International Box Office: Expendables Remain Essential
September 1, 2010
The Expendables held on to top spot on the international chart with $24.70 million on 4823 screens in 38 markets for a total of $101.46 million after just three weeks of release. It had a few openings over the weekend, most notably in Germany where it placed third with $2.94 million on 531 screens. Meanwhile, it fell from first to fourth in the U.K., but still added $2.02 million on 453 screens over the weekend for a total of $10.52 million after two. With openings in Italy and Japan ahead, the film will have no trouble getting to $250 million worldwide, which is more than enough to ensure a profit.
The Last Airbender climbed another spot to second with $20.27 million on 4995 screens in 45 markets for a total of $122.20 million internationally and $252.79 million worldwide. It opened in first place in Mexico with an impressive $3.75 million on 845 screens, while it also performed well in China with $2.6 million on 1500 screens. Getting to the $250 million mark worldwide is a good step toward profitability, while at this pace, $300 million worldwide is practically a given. That said, the film cost $280 million to make, distribute, and market, so it will need a long run on the home market to break even.
Inception fell another spot to third with $17.01 million on 5686 screens in 61 markets for a total of $389.70 million internationally and $660.22 million worldwide. No major market openings hurt, but it will still have little trouble getting to $400 million internationally during the upcoming weekend, while $700 million worldwide will follow shortly after that.
Salt remained in fourth place with $15.51 million on 4278 screens in 61 markets for a total of $130.85 million internationally and $244.11 million worldwide. It has now made more internationally than domestically, with a few more significant markets left to go. A first place opening in France contributed $3.94 million on 542 to its weekend haul, while it remained in first place in Australia with $2.24 million on 365 screens over the weekend for a total of $7.03 million after two.
Toy Story 3 has reached $1 billion worldwide over the weekend making it just the seventh film to get there, but the second film this year. 2010 is the first year to have two $1 billion movies open and we might get a third when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows opens this fall. Over the weekend it made $13.11 million on 4654 screens in 42 markets for a total of $606.44 million internationally and $1.01 billion worldwide. It ended its run with debuts in the four Scandinavian markets earning a combined $4.23 million on 591 screens. Even with new markets to open in, by this time next week, it could overtake Alice in Wonderland and climb into fifth place on the all time chart.
The Karate Kid had a good week with $12.98 million on 3689 screens in 46 markets for a total of $142.71 million internationally and $318.62 million worldwide. It opened in first place in Spain and Brazil with $3.68 million on 485 screens in the former and $2.22 million on 396 screens in the latter.
It was a milestone weekend for Shrek Forever After as it earned $11.65 million on 3171 screens in 39 markets for a total of $470.62 million internationally and $708.68 million worldwide. It became just the 41st film to reach that milestone. It debuted in first place in Italy with $4.47 million on 793 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $7.06 million. With Japan still ahead, it will have no trouble becoming the highest grossing film in the franchise internationally, while it should get to $500 million overseas.
Step Up 3D fell to eighth despite growing 4% at the box office to $11.59 million on 2625 screens in 32 markets for a total of $72.53 million internationally. It topped the chart in Germany with $3.66 million on 370 screens, which is surprisingly strong. It is on pace to become the first film in the franchise to reach $100 million internationally, which makes up for its relatively weak domestic run.
Piranha 3D made its debut on this list in 9th place with $9.35 million on 1661 screens in 9 markets for a very early total of $13.84 million. It opened in first place in Russia with $3.83 million on 591 screens, in third place in South Korea with $2.40 million on 339 screens, and fifth place in Australia with $825,000 on 141. It also held on relatively well in the U.K. down 40% to $1.37 million on 335 screens over the weekend for a total of $5.07 million after two.
Grown Ups rounded out the top ten with $7.92 million on 2345 screens in 46 markets for a total of $69.98 million internationally and $229.35 million worldwide. It debuted in first place in the U.K. with $310 million on 401 screens, while it might have enough left in the tank to become Adam Sandler's first $250 million hit in his career.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice fell out of the top ten with $6.21 million on 3170 screens in 47 screens over the weekend for a total of $103.39 million. Like I said last week, hitting the century mark on the international chart might be enough to save someone's job, but it will likely not be enough to show a profit any time soon. Perhaps if it is a big hit in Germany and Australia it will come closer, but it was an expensive movie to make.
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore added 4.96 million on 3733 screens in 49 markets for a total of $43.93 million internationally. Normally I wouldn't even mention the film except...
Right behind it was the special edition re-release of Avatar with $4.48 million on 1232 screens in 47 markets. In total, this film has now made $2.00 BILLION internationally and $2.76 billion worldwide, which is nearly $1 billion ahead of the second best film, Titanic.
Filed under: International Box Office, Inception, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, The Last Airbender, Salt, The Expendables, Shrek Forever After, The Karate Kid, Grown Ups, Piranha 3D, Toy Story 3, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, Avatar, Step Up 3D