million in total.

Alvin And The Chipmunks was down 36% this week, but that was strong enough to remain in fourth place with $10.11 million on 3656 screens in 44 markets while lifting its total to $80.89 million after a month of release. The film had no major openings this week but did add $2.37 million on 262 screens during its second weekend in Australia for a total of $8.30 million.

Finally we get to His Dark Material: The Golden Compass, which landed in fifth place with $8.63 million on 5633 screens in 43 markets. This is a 57% drop-off from last weekend, but it is still a good showing and was enough to raise its total to $245.73 million on the international scene. Worldwide the film has over $300 million, which is the minimum most analysts would expect given the film's production budget. With one major market left to open in (Japan at the beginning of March), the film could reach $300 million internationally, which would be a stunning result considering how little it made domestically.


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Filed under: International Box Office, I am Legend, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Golden Compass, Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem