International Box Office: Hobbit Stands Tall

December 17, 2014

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies poster

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies started its international run earning first place with $122.2 million on 15,395 screens in 37 markets. Not only did it earn the best opening of The Hobbit Trilogy, but it was often times the biggest opening in Peter Jackson's career, or even occasionally in Warner Bros' history. Its biggest opening came in Germany where it pulled in $20.5 million on 1,442 screens. Next up was the U.K. and France, which had nearly identical openings of $15.2 million on 1,489 screens and $15.1 million on 914 screens respectively. It earned $13.56 million on 2,390 screens in Russia. Brazil and Mexico were neck-and-neck with $6.8 million on 1,037 screens and $6.3 million on 2,775 screens respectively. It earned $2.4 million on 640 screens in Japan, which seems low compared to the other markets, but it is nearly double the debut The Desolation of Smaug earned.

Exodus: Gods and Kings rose to second place with $18.8 million in 27 markets over the weekend for a total of $50.2 million after two. Its biggest debut came from Taiwan where it earned $1.6 million on 155 screens. Its biggest holdover was South Korea where it pulled in $3.1 million on 665 screens over the weekend for a total of $10.6 million after two.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 was pushed into third place with $16.0 million in 86 markets over the weekend for totals of $334.5 million internationally and $611.4 million worldwide after four weeks of release. With the holidays nearly upon us, and openings in Japan and China still ahead, the film should be able to get to $700 million worldwide, which is more than the original managed.

Penguins of Madagascar slipped a spot to fourth with $14.7 million in 51 markets over the weekend for a total of $116.8 million after a month of release. The film had no major market openings this past weekend, but it does debut in France this weekend, while it hits Australia in January. It will top its production budget internationally, but unless the holidays really boost its numbers, it won't break even any time soon.

Interstellar fell to fifth place with $11.4 million in 62 markets for totals of $455.0 million internationally and $621.8 million worldwide. It failed to live up to expectations domestically, but it is making up for that on the international scene. Leading the way was China with $121.99 million, including $3.08 million this past week.

Paddington remained in sixth place, again, this time earning $11 million in 23 markets over the weekend for a total of $45 million after three weeks of release. This includes $4.6 million in the U.K. for a three-week total of $22.5 million, which makes it the biggest U.K. hit in StudioCanal's history, just overtaking the lifetime run of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Horrible Bosses 2 climbed a spot to seventh with $5.9 million in 50 markets for a three-week total of $32.3 million. It was buoyed by a first place, $2.2 million opening on 355 screens in Australia.

My Love, Don't Cross That River opened in South Korea with $4.7 million over the weekend for a total opening of $6.5 million.

Big Hero 6 rose a spot to ninth with $3.9 million in 32 markets for a still early total of $68.2 million. The film opened in first place in Argentina with $1.3 million, while it has plenty of major market openings during the Christmas holiday rush.

Gone Girl returned to the top ten in tenth place with $2.7 million in 26 markets over the weekend for a total of $180.5 million internationally and $344.9 million. This includes a second place, $1.9 million opening on 321 screesn in Japan. Since the film was last in the top ten, it became the biggest hit in David Fincher's career, surpassing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Video Review, Interstellar, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Penguins of Madagascar, Big Hero 6, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Paddington, Horrible Bosses 2, Gone Girl, The Hobbit, David Fincher, Peter Jackson