International Top Five: Avatar Laps Nearest Competition

March 3, 2010

For the eleventh weekend in a row, Avatar was the biggest draw at the international box office, but this week its win was extra special. Over the weekend it made $39.75 million on 7247 screens in 70 markets for a total of $1.85 billion internationally. This is more than Titanic made worldwide, meaning the film has in effect lapped its nearest competition. Additionally, it has reached $2.56 billion worldwide, which is an astounding number. To put this in perspective, this would be enough for the film to earn seventh place on the list of highest grossing franchises worldwide, and it will likely top Batman and Pirates of the Caribbean with ease. The film has set records in many major markets, including Italy, France, and South Korea, while it is creeping up on $100 million in Spain, Australia, and Italy to go along with the seven other markets where it has already reached that milestone.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief remained in second place with $19.46 million on 6759 screens in 65 markets for a total of $95.84 million internationally after just three weeks of release. The film opened in second place in Japan with $3.41 million on 561 screens over the weekend and $4.16 million in total. Its final major market is Italy, where it opens in a couple weeks. It will likely start slipping down the chart quickly after that.

Shutter Island climbed into third place with $13.94 million on 2716 screens in 22 markets for a total of $36.56 million. The film opened in first place in France with an estimated $6.8 million on 522 screens. It had to settle for second place in Germany, though it opened with a still strong $3.72 million on 473 screens over the weekend for a total of $4.02 million. Meanwhile, in Spain the film remained in first place with $2.17 million on 406 screens over the weekend for a total of $6.19 million after two.

The Wolf Man remained in fourth place for the third weekend in a row, adding $11.06 million on 4494 screens in 56 markets for a total of $62.58 million internationally and $119.96 million worldwide. It climbed into second place during its first full weekend in Russia with $1.25 million on 521 screens, which gave it $3.25 million in total. Meanwhile, it remained in first place in Mexico with $1.13 million on 469 screens over the weekend for a total of $8.89 million after three weeks of release.

Valentine's Day nearly fell out of the top five with $10.69 million on 4247 screens in 61 markets for a total of $88.80 million after three weeks of release. Without major market openings over the weekend, the film fell more than 50%, but it should still have no trouble getting to $100 million internationally and $200 million worldwide, perhaps has quickly as this time next week.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Shutter Island, The Wolfman, Valentine's Day, Avatar