International Top Five - No Substitute for Number One
October 7, 2009
There was a tight race atop the international box office with barely $2 million separating first place and sixth place. Surrogates climbed into first place with $11.83 million on 2763 screens in 23 markets for a total of $28.84 million. The film debuted in first place in Mexico, but with only $872,000 on 350 screens. It opened in third place in South Korea with $2.17 million on 267 screens over the weekend and $2.60 million in total. Surprisingly, the film remained in first place in Russia despite falling 58% to $2.24 million on 603 screens over the weekend, while it now has $8.97 million in that market.
Up returned to second place with $11.68 million on 2873 screens in 23 markets for a total of $231.55 million internationally and $523.99 worldwide. The film opened in Denmark over the weekend scoring a close first place with $930,000 on 106 screens over the weekend and $1.07 million in total. Meanwhile in neighboring Germany, the film grew by 14%, but still slipped to second place with $4.52 million on 824 screens over the weekend for a total of $16.03 million after three. After a slower than expected start in that market, it has shown incredible legs and it is poised to become Pixar's third biggest hit there after Finding Nemo and Ratatouille. It is also doing well in Australia where it remained in first place during its fifth week of release. Over the weekend it added $2.66 million on 410 screens for a total of $18.32 million after a month of release.
The Ugly Truth returned to the top five with $10.58 million on 2478 screens in 56 markets for a total of $69.45 million. Much of that came from the film's surprise first place debut in Germany where it made $4.95 million on 501 screens.
The Message opened in first place in China and fourth place internationally with $10.12 million on 850 screens. This is an excellent start for the World War II spy thriller and it bodes well for its chances outside its native market.
The Founding Of A Republic was just behind in second place in China and fifth place internationally with $9.42 million on 970 screens over the weekend for a total of $48.87 million. Its chances internationally are less secure.
Filed under: International Box Office, Up, The Ugly Truth, Surrogates