International Box Office: Cars Cuts Off Panda to Take Checkered Flag

June 29, 2011

In a battle of digitally animated sequels, Cars 2 came out on top with $39.23 million on 4,873 screens in 25 markets for a total opening of $43.98 million. Its best market was Russia where it opened in first place with $9.42 million on 950 screens. By comparison, the original Cars made $4 million in that market, in total. The film was also very strong in Mexico with $8.08 million on 1,981 screens and in Brazil with $5.29 million on 747 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $7.04 million. The film had to deal with direct competition in Australia, but still came out on top with $5.13 million. The final major market it debuted in was Italy, where it earned $3.86 million on 834 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $5.71 million. Overall, the film more than doubled the debuts of Cars in the markets it opened in, while it was on par with Toys 3's openings. Granted, it likely won't have the same legs, but this is still a great start.

Kung Fu Panda 2 slipped to second place with $36.71 million on 10,652 screens in 56 markets for a total of $340.75 million internationally and $493.82 million worldwide. The film's only major market opening came in Australia, where it had to settle for second place with $4.79 million on 448 screens, including previews. With Italy and Japan still ahead, the film should have no trouble getting to $600 million worldwide, while it might even top the original's total.

The Hangover 2 remained in third place with $16.19 million on 4,956 screens in 56 markets for a total of $281.70 million internationally and $525.36 million worldwide. It became the first R-rated comedy to reach $500 million worldwide and should hit $300 million internationally shortly, which should be the film's last major international milestone. The film opened in first place in Spain this weekend with $2.56 million on 356 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $2.90 million.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides became the highest grossing non-James Cameron directed film on the international chart with $757.98 million, including $14.68 million on 8,327 screens in 71 markets this past weekend. With no major markets left to open in, there are just a few milestones worth keeping an eye on. Firstly, will it reach $1 billion worldwide? With $987.27 million at the end of the weekend, it is very likely the answer to that will be yes. Next, will it reach $100 million in Japan? This past weekend it added $3.91 million on 801 screens for a total of $95.43 million, so again that milestone is well within grasp. The final is $800 million internationally. That could be out of reach.

X-Men: First Class held on well despite no new major markets, down less than 40% to $13.16 million on 6,914 million in 68 markets over the weekend for a total of $187.30 million internationally and $320.20 million worldwide. While it didn't do as well as the rest of the franchise domestically, it is about to become only the second film in the X-men franchise to reach $200 million internationally behind Last Stand.

Beginning Of The Great Revival expanded dramatically in China earning $12.94 million on 1,593 screens over the weekend for a total of $34.38 million.

Bad Teacher entered this chart for the first time in its run with $12.39 million on 1,531 screens in 21 markets for a total of $17.77 after just two weeks of release. The film opened in first place in Germany with $5.25 million on 449 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $5.67 million. Meanwhile in the U.K., the film slipped from third to fourth with $1.69 million on 427 screens over the weekend for a two-week total of $6.94 million.

Fellow R-rated comedy Bridesmaids also made its debut on this list this week with $11.32 million on 1,204 screens in 11 markets for a total of $21.13 million so far. It opened in first place in the U.K. with $5.49 million on 482 screens. Meanwhile in Australia, it was down just 11% to $3.84 million on 372 screens over the weekend for a two-week total of $12.39 million. Taking into account the size of the two markets, that's like earning more than $100 million here. On the other hand, the film only managed fourth place in Russia with $1.35 million on 331 screens, which suggests the film might not translate well.

Super 8 was the last market of note this weekend with $10.09 million on 2,458 screens in 29 markets for a still relatively early running tally of $35.83 million. The film had to settle for second place in Japan, but it still opened with a healthy figure of $3.81 million on 520 screens over the weekend and a total of $4.86 million. The film was down 61% during its second weekend in Russia, which is roughly average for that market. It added $1.67 million on 840 screens to its running tally, which now sits at $7.38 million.


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Filed under: International Box Office, The Hangover Part II, Kung Fu Panda 2, Cars 2, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Bridesmaids, Bad Teacher, X-Men: First Class, Super 8