Last Weekend on Top for King?

January 13, 2004

For the first time since it was released, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King had some stiff competition for top spot on the charts. It did still take first place for the fourth weekend in a row with $35.3 million in 51 markets. Including wins in head-to-head competition with second place The Last Samurai. For instance, Return of the King's fourth weekend easily won in the U.K. $6.7 million to Samurai's $4.9 million. It was a closer contest in Germany, but King remained number one $5.5 million to $4.9 million. But with only a couple of mid-level openings this week in Indonesia and the Czech Republic it could drop out of first place next weekend. Its international total $455 million, second for the year surpassing The Matrix Reloaded by less than $1 million and putting it in a virtual tie with The Lion King for 10th all-time. Worldwide it hit $767, which is also second for the year but 13th all-time.

After playing in Japan since its domestic opening five weekends ago, The Last Samurai finally opened in nine more international markets. Number one openings in Spain, (where it easily topped Return of the King's fourth weekend) and Italy push the flick to $32.3 million for the weekend and helped its international total pass $100 million. Granted, most of that comes from Japan where the setting would be the biggest draw.

Dropping to a distant third was Finding Nemo $10.8 million, including half that from its sixth week in Japan. With only one more opening left, (Turkey) Finding Nemo is wrapping up its international run with very impressive totals. $481.6 million internationally is ninth overall and its $821.3 million worldwide is eighth overall. And it could still climb a spot or two before its run is over.

Love Actually continues place on the top five with $4.7 million, and it also broke $200 million worldwide sometime during the midweek. With the lion's share of its openings behind it, Love Actually will be winding down its international run with few milestones left in reach.

Lost in Translation found its way into the top five thanks to excellent openings in limited release in the U.K. (where it set a limited release record), France and Germany. The total haul for the weekend was $4.0 million, which matched its production budget. Multiple awards and nominations for its stars Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray and director Sofia Coppola should helps its long term success.


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Source: Variety

Filed under: International Box Office, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Finding Nemo, The Matrix Reloaded, The Last Samurai, Love Actually, Lost in Translation