International Box Office: Hobbit Travels Around the World

December 20, 2012

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey entered the international chart in first place with $138.0 million on 18,165 screens in 56 markets. Leading the way was the U.K. with $18.80 million on 598 screens, while it also cracked $10 million in Germany with $15.13 million on 877 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $17.19 million. It also came very close in France with $9.77 million on 958 screens. The film had similar strong openings in Spain with $7.98 million on 1,052 screens and in South Korea with $7.29 million on 1,028 screes over the weekend, although it had a total opening of $8.50 million.

Next up was Italy with $5.63 on 756 screens, which was enough for an easy first place finish, although it had competition from a local hit. Mexico produced $5.37 million on 2,473 screens for The Hobbit, while in Brazil the film earned $4.57 million on 978. It was also incredibly strong in Scandinavia with Sweden delivering an opening of $3.89 million on 228 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $6.18 million. In Denmark, the film made $2.77 million on 206 screens over the weekend for a total of $3.87 million and in Norway it managed $2.35 million on 180 screens over the weekend and $4.05 million in total. Finland saw the film earn first place with $1.21 million on 194 screens and $1.82 million in total.

On the other hand, The Hobbit struggled in Japan earning second place with $2.63 million on 878 screens over the weekend for a total of $3.48 million. Its per screen average was well below the $5,000 that usually separates the hits from the misses. However, this is not surprising, as the Japanese market tends to punish movies with a cliffhanger ending.

The film has yet to open in Russia, Australia, China, and other markets, so it has a lot of box office potential left. It will need to make about $500 million worldwide to be considered a financial success, which shouldn't be a challenge, even if the film had no other markets left to open in.

Lost In Thailand landed in second place with $48.41 million, all of which was earned in China.

Rise Of The Guardians fell to third place, but hit $100 million early on the weekend, so the studio has reason to celebrate. Over the weekend, the film managed $20.99 million on 8,355 screens in 59 markets for a total of $120.39 million. The film only managed second place in Australia with $2.65 million on 520 screens over the weekend for a total of $3.72 million. Guardians started slow, but its legs have been strong enough to justify a sequel, assuming it does well on the home market.

One Piece Film Z landed in first place in Japan and fourth place internationally with $16.38 million on 300 screens.

Skyfall remained in fifth place with $12.31 million on 4,439 screens in 84 markets for a total of $678.20 million internationally and $950.12 million worldwide. The film has climbed into the top 20 on the all-time chart and pie-in-the-sky it could reach the top ten.

Life of Pi fell to sixth place with $11.49 million on 5,049 screens in 13 markets for an early total of $129.55 million. Of that, $84.3 million was earned in China, including $6.9 million on 3,600 screens this past weekend. It has a number of major market openings this weekend, including the U.K., France, Italy, Mexico, etc., with a number of Box Day debuts as well.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 reached $500 million internationally this past weekend with $11.00 million on 5,377 screens in 65 markets for totals of $501.92 million internationally and $778.75 million worldwide.

Back To 1942 fell from second to eighth with $10.50 million in 5 markets for a total of $55.08 million. Like most Chinese films, no other details were given.

Wreck-It Ralph was in ninth place with $4.90 million on 2,396 screens in 21 markets for an international total in $57.92 million. The film has yet to open in most major markets, but does have some significant openings this weekend and on Christmas Day / Boxing Day, while it doesn't end its run till March when it debuts in Japan.

Tutto Tutto Niente Niente opened in second place in Italy and tenth place internationally with $3.11 million on 596 screens.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Life of Pi, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Rise of the Guardians, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2, Skyfall, Wreck-It Ralph