I, Number One

August 3, 2004

I, Robot first major expansion into the international markets proved very profitable for 20th Century Fox. Big openings Europe, $5 million in France and $4.7 million in Spain; Asia, $2.5 million in South Korea, $1.8 million in Taiwan; and in $1.9 million in Mexico help it earn $20.5 million over the weekend. Still early in its run, the Sci-Fi action film has earned $29.6 million in just 17 markets so far.

Spider-man 2 continues to wrap-up its international run has it dropped to second place with $17.5 million on 7,915 screens in more than 60 markets. The film has earned $302 so far, and should come very close to matching the original at the international box office.

Disney is breathing a sigh of relief as King Arthur's weekend take more than doubled to $11.7 million in 16 territories. During its international run so far, film has pulled in $32.2 million and should land above $100 million internationally before it is done. That's not enough for the film to be a success, but enough that nobody will lose their job over it.

Slipping another spot is Shrek 2 with $10.5 million. With just one more major opening left, (Italy) the film has earned $360 million internationally and nearly $800 million worldwide. And while is has taken top place for an animated film domestically, it will have a harder time doing so worldwide and Finding Nemo will retain top spot internationally.

In its second weekend of release in Germany, Starship Surprise - Period 1 plunged more 50% to $7.3 million. However, the parody has already made nearly $30 million in that one territory alone, more than enough for a profitable run. Adding in its box office from Austria and Switzerland and it had an estimated $10 million weekend, good enough for fifth place on the charts.

Other highlights on the international scene include:

  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban dropped out of the top five this past weekend, but it still earned $8.7 million.
  • Garfield earned $2.2 million for its U.K. debut.
  • A 44% drop at the English box office means Thunderbirds won't be a sleeper hit there. And it has now failed to wow them in Holland ($70 thousand) and Israel ($50 thousand.) Its total international take is just $5.5 million after two weeks of release. It will earn much more internationally than it did domestically, but that won't matter much.
  • Home on the Range saw its fortunes drop in Mexico taking in just $650 thousand for its second weekend of release. In France the film made $1.6 million, which is nothing spectacular.
  • Fahrenheit 9/11 earned $1.17 million in Australia for a total of $3.7 million, including the two weeks of previews.
  • The Chronicles of Riddick's Australian opening was a mediocre $1.1 million. So far the film has only managed $6.1 million in 16 international markets.

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Source: Variety

Filed under: International Box Office, Shrek 2, Spider-Man 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I, Robot, Fahrenheit 9/11, Garfield: The Movie, The Chronicles of Riddick, King Arthur, Home on the Range, Thunderbirds