International Top of the Chart - Harry Holds On

July 29, 2009

Unlike its domestic run, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was able to remain on the top of the chart internationally. It did so with $84.60 million on 12,877 screens in 62 markets for a total of $427.88 million after just two weeks of release. The film became just the 45th film to crack $600 million worldwide and with a total of $649.18 million as of Sunday, it is on 39th place on that chart and could climb into the top ten before it is done.

The film cracked $10 million in just one market, and that was France where it pulled in an estimated $10.75 million over the weekend for a total of $34.80 million after two. The film was crushed during its second weekend of release in the U.K. down a stunning 74% to $8.51 million on 586 screens over the weekend; however, its total of $54.38 million is the best for the year in that market. On the other hand, the film held up a little better in Germany with $9.05 million on 903 screens over the weekend for a total of $40.38 million. However, in that market it is well behind Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs, which has made $61.59 million so far. One of the film's better holds came in Japan where it was down just 37% to $6.57 million on 845 screens over the weekend for a total of $37.00 million. Australia added $5.31 million on 510 screens over the weekend for a two-week total of $24.34 million; it's not quite the biggest hit of the year, but it won't take too long to surpass Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen, which has $31.78 million so far.

Other major markets include Brazil, and yes, I'm declaring Brazil a major market. The country has a population of close to 200 million and a GDP of $2 trillion, and it has brought in a lot of box office dollars this year. Moving on... In Brazil The Half-Blood Prince made $2.55 million on 715 screens over the weekend for a total of $14.14 million, which is impressive, but well back of Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs and its $33.85 million running tally. Likewise, it won't catch Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs in Russia, but it did remain in first place with $2.95 million on 895 screens over the weekend giving it a total of $15.13 million so far. It was a similar story in Mexico where the film remained in first place with $2.64 million on 1009 screens over the weekend, but won't catch Ice Age there. On the other hand, in Italy it added $2.26 million on 870 screens for a total of $19.96 million, which is closing in on Angels and Demons's score of $26.48 million.

Other million dollar markets include South Korea at $2.45 million on 671 screens over the weekend and $13.87 million after two, but it was pushed into second place by a local hit. In the Netherlands The Half-Blood Prince managed first with $2.03 million on 219 screens over the weekend and $8.58 million after two. In Spain it came in second with $1.99 million on 589 screens over the weekend for a two-week total of $14.82 million. Belgium produced a first place result with $1.31 million on 143 screens lifting its total to $5.27 million. It also topped the chart in Denmark with $1.12 million on 105 screens for a total of $6.45 million. Finally in Sweden it earned first place while adding $1.02 million on 153 screens for a total of $6.30 million.

In a lot of markets the first is the biggest hit of the year so far, or is on pace to reach that level in the next few weeks. In the markets where it will come up short, sometimes Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs is leading the way, sometimes its Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen, and sometimes it's Angels and Demons. Other times its local hits like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo that is keeping it at bay. Because there's no one film dominating all markets, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is doing so well in so many, it has a good chance at earning top spot on the international chart, while it should be the biggest hit at the worldwide box office. However, there's a chance there will be different films topping the domestic box office (Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen); international box office (Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs); and worldwide box office (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince).

Speaking of Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs, the film finished in second place with over $40 million, but we will get to that film, and the rest of the multi-million dollar movies, over the weekend.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince