International Box Office: Voyage Sails to the Top
December 15, 2010
Like the previous films in the franchise, The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader will clearly be a bigger hit internationally than it will domestically. This weekend it climbed into top spot with $66.18 million on 10,0159 screens in 58 markets for a total of $80.22 million. It opened in first place in Russia with $7.85 million on 1284 screens over the weekend for a total of $10.87 million. Its debut in France was a little stronger than its opening here at $5.15 million on 739 screens, likewise in South Korea with $3.89 million on 562 screens over the weekend and $5.28 million in total. In Mexico it made $3.36 million on 522 screens over the weekend and $7.01 million including previews. On the other hand, it only made $3.87 million on 536 screens in the U.K. By comparison, the first film made more than $15 million in its opening and the second more than $8 million. Its going to need strong holds going forward if it is to have any shot at breaking even. The fact that it fell just 23% during its second weekend in Spain is a hopeful sign. However, it still only managed $2.21 million on 598 screens, while this strong hold was in part due to the total lack of wide releases in that market this past weekend.
Another week, another milestone for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. This time it became just the 24th film to reach $500 million internationally, while it is currently 21st on that chart. It earned $31.74 million on 11,734 screens in 62 markets for a total of $527.43 million internationally and $785.10 million worldwide. By early in the weekend it will become just the 27th film to reach $800 million worldwide, while $900 million is the low end of expectations.
Tangled grew by 10% to $22.30 million on 4647 screens in 27 markets for a total of $78.19 million so far. In Germany, it debuted in top spot with $6.70 million on 598 screens, which was the biggest opening for an animated film in that market all year. In France it was down just 25%, to $4.42 million, on 691 screens over the weekend for a total of $10.91 million after two, while in Russia it has $20.16 million after three weeks of release, including $2.49 million on 604 screens this past weekend. I think overall the film will make about as much as Despicable Me made internationally, maybe a bit more, which should be enough to please the studio.
On the other hand, while Megamind isn't exactly struggling, it not as strong either, having earned less money overall despite playing in more markets and for longer. This weekend it added $10.89 million on 3820 screens in 32 markets for a total of $67.63 million. In Australia it opened in first place with $2.44 million on 425 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $3.44 million. Meanwhile it was down 57% during its second weekend in the U.K., adding $1.90 million on 470 screens for a total of $7.15 million after two. This suggests it will finish with less money internationally than it made domestically, and it wasn't a monster hit here.
The Tourist opened in fifth place with $7.39 million on 1030 screens in 6 markets. Of this total, $3.02 million was earned during its second place opening in South Korea, while another $2.11 million was earned on 413 screens in the U.K., which was enough for third place. Its too soon to say where it will finish, but this is not a great start given some of the expectations.
Just Call Me Nobody remained potent, earning $7.02 million on 380 screens in its native China for a total of $20.87 million after two.
Fellow Chinese film, Sacrifice, was right behind with $6.32 million on 355 screens over the weekend and $19.88 million, also after two.
No Problem opened in eighth place with $5.34 million on 823 screens in 16 markets, which is not bad compared to a lot of other Indian films that have opened this year, but the overall market has been a bit weak.
Space Battleship Yamato held on well, down just 26% to $4.70 million on 440 screens over the weekend, for a total of $20.92 million after two. It maintained first place in Japan, while it slipped to ninth place internationally.
Due Date rounded out the top ten with $4.33 million on 2039 screens in 47 markets for a total $88.66 million. It will likely just cross $100 million domestically and with openings in Japan and Italy ahead, it will likely do the same internationally. It's not a monster hit, but it is a profitable movie.
Looking further down the list... a little further... almost there... There you go. We find Tucker and Dale vs. Evil in 31st place with $1.39 million on 270 screens, all of which came from its third place debut in Russia. I mention this for a couple of releases. Firstly, it's Canadian and stars Alan Tudyk from Firefly and Tyler Labine from Dead Last, so that's three reasons right there that I'm cheering for the movie. Secondly, it has been earning a lot of strong buzz and even some very good reviews. Unfortunately, it's Geek Buzz, and that's been the death of a number of films this year. This might be the last time I get a chance to talk about the movie till it gets dumped direct-to-DVD here. Although it is opening in a few major markets internationally, and strong box office numbers in Germany in February, for instance, could help the movie find a theatrical release here.
Filed under: International Box Office, Tangled, Due Date, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Tourist, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, Megamind