International Box Office: Independence Day gets Tricked out of Top Spot in China

June 30, 2016

Independence Day: Resurgence

Independence Day: Resurgence started its international run in first place with $102.1 million in 57 markets. That's the good news. That bad news is that its biggest market was China, where it only managed second place with $36.09 million, including previews. In most of the rest of the world, the film did no better than it did here, relative to the size of the market. South Korea helped it out with a first place, $5.45 million opening on 926 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $7.49 million. It opened in second place in the U.K. with $6.91 million in 610 theaters, which is no better than its opening here. The film cost a lot to make, so it needs to do better than this to be seen as a financial hit.

Now You See Me 2 jumped into second place with $50.9 million in 55 markets for totals of $107.7 million internationally and $159.7 million worldwide. Unfortunately, almost all of this came from its first place finish in China, where it earned $43.31 million, including previews. This is a record opening for Lionsgate, but they only get 25% of the box office in China, compared to close to 50% in most other markets. The film is still a ways away from breaking even. In fact, it might need $300 million worldwide to break even early in its home market run.

Finding Dory fell to third place with $37.0 million in 37 markets for totals of $110.3 million internationally and $396.6 million worldwide. The film opened in first place in Spain with $3.22 million on 920 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $4.89 million, and in France with $4.5 million. It was pushed into fourth place in China with $6.13 million over the weekend for a total of $29.97 million after 11 days of release. This isn't great compared to some animated films that have opened there this year; however, it is close to the record for Pixar in that market, which is currently held by Monsters University at $32.5 million.

The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist was next with $21.0 million over the weekend for totals of $156.0 million internationally and $242.9 million worldwide. The film had no major market openings this past weekend, but it debuts in France this weekend, so it could stay in the top five another week.

Me Before You remained in the top five with $17.5 million over the weekend for totals of $60.1 million internationally and $111.3 million worldwide. The film opened in first place in Germany with $3.2 million on 509 screens, while it had to settle for second place in Mexico with $3.13 million. The film only cost $20 million to make, so unless it cost more than double that to advertise, it has broken even.

The Secret Life of Pets missed the top five during its opening, but since it has debuted here, it's still worth looking at. The film earned $13.91 million in 700 theaters in two markets. It earned first place in the U.K. with $13.06 million in 592 theaters, including previews, while it also topped the chart in Norway with $853,000 in 108 theaters. This bodes well for its opening here.

Filed under: International Box Office, Finding Dory, The Secret Life of Pets, Independence Day: Resurgence, The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist, Me Before You, Now You See Me 2