International Box Office: Ice Drifts to the Top

July 5, 2012

Ice Age: Continental Drift started its international run a little earlier than its domestic run, and if this is any indication, its box office chances here are fantastic. The film pulled in $80.31 million on 9,653 screens in 35 markets. This includes $12.23 million on 2,617 screens over the weekend in Mexico for a total opening there of $13.87 million, which was the third biggest opening of all time in that market. It also made $11.31 million on 841 screens in France, which was the biggest opening of the year. The film dominated Brazil with $6.56 million on 1,004. Its opening in Australia was not quite as strong with $5.02 million on 490 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $6.43 million, but that's still equivalent to $60 million here, given the relative size of the two markets. It broke the record for biggest opening in Argentina at $4.1 million on 284 screens, and did the same in a number of smaller Latin American markets ($3.2 million on 296 in Colombia, $3.1 million on 252 in Peru, etc.). I think its chances of reaching $1 billion worldwide are better than I previously thought.

The Amazing Spider-Man's opening was equally impressive, with $51.14 million on 6,366 screens in 13 markets. These markets were led by South Korea, where the movie made $11.16 million on 1,114 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $13.27 million, while Japan was right behind with $11.34 million on 1,090. The film was the biggest Hollywood debut in India with $6 million on 1,236. In Germany, the film earned $4.11 million on 646 over the weekend for a total opening of $4.45 million. This is good, but not great. However, Euro 2012 was a major source of competition. This film is well ahead of Spider-Man 3's pace, so Sony should be more than happy so far.

Up next was Painted Skin: The Resurrection. the film debuted in first place in China and third place overall with $47.70 million on 1,058 screens. Even a few years ago an opening like this would have been unthinkable.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted was pushed into fourth place with $15.68 million on 7,622 screens in 43 markets for totals of $244.01 million internationally and $424.05 million worldwide. It had no major opening this past week, nor does it have any major opening this coming week, or the week after that, or the week after than. However, it is yet to debut in Spain, Japan, Italy, Australia, Germany, the U.K., etc. so it will continue to pad its bottom line.

Snow White And The Huntsman was right behind with $14.3 million on 5,891 screens in 60 markets lifting its totals to $188.86 million internationally and $334.54 million worldwide. The film is mostly coasting on holdovers, but even if it didn't earn another dollar at the box office, it would still reach profitability during its initial push onto the home market.

Brave fell to sixth place with $7.7 million on 2,229 screens in 16 markets for a two-week total of $29.09 million. It had no major market openings this weekend, but it did hold on really well in Russia down just 27% to $3.91 million on 950 screens over the weekend for a total of $11.87 million.

Men in Black 3 fell to seventh place with $6.02 million on 5,052 screens in 80 markets for totals of $430.24 million internationally and $599.96 million worldwide. $600 million is a major milestone and this film will become the first film in the franchise to get there and the 66th overall.

Prometheus was close behind with $5.79 million on 4,389 screens in 59 markets for totals of $166.38 million internationally and $284.64 million worldwide. It's going to slip out of the top ten before long, but still has openings in Spain, Germany, Japan, Italy, and a few other markets.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter fell nearly 40% to $5.19 million on 2,733 screens in 21 markets for a two-week total of $17.79 million. It only fell 37% in Russia to $2.66 million on 1,478 screens over the weekend $8.80 million. This is a great run so far, but I'm not sure how well it will play outside of Timur Bekmambetov's home market.

The Hunger Games rounded out the top ten with $4.79 million on 185 screens in 17 markets for a total of 273.86 million internationally and $677.63 million worldwide. It might get into the top 50 all time, which is an amazing run. I don't think there were many people at Lionsgate who were expecting this when they greenlit this movie.

If you look way down the list, you'll find The Avengers in 24th place with $1.3 million on 1,227 screens in 50 markets for totals of $841.18 million internationally and $1.448 billion worldwide. Had it made half of that, it would have been a major hit.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, The Avengers, Brave, The Amazing Spider-Man, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Men in Black 3, The Hunger Games, Snow White and the Huntsman, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Prometheus