Harry Potter Holds Off New Competition / Euro 2004 to Win

June 22, 2004

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban still leads the pack internationally despite increased competition from fellow family friendly film Shrek 2 and from Euro 2004 coverage. With an additional $44.9 million from over 10,000 screens in 48 territories, including number one openings in 7 mostly minor markets. The lone exception was Spain, which added $6.1 million to Harry Potter's coffers, and that number would have been higher had it not been for Sunday's Spain Portugal soccer match. Internationally, the film has earned almost $270 million so far and is still tracking ahead of the other films in the Harry Potter Franchise, but with greater week-to-week drop-offs it is unlikely to finish quite as high. Worldwide the film has already pulled in $450 million making it the second highest grossing film of the year.

Shrek 2 first major foray into foreign markets proved very successful. Not only did the film earn $32.2 million over the weekend, it broke several records doing so, including topping Finding Nemo's debuts in all but one market, (Brazil.) It's a little too early to had Shrek the Worldwide Animation crown as the film has only taken in less than $40 million, albeit very early in its run.

Earning $20.5 million on 7600 screen in 112 markets helped The Day After Tomorrow just stay ahead of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the international race, $275 million to $269 million. Worldwide, the film has topped $400 million, the fourth film to do so this year.

Warner Bros. has to be disappointed with Troy's domestic numbers. However, it has more than made up for that internationally where it pulled in $11.4 million from more than 4,700 screens in 59 markets this weekend. That pushed its international total to $313.1 million, which was already the best for the year.

Rounding out the top five is Mean Girls, which started its international campaign in just three markets. The film earn almost all of its $2.9 million in the U.K., where it took in $2.5 million on 366 screens. The film also had strong openings in Russia and Portugal.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Shrek 2, Finding Nemo, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Day After Tomorrow, Troy, Mean Girls