International Box Office: Two plus Two can't top Four

June 2, 2011

The fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, On Stranger Tides, held off a pair of sequels on the international chart with $122.8 million on 18,000 screens in 65 markets for a total of $470.8 million internationally and $623.7 million worldwide. It tied the record for fastest film to reach $600 million worldwide, which was previously set by At World's End at 12 days. Its biggest single market of the weekend was Japan, where it was down just 8% from its opening weekend with $13.75 million on 800 screens over the weekend for a total of $44.57 million after two. It also cracked $10 million in Germany ($11.16 million on 820 screens for a total of $35.26 million) and in Russia ($10.62 million on 1716 screens over a total of 49.87 million). At this pace, it is likely that the film has already topped the final figure for Curse of the Black Pearl, while $600 million internationally and $900 million worldwide is not out of the question.

The Hangover 2 was the next best international release with $60.2 million on 5,190 screens in 40 markets. This includes stunning openings in the U.K. ($17.13 million on 469 screens) and in Australia ($12.06 million on 424). By comparison, the original made $36 million and $18 million in total in those two markets. It had to settle for second place in France ($5.61 million on 443); Mexico ($3.24 million on 919); Italy ($3.13 million on 570 screens over the weekend and $4.56 million in total); and in Brazil ($2.95 million on 329). However, while it wasn't able to reach first place in any of those four markets, it did more than double the original's debuts. In fact, with openings in Germany and Russia this weekend and Spain at the end of the month, it could match the film's final total before it opens in Japan next month.

Kung Fu Panda 2 was close behind with $57 million on 8,023 screens in just 11 markets. This includes a record-breaking opening day of $18.5 million on 5,540 screens, which means On Stranger Tides' record lasted just one week. It also scored first place in Russia with $15.05 million on 1,337 screens, or just over 80% more than the original's debut. It also topped the chart in South Korea with $12.80 million on 1,043 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $13.92 million, or just under 80% more than the original opened with. Kung Fu Panda earned nearly twice as much internationally as it did domestically, so even though it was a disappointment here, it could see substantial growth worldwide given its performance so far.

Fast Five was well back with $13.3 million on 7,700 screens in 61 territories for a total of $346 million. By the weekend it will be at $350 million internationally, and by the time it finishes in Japan in October, it should have $600 million worldwide.

Thor was further down the list, but it did crack $250 million internationally. It likely won't make it all the way to $500 million worldwide, but it has already come close enough to be considered a success.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Thor, The Hangover Part II, Kung Fu Panda 2, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Fast Five