International Box Office: Journey to the Top
February 15, 2012
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island climbed into first place with $30.0 million on 8,580 screens in 30 markets for a total of $79.20 million. To put this into perspective, its predecessor made $140 million in total, which is a figure this film could match, even if it didn't have any additional markets left to open in. Its biggest opening this weekend was in China where it earned $9.5 million, while it was also a big hit in Russia with $6.97 million on 1,021 screens. The film debuts in France and Spain this weekend, and has yet to open in Italy, Germany, Japan, and other markets.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D opened in second place with $20.45 million on 5,083 screens in 59 markets. It did quite well in a few major markets. For instance, it scored second place in Germany with $3.92 million on 489 screens, including some pre-weekend numbers. But overall, its per screen average and its screens per market were not great. However, 3D films don't have the infrastructure in a lot of international markets like they have here. So instead of a 40 / 60 domestic / international split, which is very common for most films, a split of 60 / 40 is more likely. That said, The Phantom Menace is on pace to hit $100 million worldwide during its 3D re-release, which it will push its worldwide total above $1 billion. It is also more than enough to ensure the other installments in the franchise will be converted on a yearly basis.
Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol fell to third place with $11.82 million on 4,563 screens in 50 markets and now has $446.92 million internationally and $653.43 million worldwide. It is coasting on holders, but it is a massive hit and should be a success on the home market as well.
Safe House started in fourth place with $10.07 million on 1,592 screens in 25 markets. It opened in a trio of major markets earning first place in Spain with $2.32 million on 335 screens. It had to settle for second place in Australia with $2.93 million on 234 screens and third place in Russia with $1.46 million on 421.
The Vow just missed the $10 million mark with $9.56 million on 1,414 screens in 20 markets over the weekend, but with midweek numbers its total opening was $10.29 million. Its best opening came in Australia where it topped the chart with $3.02 million on 209 screens over the weekend for a total of $3.25 million. It had to settle for third place in Germany with $1.99 million on 299 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $2.36 million. It only managed fourth place in the U.K. with $1.73 million on 319 screens and in Mexico with $694,000 on 335.
It was a milestone week for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, as it added $8.21 million on 3,604 screens in 61 markets and now has $110.35 million internationally and $211.16 million worldwide. Assuming it does well on the home market, it should earn a profit sooner rather than later, but adapting the other two installments is a bit of a risk.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows also reached a milestone topping $500 million worldwide. Over the weekend it made $5.2 million on 3,045 screens in 53 markets for totals of $320.0 million internationally and $504.6 million worldwide.
Filed under: International Box Office, Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol, Safe House, The Vow, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island