King still on Top While Nemo Breaks another Record

January 6, 2004

As it has since it was first released, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King had a commanding win at the international box office. This weekend's numbers were $58.7 million from 8,826 screens in 45 territories, more than double Finding Nemo in second place. Highlights include $2.3 million opening in Poland and just shy of $1 million opening in Argentina, as well as $13.7 million in the U.K. and $10 million in Germany. Totals for Return of the King now sit at $390.4 million outside the US (3rd for the year, 13th all-time) and $680.8 million worldwide (3rd for the year, and 15th all-time). By next week it should be the highest grossing film for the year.

Finding Nemo held strong at second place with $22.3 million for the weekend. The box office story is the same as it has been for the past few weeks. Number one in Japan where Return of the King hasn't opened yet and strong showings in European markets. This week there was a couple of pieces of bigger news to talk about. Firstly, Finding Nemo's international total hit $458 million, topping The Matrix Reloaded for the year, besting The Lion King for all-time animated movie and putting it in the top 10 all-time. Worldwide the film has amassed $797 million, putting it in a virtual tie with Star Wars for tenth place all-time.

Buoyed by several second place opening, Master and Commander: Far Side of the World shot back into the top five with $7.5 million. Its international total should surpass its domestic box office before too long, and worldwide it is just shy of $150 million.

The Shogatsu holiday (a.k.a. Japanese New Year) helped The Last Samurai's box office in Japan. $7.2 million was the best weekend performance for the film, which is amazing since it was its fifth weekend of release there.

Love Actually continues to work its way to $200 million worldwide. This week it added another $6.2 million internationally to bring its total to $127.7 million and $185.1 million worldwide.


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Source: Variety

Filed under: International Box Office, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Finding Nemo, The Matrix Reloaded, The Last Samurai, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Love Actually